SUGGESTED ACTIONS

Sounding Boards
Foundational to all our efforts is the way clergy and laity relate to each other. In order to better understand our respective roles, we have initiated Sounding Boards in various parts of the diocese. Sounding Boards are small informal gatherings of an equal number of clergy and laity, initially formed to determine how we can be most effective in our support of priests in their ministry. Since listening to each other is critical to understanding, sounding boards signify the importance of hearing one another. Key to every Sounding Board meeting is beginning and ending with prayer and listening. It is increasingly apparent that our support must be mutual, and that providing opportunities to relate to each other in new ways will encourage collaboration and help to rebuild trust in the church. We need our priests as much as they need us - to stand up for each other and to speak the truth with compassion.

Summary Report: First Sounding Board
Our first Sounding Board was held on October 17, 2002. We had learned from the victims of abuse that they preferred being called "survivors." We knew that before we could support our priests, we had to hear their needs first. We always work in collaboration with the Coordinators of Parish Voice affiliates with the Membership Committee.

The first meeting included five priests and 10 laypersons (four of the priests were not able to attend). We asked the questions, "How can we support priests?" and, "What five things would you wish for?" We heard the following comments in response:

• "Work to accomplish our agenda within the official Church, and avoid the kind of polarization that could easily happen in today's charged atmosphere."
• "Energize large numbers of people to want to take a greater role in the life of the Church."
• "Raise consciousness about the role of the layperson in the life of the Church today, which requires education and imagination."
• "Avoid being patronizing: diocesan priests are not monks or part of a religious order."
• "Be sensitive to the fact that the local parish is where the rubber meets the road for most Catholics, and that the local pastor is often times overwhelmed, understaffed, overworked, and underpaid."
• "The common ground on which collaboration can move forward is the universal call to holiness."
• "Keep doing what you're doing."
• "Develop mutual trust in a working relationship."
• "Thank you for asking us."

We also learned how low many of the priests are feeling: isolated, misunderstood, self-conscious when in public with a Roman collar, "one telephone call away from being kicked out of the rectory," overextended. Some expressed discomfort with the wording of "priests of integrity" because it was seen as judgmental and potentially divisive.

Conclusions

1. On the Web site, a discussion of "what is meant by priests of integrity" was posted. Alternative wording was requested. There has been some response and a few alternate suggestions: "To support clergy" or "to support priests in their ministry" or "to support priests faithful to the mission of the Church."
2. Future Sounding Boards would draw priests who live in the same region, and would have a more focused agenda.
3. Since meeting with these priests, ongoing dialogue has continued via phone calls and emails.

Summary Report: Second Sounding Board
The second Sounding Board was held on February 11, 2003. Six priests and seven lay people attended (12 other priests were interested but had schedule conflicts).

This meeting had focus questions that were sent out before the meeting (attached at end of this report). One priest was hesitant to embrace VOTF, while the others were very supportive. The voices of those who question the goals and motives of VOTF are valuable and need to be heard in these sessions.

Comments heard:

• "We really need you guys. Don't be discouraged and don't back away. I am excited to hear this conversation and want it to go on."
• "The number of members seems to have stagnated at 25, 000. Is there any growth? If there is, it needs to be publicized."
• "Our training led us to be afraid to speak up to authority."
• "My urban parish seems to be running smoothly because the laity have responded well. However, very shortly, I will be all alone when I lose the other two priests. Tell me, what does this mean for now and the future?"
• "There has always been a longstanding separation dividing the priests and the laity. And now how can we restore the credibility we once had? People still want and need the sacraments. Priests are not seen by and among the people as they used to be. Also, there is a real gap between older and younger priests."
• "There has been real confusion for decades following Church Councils. This is no different. Although, I see in some places, there is a rise in vocations. Could it be because it is now some kind of challenge? I am not sold on VOTF, but there should never be a shut down of anything without serious discussion."
• "Priests are told/trained to be servants but with ordination they are given power, and service and power become confused."
• "We don't know how to deal with power. We go from serving to being pastor. We need to know teamwork, how to listen to all points of view. Transparency is necessary. Some priests are really present to people. Others withdraw. 'Outward Bound' is an example of how to learn teamwork."
• "We are the church, but people in authority set the tone."
• "Very few people or priests give themselves permission to speak."
• "I shouldn't have to, but I do give permission to people to think for themselves. It is wonderful to free them … it's one of the things I like the best about my priesthood, the opportunity to liberate people."
• "Encourage transparency not just in money matters."
• "There is a defensiveness in the hierarchy and priests."
• "Declericalization needs to happen."
• "I feel like I'm on the Charles River in a sailboat. It's foggy, there's wind, it's a pastel situation - blues, grays, no bright colors."
• "Collaboration is not possible if the priest is not a team player, regardless of his theology."

Conclusions

1. The benefits of meetings like this are intangible. But there is a sense that we have much to offer each other. It starts with listening. This group plans to continue discussions.
2. These meetings will continue in the southern region of the Boston Diocese. They could be going on in all regions of the Archdiocese. The next meeting is planned for the Central Region in May.
3. Support needs to be mutual: We need to support our priests by speaking up for them, and they need to do the same for us, especially if we are to grow in numbers.

Sample Agenda for a Sounding Board

A. Welcome and Opening Prayer

B. Introductions

Listening: hopes and realities

C. Starting Points - Suggested Focus Questions

1. How can Voice of the Faithful assist in protection of priests' rights and how can priests publicly support the rights of VOTF to truly share in the governance of the church?
2. Have you heard a survivor tell their story? Have you been part of a healing Mass or prayer service?
3. What steps can be taken to facilitate open communication and collaboration among the hierarchy, the clergy and the laity in order to enhance the growth of our Church?
4. In an address given at Marquette University, Dan Maguire said the following: "Catholic theology is at its healthiest when the search for truth rests on a tripod: the hierarchy, the theologians and the faithful." Would you support a coalition of clergy, theologians, and laity in Boston? How could this be promoted and accomplished?
5. "We shall insist on the right, where we think it is important for the good of the Church, to argue positions at variance with those that are presently official." (Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.) Is "faithful dissent" possible in the Church today? How?

D. Closing Remarks

Summary and possible action
Next steps?

E. Closing Prayer