IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY
Notes From Jim Post’s Visit to Phoenix and Tucson, September, 2003

Reprinted with Permission from In the Vineyard

I recently visited our VOTF affiliates in Phoenix and Tucson (September 17-18, 2003). The reception from Arizonans was as warm as the weather itself (102 degrees in Phoenix; only 96 in Tucson). Both dioceses have a sad history of clergy sexual abuse cases, and each is now under new leadership. To VOTF members who live in dioceses where bishops refuse to openly address the challenge of healing, these two Western dioceses offer a message of hope: “It doesn't have to be that way.”

A Diocese in Transition

Our VOTF leaders in Phoenix arranged for us to meet with Sr. Mary Ann Winters, Chancellor of the Diocese. Sr. Mary Ann has served under Bishop Thomas O'Brien and Archbishop Michael Sheehan, who is currently doing double duty as bishop of both Santa Fe and Phoenix. She is likely to serve during the transition to the next bishop of Phoenix (expected later this year).

VOTF leaders Sandy Simonson, Chris Long, Jim Lawler, and I discussed the situation in Phoenix with Sr. Mary Ann. We focused on the challenge of being a “diocese in transition” and the steps being taken to facilitate healing (there are 18 cases pending). Sr. Mary Ann wanted to discuss how VOTF affiliates will be "integrated" with existing parish structures (parish councils, finance councils, and diocesan structures). We finished up on a positive note, stressing the readiness of VOTF to work with the new bishop who will face a complex agenda of problems.

A Model of Openness

The Diocese of Tucson had serious problems when Bishop Gerald F. Kicanis arrived from Chicago. His arrival signaled the beginning of a turnaround. I knew that important steps were being taken in Tucson, but was still a bit surprised.

The meeting with Bishop Kicanas was very constructive. The Diocese of Tucson has taken some pathbreaking steps to reach survivors, operate openly, and open the doors to laity involvement. It's not Nirvana (to mix metaphors), but Tucson may be providing important lessons to the nation on these matters. Bishop Kicanis has implemented a code of conduct, new personnel policies, training, and public disclosure (see www.diocesetucson.org), including the summary report of the USCCB-National Review Board audit.

Bishop Kicanis concluded by saying that he was pleased to be "in dialogue" with VOTF and is supportive of what we are doing for the Church. As in Phoenix, we discussed how VOTF will relate to parish structures and encourage active lay involvement. I believe the bishop sees us as faithful Catholics whose efforts are good for the Church. He specifically asked for ideas to improve "structures of communication" and "structures of laity involvement". Our local VOTF members will continue the dialogue, perhaps drawing ideas from our national Structural Change Working Group.

We have wonderful people in Phoenix and Tucson. They have been working to promote VOTF and to address serious problems in each diocese. Phoenix will be "in transition" for at least a year. There is the heavy legacy of problems from Bishop O'Brien's era.

Sandy Simonson, our VOTF coordinator, has been a clear, eloquent voice for young Catholics who want the Chruch to serve their children and adults. While in Phoenix, I also had the pleasure of speaking at the Newman Center at Arizona State University and meeting dozens of VOTF members and supporters. This is the nucleus of an affiliate we hope will be effective in encouraging positive change.

Tucson's group is in dialogue with the bishop and has knowledgeable leaders. Terry Carden is a retired physician from Chicago who once served on accreditation teams that evaluated and certified large hospital systems. Terry is savvy about how institutions work and what it takes to effect change happen in large bureaucratic systems. Persistence, responsiveness, and consistency. And prayer.

That's who we are and that's why the trip to Arizona was so encouraging. As in other dioceses, there is a "can do" attitude toward shaping change. If you become discouraged at the slow pace of change in your own parish or diocese, take heart from the experience of VOTF members in Phoenix and Tucson. And remind your bishop or pastor, “It does NOT have to be that way!”