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"According to the New York Times, 'The nation's
Roman Catholic bishops approved a statement on Friday
on "Catholics in Political Life" that brands politicians
who support abortion rights as "cooperating in evil"
and leaves the door open for bishops to deny communion
to such lawmakers.'
It's too bad they didn't include in their statement
the bishops who transferred and sheltered pedophiles,
because those bishops certainly "cooperated in evil,"
they even facilitated it.
The bishops should have suggested that their own members
should be forbidden to take communion until they had
examined their consciences, including their 'fidelity
to the moral teaching of the church in personal and
public life.'
The article also stated that 'The bishops also asserted
unequivocally that "the Catholic community and Catholic
institutions" should not give "awards, honors or platforms"
to Catholics who "act in defiance of our fundamental
moral principles." Of course that statement did not
refer to the Pope's giving Cardinal Law the title of
Archpriest of the Roman basilica of St. Mary Major.
Are we the only ones who see our Church doing things
that it condemns? Are we the only ones who see a double
standard being applied, one for the clergy and another
for the laity?" Bill Scott
"Re your mention in the June issue of 'at will' employment
policy in various parishes and dioceses:
Our vicar came in to our school office with an auxiliary
bishop two years ago, middle of June, and told the principal
he wasn't going to have his contract renewed. He was
told he'd have a review. Nobody from the Chancery ever
called him about when the review would be. He found
out minutes before the review, made it over (it was
just in the parish office), virtually had no questions
answered, and his contract was not renewed. Our parish
council sent documents to the chancery, phone calls
were made. Nobody could do anything because what the
vicar and bishop did was outside the 'process.' As a
result, we had no recourse and lost our most wonderful
principal. Our enrollment went from 250 (which took
us 4-5 years to build) back down to about 110.
They also summarily sent our pastor at the time to
another parish. Our pastor also could do nothing. Understanding
priests are reassigned regularly, this wasn't quite
as big an issue, but there was no warning. Thank God
we received a wonderful new pastor - but we wonder about
the "process."
There were many other incidents that demonstrate just
how 'power corrupts.' This is why I'm a VOTF member."
Caroline M. Ezop
"As a PGK and GDK-Elect of a K of C council in the
Brooklyn diocese, the same diocese who had the illustrious
privilege of having ex-Bostonian Bishop Thomas Daily
at the helm, I, too, am still profoundly amazed at the
sterling silence from K of C Supreme Headquarters in
New Haven, CT.
Amazed as it regards both the issue of priestly misconduct
and the alleged cover-ups of same by various members
of the hierarchy, as well as having a tainted member
of the hierarchy serving as Supreme Chaplain. The acquiescence
by silence of the K of C 'dignitaries' in these situations
is perplexing, but does serve as perhaps the ultimate
example of ignorance is bliss, and an example of how
some people's actions can mirror those of the lemming
as they saunter over the cliff.
And while it may be analogous to re-arranging the deck
chairs on the HMS Titanic, the notion that there was
nobody with sufficient PR savvy to suggest that Bishop
Thomas Daily submit his resignation as Supreme Chaplain
of the K of C, even if for 'personal reasons,' and timed
to coincide with the submission of his letter of resignation
to the Holy Father, is a stellar example of just how
far out of touch some of the supremely ignorant can
be. It's disgusting, it's a disservice to the good name
of Fr. Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the K of
C, and it's insulting to the membership.
That said, I have decided to remain in the K of C,
if for no other reasons than that I like my fellow Brothers
and it's better to be inside looking around and seeing
first hand what is going on-working for change, than
it is to be on the outside, looking in, voiceless, but
for the Voice of the Faithful and its courageous members."
Edward B. (Woody) Ryder IV, PGK
"Thank you for your wonderful service. Parishes are
closing because of the imposition of monastic celibacy
on the parish clergy - something that was not done during
much of early Church history. Isn't the caste system
(hierarchy, clergy, laity) dysfunctional for the Body
of Christ and for the telling of the Good News of Jesus
to all nations? Shouldn't the words of consecration
at the Lord's Supper simply be said by the whole group
together?" Dr. Bernard Lammers, Professor of Public
Law &Government, St. Lawrence University, Canton NY
"It is well past the time for Catholics to stop seeing
themselves as victims of an uncaring hierarchy as regards
church closings, and time to step up and take some control
of their parishes. The planned closings present a clear
opportunity for the laity to begin to exert control
over the governance of their church. Success in achieving
such a meaningful structural change could provide the
model for long-term health and well being of the Church.
Those parishes that are affected should organize and
plan to either buy the church buildings or find alternative
space that they can rent for Mass and other liturgical
functions. If the church is truly its people and not
just a collection of buildings, this is the time for
leaders to step forward and work with lay people and
clergy to decide the direction they want to take. Involvement
of the clergy should be strongly encouraged and would
be represent a real partnership of two parts of the
Church that have not always been in perfect harmony.
Some parishes have significant wealth; most if not
all of them have educated parishioners who are capable
of leading and guiding such an effort. This in no way
implies any infringement on the authority of the clergy
in matters of faith and morals, but it clearly means
a strong leadership role for the laity in the governance
of the Church at the parish level. As has been pointed
out in Vatican II, Catholics have a right and responsibility
for their Church - what better time to begin to exercise
that responsibility.
VOTF can be a catalyst in the effort to lead such a
change. As a member of VOTF I would urge all parishes,
not just those currently impacted by church closings,
to consider taking a stronger role in the governance
of their parishes. If people truly want to retain their
parish, they have the opportunity to work to make this
happen.
The planned closings are also an opportunity for VOTF
to demonstrate strong leadership in driving needed change
in the church. Structural change is one of VOTF's stated
goals; now is the time to give it real meaning." Mike
Duhigg
Peter Kaufman, VOTF Melbourne, Australia submitted
to the Vineyard his letter published in The Age in Melbourne
in response to the Salesian order's move out of the jurisdiction
of Victoria a priest charged with sex abuse. Peter notes
that two more offenders have since come to light.
"Rogue priests must not evade the law: Australian
members of Voice of the Faithful welcome your editorial
(23/6) calling for Catholic Church authorities to deal
with priests charged with crimes in accordance with
the law. The Church has, on several occasions in the
past, moved clergy beyond the reach of civil authorities
when allegations have been raised about crimes such
as sexual assault. It is as though some Church authorities
are living in a parallel universe in which criminal
law does not apply to them. In this alternative world,
indecent assault, rape and other crimes become 'sexual
or professional misconduct' or 'moments of weakness.'
With cavalier disregard for the wider community that
the Church claims to serve, the Church moves offenders
beyond reach of the law. Voice of the Faithful are Catholics
who want our Church to be healthy. We want to change
the way some things are done so that everyone in the
Church is accountable and, hence, responsible. We urge
our Church leaders to review the way appointments are
made, consult communities and help restore our pride
in the Church." Peter Kaufman, Altona Meadows.
Voice
of the Faithful, VOTF, "Keep the Faith, Change the Church,"
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Prayerful Voice are trademarks of Voice of the Faithful,
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