Bishop Robinson’s U. S. Visit

The Bishop Confronts Power;
the Magisterium Confronts the Bishop

Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, the recently retired auxiliary bishop of Sydney, Australia, and author of a book critical of the Church’s handling of clergy sexual abuse (Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus), is in the U.S. to promote his book. Meanwhile, back at home, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference had this to say about the book: “The book’s questioning of the authority of the Church is connected to Bishop Robinson’s uncertainty about the knowledge and authority of Christ himself. Catholics believe that the Church, founded by Christ, is endowed by him with a teaching office which endures through time. This is why the Church’s Magisterium teaches the truth authoritatively in the name of Christ. The book casts doubt upon these teachings.” For the full statement, click here.

Subsequent to the above notice, Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles wrote to Bishop Robinson (May 9) forbidding the bishop from speaking in that diocese; he advised Bishop Robinson to cancel his entire tour of the U.S. For the VOTF reaction to Cardinal Mahony’s statement, click here. For additional coverage on the Bishop Robinson visit, and for all of the above original texts (Cardinal Mahony’s letter, Bishop Robinson’s reply to the Australian bishops, VOTF statements on one page) – go to http://tomorrowstrust.ca/?p=1972.

The Bishop will be speaking at many VOTF affiliates and other organizations/groups. What follows is the upcoming itinerary and contact information such as we know it:

May 22, Long Island NY/ philmegna@earthlink.net, paongael@optonline.net

May 28, Paulist Center, Boston MA/debber@beld.net

May 29, VOTF Boston MA: St. Susanna Parish, Dedham MA/benhar@earthlink.net

June 5, Cleveland OH, FutureChurch/chris@futurechurch.org, or emily@futurechurch.org

June 7, Seattle WA, CTA/: tombethill@comcast.net

June 10, San Diego CA, Univ. of California Faculty Club/Richard Sipe, Fr. Thomas Doyle and Patrick Wall at awrsipe@san.rr.com

June 11, VOTF CA Orange County CA/sdzida@dcslaw.com

June 12, Culver City CA, CTA; IHM; VOTF; Dignity/ Tom Honoré at 310-559-7577