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The
Role of the Laity in the Selection of Pastors
from Joe O’Callaghan, VOTF Bridgeport, CT
[Ed: Joe O’Callaghan circulated
a brief reminder to members when he learned of the forced resignation of
Walter Cuenin as pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians, Newton, MA.]
I think this points up
the importance of one of the five proposals for structural change that VOTF
in the Diocese of Bridgeport presented last December and in the ensuing months.
2. The Role of the Faithful
in the Selection of their Pastors. The sexual abuse of children by predatory
priests emphasizes the right to parishioners to be fully informed of the
background of a prospective pastor or associate pastor. The candidate should
be interviewed and approved by an elected parish personnel committee. Once
the committee gives consent the bishop should make the appointment, thus
testifying to the catholicity of the Church.
The full text of that
proposal details a process for interviewing a prospective pastor and approving
him. The short version and the longer one can be accessed at our web
site.
The peremptory removal
of Fr. Cuenin and the equally peremptory appointment of Fr. Coyne emphasize
how important it is for parishioners to insist on their right to be involved
in both decisions. As other pastors (and associates) will also be moved over
time, parishes should prepare for that eventuality by developing a plan for
interviewing candidates, etc.
In the OLHC case, when
Fr. Coyne arrives the parishioners might meet him to assess his qualifications
and background and determine whether they will accept him or not.
My best wishes to everyone
there. This arbitrary exercise of power by the archdiocese is exactly the
sort of thing that will turn off our young people.
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