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"Problems Facing the US Catholic Church Today"

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On Sunday, April 14, 2002, Pastor Gerry Creedon hosted a dialogue on the current problems facing the Catholic church today. This document presents the major points during the discussion.

Scriptures: Luke 7, 39-42 ; Ezekiel 34,1-16

• While there are many aspects to the upheaval in the Catholic Church today a central issue is the abuse of children and minors. The experience of abuse especially at the hands of those who represent the church destroys basic trust, affects self confidence and is compounded by the tendency to blame the victim. Years of private shame postpone disclosure and healing.
  
  
• There are multiple levels of victims: those who directly experienced sexual abuse, their families and loved ones, those who have experienced a loss of trust in the church as an institution as a result of related disclosures, the perpetrators themselves whose ultimate best interests may have been displaced by the need for "institutional preservation" and those within the priestly community who remain faithful to their commitments but nonetheless may be associated in the minds of some with the perpetrators of criminal behavior.
  
  
• There is a need for truth, accountability and apology. There is also a strong call for the protection and safety of others.
  
  
• In the case of the situation in Boston, where Cardinal Law describes himself as "a lightening rod" on the issue, criminal patterns of serial misconduct were dealt with through relocation letters of support and a lack of disclosure. Some felt that he needed to resign in order to affirm the church's serious commitment to addressing this situation.
  
  
• As Eugene Kennedy pointed out in a recent Post article ["Casualties in the Pursuit of Holiness," March 24, 2002], lawyers and psychologists focused their efforts less on the protection of victims than on the reputation of the Church institution. The hierarchy relied more on cover up than the power of truth. The Synod of Bishops document, "Justice in the World (1972)" proclaims that the work of justice is constitutive to the task of evangelization. Justice needs to be in evidence in the Church's own lifestyle.
  
  
• Lawyers serving the church need to focus on human rights and the public interest and should place the needs of the vulnerable before the interests of the institution. Bishops need to act as Cardinal Bernardin did: trusting less in the cautious advice of experts and more in his own pastoral instinct for the truth.
  
  
• We also need clear policies and a willingness to apply them vigorously. [The Arlington diocese policy was developed in 1991. A copy of the policy is available at the entrance to the church.] The question of reporting to civil authorities and the way dioceses will assess "credible evidence" was aired.
  
  
• The discussion touched on the need to have a fresh look and thorough review of seminary admissions and training and the requirement for mandatory celibacy in the light of the lack of availability of the eucharist in some regions, and the benefits of greater inclusion of the gifts of women and married men in the universal Church.
  
  
• The role of women and the question of girl altar servers were raised in the context of recognizing the diverse and God-given talents and perspectives of women and their ability to promote the quintessential work of the church.
  
  
• The priority need to protect children rather than the perpetrators was strongly asserted. The need to clarify and publish procedures at a parish level to protect children was asserted. The need for the exclusion from ministry, punishment or possible rehabilitation of pedophiles was discussed.
  
  
• The need for open dialogue within dioceses across the country and at the highest levels within the hierarchy of the church was called for and the need to include laity in developing policy and applying it was asserted.
  
  
• The question of "judging the past through the eyes of the present" was raised, although it was asserted that problems of pedophilia were likely current as well as historical.
  
  
• The need to follow up with feedback and recommendations to the NCCB Committee on this question in advance of their June Meeting was suggested. The Role of the Apostolic Delegate overseeing the US Church was clarified.
  
  
• Although difficult perhaps to fully appreciate, it was observed that this moment in the history of the church could provide an opportunity by the Holy Spirit for enlightenment, reconciliation, renewal, rebirth and growth of Catholicism and the workings of the church in the United States.

The discussion extended over two hours. In closing, the parishioners resoundingly noted their appreciation of the opportunity to dialogue on this issue with their pastor.

The following hand-outs were distributed to those present and are also available in the St. Charles library:

1. "Casualties in the pursuit of Holiness," by Eugene Kennedy, The Washington Post, March 24, 2002.
2. "Palm Sunday Homily: Christ's Passion, headlines, reminds us that sin is real, within, outside of Church," by Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., March 23-24, 2002, delivered in each parish in the Archdiocese of Denver.
3. "In this Diocese, the Policy Has Long Been Clear," by Peter Daly, The Washington Post, March 24, 2002.
4. "The State of the Church."
5. "Bishops' June Meeting to Address Sexual Abuse of Minors Problem," Origins, March 28, 2002.

(Washingtonpost.com offers the above newspaper articles in their online archives, but only for a fee because more than 14 days have passed since their initial publication.)

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or 2002 Homilies
 
Revised/reviewed April 17, 2002