| Structural Change |
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| This excerpt attempts to clarify the focus of "VOTF Goal #3 -- to shape structural change within the Church" |
| "...Voice of the Faithful's members -- including Religious Education teachers, Parish Council members, lay ministers, women religious, parents, daily communicants, and faithful sisters and brothers in Christ -- have a clear mission: 'To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church.' Our three goals address the effects and root causes of the sexual abuse crisis: * Goal 1 is to support those who have been abused (victim/survivors); * Goal 2 is to support priests of integrity (who are faithfully living their vows); and * Goal 3 is to shape structural change within the Church (to ensure that such a crisis never again befalls our Church). We believe that the role of the laity is central to correcting the causes of the current crisis. Without substantial and meaningful laity involvement, there is no prospect for effectively ending the crisis and healing a Church that has suffered the deep wounds of betrayed trust. Outreach efforts to victim/surivors of sexual abuse emphasize the importance of listening to those who have been abused and respecting these victims of injustice. We also grieve for the thousands of clergy who are demoralized as the loss of trust and confidence in one another. The commitment to healing these wounds must emanate from each of us and we must do it together... The structural change we seek (Goal 3) is designed to support our efforts in pursuit of Goals 1 & 2. ...human behavior is shaped by the systems and structures of the organization in which one lives and works. The record clearly reveals that institutional mismanagement of personnel, information and money contributed to the sexual abuse crisis. We have asked, what structures must be changed to help ensure such a crisis never again befalls our Church. Voice of the Faithful has been working since July, 2002 to articulate what we mean by shaping structural change within the teachings of the Church. We have prepared an initial Working Paper and have included it with this letter and invite your thoughtful and comments and suggestions. Our recommendations... prepared by a group of parishioners from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania... arise from a deep love of the Church, and a desire to strengthen it by using the gifts God has given us... the changes we propose focus on improved implementation of existing provisions for lay involvement in parish and diocesan councils. They are meant to build up the Church through healthy collaboration, and are firmly within the vision of the Church that you and your brother Bishops have provided to us. We seek a dialogue on how bishops, priests and laity can implement these recommendations together, and on how we can work effectively and collaboratively with our pastors to bring about a more active and meaningful participation of the laity on the praish level. We realize that sound education in the teachings of the Church is urgently needed to support the changes that we seek. We solicit your guidance as to how to make this education available to clergy and laity alike. Our work on defining Goal 3 is just beginning, and we invite your assitance in moving it in the right direction. The question to ask is, 'how can we ensure that such a crisis does not occur again?'... We pray that we can work together for an end to conflict and a new beginning through our heartfelt efforts to build up the Body of Christ. Our Church has undergone a year of terrible pain and aniguish. All Catholics -- clergy and laity alike -- are hurting from the loss of trust and confidence in one another. The commitment to healing these wounds must emanate from each of us and we must work together...." |
| The Structural Change group has been working hard to clarify and define their beliefs as to the focus on VOTF's stated Goal #3. The opinions and beliefs expressed during these weekly sessions have been amassed and brought to the larger nationally represented committee for discussion. This work is continuing and in the spirit of openness and inclusion, the following excerpt is from Jim Post's letter to Bishop Lennon upon his assignment as interim administrator for the Archdiocese of Boston. |