Holy conversation

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes

Divisions among laity, and between laity and clergy, have seemingly become indelible characteristics of the post-Vatican II era. Perhaps this is understandable as people accept change differently, with varied speeds and emotional reactions. This is especially the case when it comes to matters as personal as spirit, faith and church.

We've reported many times in recent years the layers of suspicion and acrimony with which lay initiatives have been received by local bishops. The resultant conflicts have for all too long been dispiriting. Our collective aim as church is to build spirit by imaging the spirit, and to come together to better place ourselves at the service of a hurting humanity.

While we are all too aware of our failings, it is especially uplifting to witness the works of a small but energetic group of Catholics who are witnessing the gospel as they endeavor to nurture it in their parishes.

Sure, the final fruits of the recent San Francisco lay convocation won't be measurable for some time. That said, the gathering has already borne fruit because of the spirit in which the organizers planned and carried out their activities. From the start, they were unflinchingly respectful of people's different views and inclusive in their conduct.

Catholic Online School mobile app is coming

These lay organizers somehow understood that while they could never be assured of the outcome of their efforts, they could control the means by which they carried them out.

They didn't approach the task as a group of angry people wanting to "get the other side." Instead they tried to model the nonviolence of Jesus as taught by Pace e Bene and the Marshall Rosenberg's Center for Nonviolent Communication. Lead organizer Lisa Striebing said it well: "We sought respectful conversation with people. Holy conversation, if you will."

The San Francisco lay synod story, then, is as much a celebration of means as it is of ends. Both Pace e Bene and the Center for Nonviolent Communication teach personal and social transformation through active nonviolent practices.

Pace e Bene was formed in 1989 by a small group of Franciscans, among others, with a mission to teach practical nonviolence. Transformational communication, Pace e Bene maintains, takes place through a four-step process: centering oneself, articulating one's piece of truth, receiving another's piece of the truth and agreeing on a new way. The Center for Nonviolent Communication holds that when it comes to transformational communication, "first and foremost, compassionate connection, rather than being tied to a specific outcome" is to be the goal. In both instances, we see human dignity and human respect where they belong: as the centerpieces of Christian dialogue.

Speaking about the practices of nonviolent communication, Striebing explains: "In this kind of conversation, one doesn't back down from stating his or her own feelings and needs, but one also listens carefully - and with an open heart - to the feelings and needs of the other party."

The San Francisco lay organizers, echoing Striebing, made inclusiveness and compassionate listening hallmarks of their work. And it appeared to be contagious.

They contacted all sorts of Catholics, inviting conservatives and progressives alike. They reached out to clergy at all levels, making especially certain that their local bishop knew and understood their intentions. They asked for episcopal blessings, not permissions. Those permissions, were they needed, were already in their baptismal rights.

After bringing San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer well into the loop, he surprised them a bit by offering them the use of the San Francisco cathedral. Archbishop Niederauer later joined in their discussions and wrote a column about the convocation in the archdiocesan newspaper.

In this time of social and religious division, we are reminded in deeds as well as in words that Jesus' teachings of nonviolence and compassionate living are core to the Christian faith. The San Francisco synod organizers deserve credit and our support. Perhaps the best way we can honor them is to make them examples as we move forward taking on greater leadership roles, as lay leaders, in our church.

Embrace your Faith

Finally, let's hope, at least in this instance, that Professor Potter was right.

Contact

The Christophers
http://www.christophers.org ,
- ,

Email

Keywords

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

« Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow