A New Church? Dissenter umbrella group forms
A coalition of dissenting organizations and individuals called the American Catholic Council forms.
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SAN DIEGO (California Catholic Daily) - A coalition of dissenting organizations and individuals called the American Catholic Council are calling for “discussion at every level of the Catholic Church in the United States to consider the state and future of our Church.” The council plans to hold the council on June 10-11, 2011 (Pentecost), in Detroit.
The group’s website describes their aims: “We recall the promise of the Second Vatican Council for a renaissance through a radically inclusive understanding of the role and responsibilities of all the Baptized and an engaged relationship between the Church and the World reflecting the true meaning of the Incarnation for our times. This promise is eroding…We seek nothing short of a personal conversion of all to create a new Church, fully in tune with the authentic Gospel message, the teachings of our Church, and the American context in which we live.”
The website’s press release page contains one item: a release from “Voice of the Faithful.” The release is headlined: “Historic move for VOTF and U.S. Catholics--VOTF instrumental in launching American Catholic Council.” It begins: “January 25, 2009 – Boston – In a move to unite U.S. Catholics, the newly formed American Catholic Council called today for an historic assembly of the Catholic Church in the United States. Voice of the Faithful joins this call, spurred by evidence of serious deterioration in the life of the U.S. Church today.
“’The way the Church is now is not the way it was meant to be,’ says John Hushon, a VOTF board member who serves as council’s co-chair. ‘The Gospels make it abundantly clear that Jesus envisioned a community that welcomes and encourages the gifts of all. The two-tiered clerical system that separates the ordained from the non-ordained was never meant to be, and it has caused enormous harm. Vatican II attempted to recapture the universal call to ministry, but this promise has not been fulfilled.’”
While the webpage and release avoid specific policy statements, they do mention those who have joined the organizing efforts, including Sr. Joan Chittister, whom is described as a “well-known author on issues of contemporary spirituality.” Chittister was the keynote speaker at Women's Ordination Conference in Dublin, Ireland in June, 2000. Another endorser is former priest Dr. Paul Lakeland, professor of Catholic Thought and Interreligious Dialogue at the (Jesuit) Fairfield University.
Dr. Lakeland was recently in the news for his public support of Connecticut bill 1098, introduced by homosexual activist state Senators Mike Lawlor and Andrew J. McDonald. Bill 1098 sought to use legislative means to restructure the governance of the Catholic Church in Connecticut. The bill was tabled after intense opposition. On March 10, 2009, the Catholic News Agency reported: “The bill, which bears resemblance to Voice of the Faithful’s Strategic Plan, is being supported by Dr. Paul Lakeland, who believes that in this case it’s appropriate to use state legislation to force the Church’s hand…Concluding his support for the bill he said, 'I see absolutely no chance whatsoever of the Institutional Church making a change in this direction without pressure from somewhere outside the Church. There’s not even the most remote likelihood that the Church would adjust in this direction itself. I think this is a way of putting pressure on them to make changes and bringing the issue into a more prominent setting.'" On June 15, 2008, Dr, Lakeland was a guest at the (Jesuit) University of San Francisco. He spoke on the topic: “How the Laity can Save the Church.” Lakeland’s speech was co-sponsored by Voice of the Faithful Northern California and USF’s Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought.
Other signatory organizations to the council’s declaration include: Call to Action, New Ways Ministry, Catholics for Choice, the Women’s Ordination Conference, Women-Church Convergance, the National Association of American Nuns (Sr. Jeanine Gramnick), the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit, and Dignity.
The group’s website describes their aims: “We recall the promise of the Second Vatican Council for a renaissance through a radically inclusive understanding of the role and responsibilities of all the Baptized and an engaged relationship between the Church and the World reflecting the true meaning of the Incarnation for our times. This promise is eroding…We seek nothing short of a personal conversion of all to create a new Church, fully in tune with the authentic Gospel message, the teachings of our Church, and the American context in which we live.”
The website’s press release page contains one item: a release from “Voice of the Faithful.” The release is headlined: “Historic move for VOTF and U.S. Catholics--VOTF instrumental in launching American Catholic Council.” It begins: “January 25, 2009 – Boston – In a move to unite U.S. Catholics, the newly formed American Catholic Council called today for an historic assembly of the Catholic Church in the United States. Voice of the Faithful joins this call, spurred by evidence of serious deterioration in the life of the U.S. Church today.
“’The way the Church is now is not the way it was meant to be,’ says John Hushon, a VOTF board member who serves as council’s co-chair. ‘The Gospels make it abundantly clear that Jesus envisioned a community that welcomes and encourages the gifts of all. The two-tiered clerical system that separates the ordained from the non-ordained was never meant to be, and it has caused enormous harm. Vatican II attempted to recapture the universal call to ministry, but this promise has not been fulfilled.’”
While the webpage and release avoid specific policy statements, they do mention those who have joined the organizing efforts, including Sr. Joan Chittister, whom is described as a “well-known author on issues of contemporary spirituality.” Chittister was the keynote speaker at Women's Ordination Conference in Dublin, Ireland in June, 2000. Another endorser is former priest Dr. Paul Lakeland, professor of Catholic Thought and Interreligious Dialogue at the (Jesuit) Fairfield University.
Dr. Lakeland was recently in the news for his public support of Connecticut bill 1098, introduced by homosexual activist state Senators Mike Lawlor and Andrew J. McDonald. Bill 1098 sought to use legislative means to restructure the governance of the Catholic Church in Connecticut. The bill was tabled after intense opposition. On March 10, 2009, the Catholic News Agency reported: “The bill, which bears resemblance to Voice of the Faithful’s Strategic Plan, is being supported by Dr. Paul Lakeland, who believes that in this case it’s appropriate to use state legislation to force the Church’s hand…Concluding his support for the bill he said, 'I see absolutely no chance whatsoever of the Institutional Church making a change in this direction without pressure from somewhere outside the Church. There’s not even the most remote likelihood that the Church would adjust in this direction itself. I think this is a way of putting pressure on them to make changes and bringing the issue into a more prominent setting.'" On June 15, 2008, Dr, Lakeland was a guest at the (Jesuit) University of San Francisco. He spoke on the topic: “How the Laity can Save the Church.” Lakeland’s speech was co-sponsored by Voice of the Faithful Northern California and USF’s Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought.
Other signatory organizations to the council’s declaration include: Call to Action, New Ways Ministry, Catholics for Choice, the Women’s Ordination Conference, Women-Church Convergance, the National Association of American Nuns (Sr. Jeanine Gramnick), the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit, and Dignity.
- - -
This article originally appeared in California Catholic Daily and is reprinted with permission.
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"We recall the promise of the Second Vatican Council for a renaissance through a radically inclusive understanding of the role and responsibilities of all the Baptized and an engaged relationship between the Church and the World reflecting the true meaning of the Incarnation for our times."
Yes, but where exactly did it say this? Because the Council also stated clearly in LG that the Church is a hierarichal society, and it stated, following the lead of "Good Pope John" in SC that Latin should be retained, and it reaffirmed the Pope's capacity to speak definitively on matters of faith and morals. (again, in LG).
Can we finally put to rest this boring talk of the "spirit" of Vatican II, all the while ignoring the actual texts?
In order to combat this growing threat the Vatican should begin more worldwide pasturing, especially here in the United States. I believe it is time for more shepherding the flock and less downward commanding from afar. It is good that our Priests to go and study in Rome but it would be far greater for their instructors to get off their high-horses and attend to the flock. It should not be uncommon to see a high official of the Vatican on plane coming to visit your local Church. I will not ask the Holy See to come from behind is worldly shield and shake my hand but I will ask him to put the pen down and pick-up his cane.
Psalm 23 is my favorite. All of the elements of our sacraments are mentioned. Water cleanses us and oil anoints us. Our shepherd guides us with his staff. Even in the presence of our enemies God shows us how to set a table. Conversations about change will not hurt the church. Just do not run away from what you know is truth. God will protect His church and His people. Jesus gave us the sacraments as means to stay close to Him. The more people that receive the Eucharist and Reconciliation the more of Jesus life and love come into the world to effect our actions. Only goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life. That is God's promise
I would like to see an article discussing just WHY these claims are wrong. That would be most helpful to any passersby.
I knew a Jesuit had to be in there some place. You have got to wonder if these wing nuts have ever read the documents of Vatican II. Boy would they be surprised.
“discussion at every level of the Catholic Church in the United States to consider the state and future of our Church.”
Why can't people simply wait on the Lord?
In ancient times newly converted were urged to pray Psalm 27
Psalms:27:1: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms:27:2: When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Psalms:27:3: Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalms:27:4: One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalms:27:5: For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalms:27:6: And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Psalms:27:7: Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Psalms:27:8: When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Psalms:27:9: Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Psalms:27:10: When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Psalms:27:11: Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalms:27:12: Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
Psalms:27:13: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms:27:14: Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
It is so simple to be obedient, because obedience is freedom.
The new church of the confused steps forward: As Paul Lakeland says of himself, a teacher of religion, "My views are right or wrong on their own account ... ": Guess he's never considered God's account of right or wrong.
There are only two words for these groups that need to be said by the Catholic Church: Please leave. There are over 30,000 Protestant denominations, many of which support abortion, women acting like men, homosexual acts, and singing "Let There be Peace on Earth" that would be happy to have you. Please look in your local yellow pages and find one that will take you. Please, please, please leave before you create more scandal, draw more attention to yourselves, and bring down the name of the Roman Catholic Church in the US. I don't know which is more scandalous: the beliefs your groups espouse, or the fact that you all haven't been asked to leave yet. On behalf of the young, orthodox Catholics that are tired, really sick and tired, of hearing about you trying to change the one true Church, I say that just as the door of the Church is always open to new (faithful) members, the door is always open so that former members can walk out. Please, if not for yourselves, do it for us. We love our Church. We have enough enemies on the outside; we don't need internal division as well. Please, please, please, I beg you, leave our Church alone.
PRAY FOR THE BLESSED MOTHER TO PROTECT HER CHILDREN--THE CHURCH. BOTH LAITY AND CLERGY.
HAVE HER GO AFTER HER DISSENTER CHILDREN AS WELL PRAY TO THE LORD.
I am really not sure where to begin correcting the errors and misconceptions in this piece of journalism. The most obvious is that I am not now, nor have I ever been, a professor of Catholic though and interreligious dialogue. I am Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Fairfield's Center for Catholic Studies. The author is correct that I am a former priest, though why that should matter I am not sure. My views are right or wrong on their own account, not because of some fact of autobiography.
But more important than this is the effort to pre-empt the honest work of good Catholics who love the church by painting them as dissenters. Think of them rather as people who can find no way in the church at the present day to have their concerns for the church heard. So they have decided to create a venue in which they can voice those concerns. If the church had avenues through which responsible Catholics who love the church could voice their concerns and have them heard, none of this would be necessary and we could all get on with living the life of faithful witness that we would wish to do. I certainly endorse the right of these people to speak their minds, and the fact that I may or may not have been right about CT Bill 1098 (an issue on which a great deal of misrepresentation also took place) has nothing whatsoever to do with the issue under consideration here. Why are people so worried that good Catholics would like to see a healthier church?