LONG ISLAND VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL Regional Meeting - May 12, 2005 Grace Episcopal Church Massapequa, NY MINUTES Opening Prayer Barbara Gruchawka (Moment of silence in honor of Dick Ryan.) A Prayer for Priests John Cardinal O’Connor (1995) Lord Jesus, we your people pray to you for our priests. You have given them to us for our needs. We pray for them in their needs. We know that you have made them priests in the likeness of your own priesthood. You have consecrated them, set them aside, anointed them, filled them with the Holy Spirit, appointed them to teach, to preach, to minister, to console, to forgive, and to feed us with your Body and Blood. Yet we know, too, that they are one with us and share our human weaknesses. We know too that they are tempted to sin and discouragement as are we, needing to be ministered to, as do we, to be consoled and forgiven, as do we. Indeed, we thank you for choosing them from among us, so that they understand us as we understand them suffer with us and rejoice with us, worry with us and trust with us, share our beings, our lives, our faith. We ask that you give them this day the gift you gave your chosen ones on the way to Emmaus: your presence in their hearts, your holiness in their souls, your joy in their spirits. And let them see you face to face in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread. We pray to you, O Lord, through Mary the mother of all priests, for your priests and ours. Amen. Remarks (1) Pat Zirkel Thank you all for being here for what promises to be a lively and interesting discussion about our second goal – the support of our priests. I have two issues to talk to you about at this time. One concerns the forced resignation of Tom Reese, editor (I guess I should say, former editor) of America Magazine; the other is internal to Long Island Voice of the Faithful. We sent out a statement, which you should have received by email, saying that we were saddened and dismayed by Fr. Reese’s untimely resignation. We continued: “It certainly sends a clear message that any kind of dialogue within the Church on many issues will be harder and harder to achieve.” While we certainly can’t solve Fr. Reese’s employment issues this evening, we can do something that will increase dialogue, rather than hinder it. What we hope to do here tonight is open a real dialogue on the issue of priest support – something we have talked about, as one of our three goals, but an issue we also struggle with in terms of what we can do. An article on page A18 of this morning’s NY Times presents us with a stark example of just how much our priests need support. It is also an example of the fact that we all seem to be in our church’s mess together. The first line of the article reads: “Seeking to save money, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston is proposing cuts in its pension benefits for priests.” It struck my husband and I at the breakfast table that the Archdiocese of Boston apparently had plenty of money to shield and take care of abusive priests, but now has little for its loyal and hardworking clerics. We need to stand with these priests, and others like them, as they have stood with us. I said that my other issue was internal to LI VOTF. Briefly and bluntly – I want those of you out there who’ve come into various leadership roles in our organization to consider running for our Board of Directors this coming October. We need you. We are supposed to be a board of 15, but two of our members have been on extended leave of absence due to job and family concerns. So we are not, at present, working with a full complement of minds. And, speaking of minds, many of ours have been at this since the beginning in August 2002. New minds will look at issues in a new way, and we need that. There are lots of talented, spiritual, intelligent people in our ranks. You sitting here may be one of them, and you certainly know others. Although nominations will not be open for a couple of months yet, I wanted to get you all thinking about this. Please consider using some of your gifts in a new and challenging way. Please pray on this; and pray also for the good of our organization. Thank you. (2) Dan Bartley Dan asked all the priests and religious present to stand and be acknowledged by applause of members. Dan thanked them for their presence & support. We recently wrote a letter to the working group for formation of a Diocesan Pastoral Council. LIVOTF concerns outlined re: (1) nomination of those to be on the council; process is not truly representative of the laity. (2) composition of the council -- the numbers and voting procedures proposed makes it almost impossible for representative (elected) council members to carry a vote. Recommendations in our letter: election process; nomination process; shorter terms; limit voting to elected members. We have received confirmation that the letter has been received and is being circulated to members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council Working Committee. (3) Carol Bongiorno (re National VOTF Convocation in Indianapolis) Carol shared a personal reflection on her plans to attend the Indianapolis conference in July. She is spending her time and money because she sees this event as a continuation of Pentecost -- the church gathered to see what God has in store for them. The followers of Jesus entered the Pentecost gathering as disciples and emerged as Apostles. This seems to be what the Holy Spirit is doing for us now. (4) Joan Psotto (re Vatican II education offerings at the PV & Cluster levels) Focus on right relationship of hierarchy - priests - laity; rights and responsibilities of the laity; empowering the laity. Referred to handout. Contact email to set up offerings at PV/clusters. Contact Joan Psotto jcp_wordcrafter@hotmail.com, or Penny Duggan pennys3in1@aol.com. (5) Penny Duggan Reviews logistics of organizing workshops at the cluster level. -- site, instructor, handouts; purchase of documents. Describes the enthusiasm of participants. Principal Speaker [Introduced by Ann Gribbins] Rev. Bill Brisotti Pastor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Wyandanch Steering Committee Member of VOTO, Archdiocese of NY
Fr. Bill: Re American Catholic Church – we are involved in the struggle of building a church where people have a say. This is what North American Catholics are familiar and comfortable with. USA Catholics form only a tiny minority of Catholics throughout the world. Matthew's Gospel: Jesus says, "You will be my witnesses. . . . to reach all nations . . . baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Fr. Brisotti relates his experiences of traveling throughout the Third World ("the two-thirds world') . . . Peru, Philippines, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Cuba . . . vast experience of a church very divided; multifaceted . . . .tied to systems of injustice, military dictatorships, even genocide . . . the church which was brought to the shores of this continent 'on the coattails' of a colonial enterprise. The church benefited from the criminal activities of that enterprise in many ways. Pope Leo XVIII wrote the shaping social justice documents of the 20th century -- rooted in the injustice of abuse of power. He started from where the masses of humanity are. 1920s-30s -- Catholic Action movements. Dorothy Day - 1946 interview of Canon Joseph Cardijn. By 1930s his work for social justice was obstructed by local hierarchy; but he went to Rome and addressed the Pope directly. His mission: 'to save the masses of the world for the Church.' -- his approach: small groups to form and educate one's self. Fill one's own cistern so that we will not be empty cisterns attempting to fill others. Problem of the working people . . . that they do not know the language of social justice. (quotes July, 1946 article -- interview by Dorothy Day) Formation of ‘Jocist’ communities – whose task is to observe-judge-act -- all within community. Reflection of scripture and prayer based on lived experience. Later . . . Liberation Theology in Latin America -- rooted in the experience of Catholics of Latin America. Fr. Bill relates his personal experience in the '60s -- feudal system of peasants on land that is not theirs. Colombia/Mexico -- Latin America's progressive bishops turned the church around --- preferential option for the poor. Liberation Theology lives on. Silencing of the theologians has not stopped or silenced those who have embraced it. Romero's successor who has recently died has been replaced by an Opus Dei bishop appointed by Pope John Paul II. Liberation theology lives among the people of faith -- who are empowered by it to put their faith in action. Fr. Brisotti went on to say that he is a member of Voice of the Ordained and supports their close relationship with VOTF. Speaks of forced resignation of America Magazine editor, Tom Reese. So how do we keep faith alive in the American Catholic Church? Addictions thrive in isolation. Recovery requires relationships that are truthful and open. Priests and laity must be in relationship in our church. We must continue to be in relationship Reason for our hope -- Jesus. He also finds hope in us. "You are the reason to hope” You love Jesus and you're not going away. You are members of many parishes . . . and you're not going away. Encourages us to emulate the example of Canon Joseph Cardijn, Dorothy Day, liberation theologians. Continue learning, meeting, organizing. Focus the rage in a disciplined way befitting a disciple of the lord. All politics is local; all Church is local. Panel:Revs. Andy Connelly, Tom St. Pierre, Gerry Twomey Fr. Gerry Twomey - Pastor St. Ann's Brentwood, moderates --
· How do we keep hope alive? Refers to Fr. James Keenan's talk at St. Ann's who referred to the Church's great dependence on women in the church. Powerful and profound role that women - mothers - have in the church.
Fr. Andy Connelly
Fr. Tom St. Pierre
Fr. Bill Brisotti
Questions and AnswersMember: 4 short questions: Q1: Have pensions been used as a cudgel against outspoken priests in the Diocese of Rockville Centre? A: Gerry: No Tom StP: Yes . . . for laicized priests. Gerry: Priests’ stipends are so inconsequential that it's meaningless to threaten it. Q2: Have housing arrangements/parish assignments been used as a threat? A: No Q3: Have pastorships been used as an enticement to support the Bishop? Do the 'plum parishes' go to his supporters? Yes - Fr. G has heard of one case . . . but hearsay info; not direct. Q.4: Has any priest in the diocese been silenced? A: Bill B: Now in the diocese there is a policy of required approval by the diocese before a group can be invited to give a program/talk at parishes. Bill relates a specific instance where a group he was inviting to the parish had to be dis-invited. Q: Pat Cuomo: Re the continued ministry in parishes of priests who, according to the Suffolk County Grand Jury report, were the 'architects of the failed policies of the Diocese of Rockville Centre: Fr. Alesandro (St. Dominic’s, Oyster Bay); Fr. Caldwell (St. Martha’s, Uniondale). How do we remove these priests or get them out of active ministry? A: Bill B: Legitimate questions remain in all these cases around their direct role in the 'various dramas’. The underlying problem is that the people of the parishes have no say in who is to come as their pastor. Bill B says there is a procedure in place to have people of the parish participate in the process of selecting a pastor for their community. The people do have a right to have questions answered. A: Tom St. P: Cites case of a group of people in his parish who wanted to oust him. A: Andy C: Civil lawsuits involving these two priests and others have been in process. Pain in this case for the family is left as an 'open wound.' These cases point out the flaw in the system: Pastors serve at pleasure of the Bishop; Bishops at the pleasure of the pope. Comment from parishioner of St. Martha's, Uniondale: In support of Frank Caldwell as a 'fine priest.' Response by Pat Cuomo: Cites Grand jury report Q: The second goal of VOTF is to support Priests of Integrity. Aside from prayer, what can we do? A: Tom St. P: Involvement at parish level; honest feedback. A: Bill B.: What is a priest of integrity?" Even those who have made mistakes are trying the best they can. An honest relationship with the priests; open, direct communication. Encourages more 'human' contact. Get rid of 'clericalism' -- kills the priests; kills the real bonds that can happen in parish life. A: Andy: Has to be on the local level. In his preaching over 49 years -- very little feedback. Over 49 years - never evaluated by anyone. Recommends establishing personal relationship and give feedback -- good and bad. Q: How many priests belong to VOTO; what are they doing? A: Andy: There are 44 in active ministry; another group is inactive. Monthly meetings usually have only 10 members; only 5 active priests on average. Initiated newsletter designed to be an 'open voice' . . . no editorial stance. First issue just went out. So far very disappointed with response. Q: Question regarding "Our $$ Make a Difference" program of 'restricted use' donations: What about monies raised in special fundraising . . . does that get taxed by the diocese? A: Tom St.P: No regarding the tax. Diocesan tax applies only to Sunday and Holiday collections. Q: What is your view of priesthood on LI -- parish closings? Ordinations? Eucharist? A: Tom St.P: The numbers keep going down. We're not in a position as in Boston to close parishes. Only one ordination this year from our seminary. A: Gerry T: Bishop Murphy and vocations director are working hard to produce numbers in the seminary. Norm of education in the diocese seems to be the Catechism. (He has been told that Karl Rahner's name is barely mentioned in seminary teaching.) Q: On several occasions the Bishop has been heard to say there is no shortage of priestly vocations. A: Gerry: The diocese has one of the worst priest-to-faithful ratios in the country; numbers do not lie. A: Bill B.: influx of foreign priests. Q: If one compares LI with Boston: Both VOTF and VOTO in Boston seem more outspoken. One way voices are being heard in Boston is to have the discussions at Catholic Colleges. What influence do you see Catholic Colleges on LI playing in opening up the discussion? And why do you think reaction in Boston have been more 'militant.' A: Gerry T: VOTO Boston have basically fallen apart and are down to 25 active members after death of Fr. Bob Bullock. Comment from a member: Article in today's NY Times re priests pension fund says that some of the money collected had not been used for the stated purposes. Q: If 'zero tolerance' why is a certain priest still serving in a parish within the diocese, when there was a credible accusation, and a settlement payment was made in another diocese. A: Gerry T. Explanation that has appeared in print said that it was determined that the allegations were found to be not credible. Payment may have been effort to avoid negative publicity rather than admission of guilt. After sustained applause, Fr. Bill was invited to give a song. Closing prayer Marie McGillReader: In this month of May, as we honor Mary, our Mother and Mother of all priests, let us do so by praying the following Litany, keeping in mind the journey we are on and the model that Mary is for the Church. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen All: Mary, God chose you as the mother of his Son. You are Mother of all priests and all of us, God’s priestly people. God called all nations and generations to bless the gift of grace he gave you. In the company of those who have gone before us, with people of all races and languages, we call upon you in prayer. Leader: Holy Mary, (All respond: pray for us) Mother of God, Mother of our redemption, Mother of a lost child, Mother of comfort and understanding, Mother who shares our joys, Mother who endures our sorrows, Mother whose heart was pierced by a sword, Mother most merciful, Woman responsive to God's word, Woman willing to believe the impossible, Woman who rejoices in her lowliness, Woman with an undivided heart, Woman of perfect freedom, Woman wrapped in mystery, Woman moved by the Spirit, Woman champion of the poor and lowly, Woman graced by a husband's love, Woman widowed by a husband's death, Woman at the cross, Woman patient and waiting, Woman clothed with the sun, Queen of integrity, Queen of all our heart's treasure, Queen of our destiny, Queen of peace, All: Mary, you are mother and virgin, wife and widow, peasant and queen - blessed for all time. We need the comfort of your prayers. Remember us always to our Father through your Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Lord forever and ever. Amen. (Rev. Joseph H. Lackner, S.M.) |