Feedback.If the laity were given a greater voice in the church's decision making, I think the first thing that would change would be ... Greater mutual respect between laity, clergy, and bishops. Ellen M. Donahue Chestnut Hill Chestnut Hill may refer to: In geography:
The ridiculous rule of priestly celibacy. Richard F. LaRoche Murfreesboro, Tenn. The necessity of annulment annulment Legal invalidation of a marriage. It announces the invalidity of a marriage that was void from its inception. It is to be distinguished from dissolution or divorce. To justify annulment, the marriage contract must have a defect (e.g. for remarriage Re`mar´riage n. 1. A second or repeated marriage. Noun 1. remarriage - the act of marrying again . Name withheld Meridian, Miss. The teaching on artificial birth control. Eileen Hammond Greenwood, Ind. More accountability of church assets and finances in general. Name withheld Pasadena, Calif. The hierarchy's ability to operate without accountability. The laity has a right to question the decisions made by our bishops regarding church policy. Susan Roth Culver, Ind. Small things that affect the local parish, like the protocol within the liturgy, how the church is decorated, and things that change with each new administration. Alice Wierzbinski Frankfort, Ill. The selection of bishops. We would find more open, pastoral, and justice-oriented people in the episcopacy episcopacy System of church government by bishops. It existed as early as the 2nd century AD, when bishops were chosen to oversee preaching and worship within a specific region, now called a diocese. . Betsy Kennedy Michigan City Michigan City, city (1990 pop. 33,822), La Porte co., NW Ind., on Lake Michigan; inc. 1836. Michigan City produces machinery, consumer articles, kitchen and transportation equipment, concrete and wire products, chemicals, apparel, and cast iron boilers. , Ind. Restored trust that the church takes its own teachings seriously. We say the Holy Spirit teaches through all the church's members, but when it matters, it's still "Father (or Bishop) knows best." Patricia Lynn Morrison St. Cloud, Minn. Full acceptance of women priests List of women priests-In many denominations the ordination of women is a new phenomenon. This is true enough that those so ordained gain some attention. This list deals with that and will include female Bishops as well, but due to historical differences deaconesses will not be and married clergy. Name withheld Philadelphia, Pa. One possible negative consequence of consulting the faithful could be ... Greater polarization in the church. Cecelia J. Olinger Espanola, N.M. The extensive time required for consultative decision making. John Neville John Neville is the name of a number of people, including:
Oakland, Calif. A further decrease in vocations. Name withheld Bloomfield, Conn. So many ideas and solutions to problems that consensus would be almost impossible and nothing would get done. Stelle Lewandowski Chicago, Ill. Many laypeople lay·peo·ple or lay people pl.n. Laymen and laywomen. are unfamiliar with Catholic social teaching and believe the only morality the church should speak about is personal morality, not economic or political morality. Anne Nolan St. Cloud, Minn. So many aspects need to be considered in a worldwide church because of cultural differences. Mary Goldman Bakersfield, Calif. One might be tempted to put one's own agenda above the needs and well-being of the church. Barbara Johnson Barbara Johnson (b. 1947) is an American literary critic and translator. She is currently a Professor of English and Comparative Literature and the Frederic Wertham Professor of Law and Psychiatry in Society at Harvard University. Krum, Texas Krum is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,979 at the 2000 census. Geography Krum is located at (33.264818, -97.235665)GR1. The loud and obnoxious would drown out Verb 1. drown out - make imperceptible; "The noise from the ice machine drowned out the music" make noise, noise, resound - emit a noise the humble and meek--and it's the humble and meek that usually know what's going on Verb 1. know what's going on - be well-informed be on the ball, be with it, know the score, know what's what know - know how to do or perform something; "She knows how to knit"; "Does your husband know how to cook?" . Terry Cynar Reno, Nev. I can think of none, providing there is good education surrounding decisions. Betty Hill Olympia, Wash. The best experience I've had or seen in the church of consulting the faithful has been ... At my parish. We have a pastoral council Introduction In Catholic dioceses and parishes, Pastoral Councils may be established by the diocesan Bishop or pastor. They are consultative bodies which serve to advise them regarding pastoral issues. and committees to which my priest is very open and prayerfully considers all views. Victoria Blacklock Huntsville, Ala. Lay boards to oversee sex-abuse policies. Maura McPeak Voorheesville, N.Y. Church renovations. Name withheld Monticello, Iowa Monticello is a city in Jones County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,607 at the 2000 census. For many years, U.S. Highway 151 went directly through Monticello. In 2004, a four lane bypass around Monticello was completed and opened. In my diocese I haven't seen the faithful consulted on any matters of significance. Name withheld Warrenton, Va. Being a delegate to the 1976 Call to Action, when the U.S. bishops convened a nationwide consultation forum with the laity. Jean Kveton Abernathy, Texas Twenty years TWENTY YEARS. The lapse of twenty years raises a presumption of certain facts, and after such a time, the party against whom the presumption has been raised, will be required to prove a negative to establish his rights. 2. ago our tiny congregation--newly promoted to parish status--involved most members in plans for expansion (only to be shot down by the chancery). It was exciting while it lasted. Pat Milligan Harwood, Md. The ministry of Natural Family Planning natural family planning Biological birth control Any FP that does not rely on artificial agents–eg, OCs, 'morning-after' pill, spermicidal foam, RU-486 or devices–eg, condoms, diaphragms, IUDs to prevent conception Methods Rhythm–calendar method, . Roger Davidson Houston, Texas In the 1960s the bishops' conference was putting together their catechetical cat·e·che·sis n. pl. cat·e·che·ses Oral instruction given to catechumens. [Late Latin cat document and asked for input from pastors. Our pastor realized the value of consulting catechists themselves. Dorothy Karhnak Woodbridge, Va. The Vatican commission to study contraception many years ago--which was later overruled by Pope Paul VI Pope Paul VI (Latin: Paulus PP. VI; Italian: Paolo VI), born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (September 26, 1897 – August 6, 1978), reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 1963 to 1978. . William Braner Freedom, Pa. Town hall-type sessions where both the pastor and flock have a chance to be heard, ask questions, and be better informed as a result. Regina T. Thomann Virginia Beach, Va. I have not had such an experience. After 76 years I am still waiting. Jerry Mazenko Garden Grove, Calif. The biggest thing our church loses when it does not consult the faithful is ... A collective wisdom. If we really believe the Spirit acts in the assembly, we may be missing his voice. Christine Shannon Danville, Ky. The experience of women, married people, and the poor. Name withheld Federal Way, Wash. People. Many are leaving our church. Margaret L. Hoerr Peoria, Ill. Credibility. Father Oliver Johnson Austin, Texas Increasing irrelevance of episcopal pronouncements. Joseph A. Brown, S.J. Carbondale, Ill. Respect for leaders. Gerard Beaudette Lewiston, Me. I would like to be consulted about Sexual ethics, birth control, divorce and remarriage. Name withheld East Arlington, Vt. The shortage of priests. Let's open a dialogue about the possibility of women priests and married priests. Caroline Fulkerson West Seneca, N.Y. Budget issues and church staffing. David Stanton New Brighton, Minn. The choice of bishops, liturgical styles, homily homily (hŏm`əlē), type of oral religious instruction delivered to a church congregation. In the patristic period through the Middle Ages the focus of the homily was on the explanation and application of texts read or sung during the ideas, and adult formation. Jane Eschweiler, S.D.S D.S Drainage Structure (flood protection) . Tucson, Ariz. How to increase reverence before Mass. When did silence in church disappear? Susan Kwan Los Angeles, Calif. Leadership positions for women and lay people in the curia. Sister Rita Stalzer, C.S.J. LaGrange Park, Ill. Catholic education. Ron Woods Converse, Texas Topics that impact everyday life: homosexuality and the church's response, young adults living together outside of marriage, pornography, corrupt politics. Name withheld Morristown, Tenn. How to bring folks back to church. We meet to discuss how to close churches, but we do not have a plan to welcome people back. Teresa Davis Cincinnati, Ohio General Comments John Newman's idea was ahead of his time. I'm afraid he's still ahead of our time. Ruth Chronister Fort Wayne, Ind. In my current parish I have been consulted about qualities we needed in a new pastor, features we should have in our new worship center, how to improve our RCIA RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults RCIA Retail Clerks International Association RCIA Richmond Creative Investors Association RCIA Request for Clarity, Information & Assistance program, and many other matters. Our pastors have consulted the faithful and have listened to us. Monica M. Wheaton Chesapeake, Va. We are facing a crisis of confidence in our church leadership. Good consultations with the broad spectrum of members of the church could go a long way toward restoring that confidence. Sister Martha Larkin New Hartford, N.Y. I've been the wife of a deacon for over 20 years. In that time I've seen our church move backwards, away from the changes proposed by Vatican II to promote more lay involvement. It seems to be maintaining and strengthening the control of the role of clergy in the church. Kathleen Stojak Granbury, Texas We need to do a better job educating the clergy that laypeople should be empowered. Too many of the clergy still have a medieval attitude of knowing what is best for their flock. Chris Schweihs-DeFoe Chicago, Ill. As a lay woman who completed my master of divinity Noun 1. Master of Divinity - a master's degree in religion MDiv master's degree - an academic degree higher than a bachelor's degree but lower than a doctor's degree 20 years ago, I experience the church as full of talented, faithful, wise, and Spirit-living Catholics. How wasteful of the hierarchical church to ignore the Spirit's work here! Anne Walter Louisville, Ky. Nothing tears apart a community--in this case, the church--more than when people feel ignored and unheard and that their opinions and experiences do not matter. Christine A. Olsem Luxemburg, Iowa AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. At my parish, I believe the pastor seriously considers the insights of parishioners. Agree 67% Disagree 19% Other 14% 2. I think laypeople ought to be involved in choosing or at least approving their own bishop. Agree 62% Disagree 29% Other 9% 3. In order to seriously consult laypeople on matters of faith or church governance, Catholics would need much better adult faith formation. Agree 80% Disagree 10% Other 10% 4. It's ridiculous to expect everyday Catholics to help make decisions about church teaching and practice. Agree 20% Disagree 64% Other 16% Representative of "Other": "Catholics who are informed about their faith should be consulted. Those who are uninformed or who have no desire to be informed are dangerous." 5. I could envision my bishop hosting a diocesan synod with true lay participation. Agree 51% Disagree 41% Other 8% 6. I think the sex abuse scandal would not have happened had the bishops consulted laypeople on what to do with priests who sexually abused children. Agree 65% Disagree 23% Other 12% These results are based on survey responses from 168 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and website visitors. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion