Why the Catholic Church Must Change by Margaret Nutting Ralph

Author:Margaret Nutting Ralph
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: undefined
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published: 2012-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

A negative reaction by some to women in duly delegated leadership roles, to a Spirit-filled discernment process that involves the whole faith community, and to the truth speaking that results when people are invited to speak

A reassertion of authority on the part of newly appointed bishops, choosing ordained (men) over nonordained (women) to fulfill not only priestly duties but administrative duties as well

One Diocese’s Story

A mission diocese that includes much of Appalachia had a shortage of priests. Many priests had responsibility for two or even three parishes and/or missions. The bishop’s priority was to keep faith communities intact and to make sure that they had access to the sacraments. In order to meet the pastoral needs of parishes, the bishop appointed a woman religious to administer a program called New Faces of Ministry.

The purpose of New Faces of Ministry was to ensure that parishes and missions had effective leadership for the future. A process was designed that ensured that all who would be affected by the decisions made would have a voice in those decisions.

As the process was under way, the diocesan newspaper included a supplement that informed everyone about what was proposed regarding future staffing patterns and invited everyone’s response before final decisions were made. A first draft of the regional and parish plans was included.

In an accompanying letter the bishop explained that staffing plans would include the placement of qualified lay and vowed religious people, as well as priests, in a variety of parish leadership positions. The bishop then invited everyone to attend regional meetings so that everyone’s voice would be heard before decisions were reached.

The supplement in the diocesan newspaper included a section called “Issues and Concerns” from each of the regions of the diocese. Some of these “Issues and Concerns” sections respectfully disagreed with present Catholic Church practice regarding ordination. Here is an example:

There is a need for education to prepare people for the future. In general, we believe that the Holy Spirit is not calling Mountain East Catholics to the above compromises, but to new possibilities in ministry and sacrament. We believe there needs to be increased lay leadership and a commitment to a broader understanding of ordination. Ordination is, fundamentally, the faith community calling forth its leaders . . . and should be open to all with appropriate training and deep spirituality, including married men and women. Each faith community should be free to celebrate all of the sacraments as frequently as the Spirit moves, led by a sacramental minister who is part of the community. We see a strong need for open dialogue about these issues which have been suppressed by the hierarchy of the church.[20]

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