Lawyers representing Catholic Bishop Robert W. Finn have renewed efforts to have misdemeanor charges against him and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph dismissed.
In filings given to a Jackson County judge last week, Finn’s lawyers and those representing the diocese argued that a state law requiring clergy and many others to report suspicions of child abuse is unconstitutionally vague.
Jo O’Sullivan writes on the development of her faith
Believe it or not, Saoirse* (see definition below), I can totally relate to your confusion as to why I still consider myself to be a Catholic. And I’d like to try and explain myself to you.
I’m from a very ordinary Catholic background – no great delving into the tenets of my faith during my life – no great exploration of theology or church history – no participation in ‘progressive’ movements or anything like that. In fact, all I did was try to observe the teachings and ‘living out’ of Catholicism as best I could – going to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (and the occasional daily Mass if I was in a position to do so) and playing a full part in my church, parish life (I have played the church keyboard and been part of a lively children’s liturgy team, among other things, here in my parish for many years).
I suppose, to be totally honest, I carried a unease with certain aspects of Catholicism for a long time and had to reconcile things as best I could –sometimes by acknowledging I was ‘breaking the rules’ but letting myself off the hook (f.eg. for using contraception) and sometimes by not allowing myself to think too deeply about them (f.eg. the huge wealth in parts of the church contrasted with the poverty in the world; the position of women, people in second relationships, gays in the church etc.) I sometimes felt I was a ‘bad’ Catholic for having such critical thoughts about the structures and teachings. After all, those who dictated how things should be- those in positions of authority over me in my spiritual life, were much greater than I in every way and it was the sin of pride on my part to harbour such criticisms and doubts. In particular, anything coming from the Vatican was coming from those closest to God in this world so I had no business questioning the validity of anything they had to say.
I spent most of my adult life in that way, Saoirse, living a rather superficial version of Catholicism because, I think, I was afraid to delve too deeply!
However, my relationship with my loving Creator, as experienced through my Catholic faith, sustained me through many rough times in my life – many situations/times when no amount of logical, rational thought helped to see me through – life’s messy, difficult, paradoxical and sometimes cruel and painful chapters. So it was enough that I practiced Catholicism without thinking too deeply about it.
Life kept nudging me in my unease every so often though – sometimes it was in the shape of my growing children asking me questions and not accepting pat answers so I had to try and find answers which I felt to be true and valid; sometimes it was in finding myself in situations where the Catholic teaching just didn’t sit properly with my conscience. It was in meeting and knowing wonderfully Christian, caring people who were deeply hurt by the fact that the faith of their childhood rejected them because of their life’s circumstances.
I continued trying to accept that my ‘betters’ knew more than I did – I didn’t want to be proud and arrogant – so I tried to quieten my conscience by continuing to try and build a nurturing community in my own wee world and keeping my head in the sand over the rest of it (not something I’m proud of, but it’s the truth!).
The revelations of the Murphy Report caused a chasm to appear under me. I had been able to accept that there were individual criminal perpetrators of evil but I could not bear the fact that my ‘betters’, my moral and spiritual guides, had totally failed our most vulnerable little ones by choosing to protect the institution of the Catholic church over them.
I could no longer continue to contribute to building up the church in my own wee way if, by doing so, I was allowing the rottenness to continue.
It set me off on a long, terrifying journey, Saoirse, where I felt blasphemous and heretical and totally confused by my thoughts at times. All I could do was read and talk and listen and agonise over what was right and what was wrong. For every article I read by experts extolling adherence to strict Catholic teachings evidenced by readings from scripture, I read another one which interpreted scripture in a different way in the light of on-going theological exploration. All the experts were absolutely sincere and genuine in their arguments. I so wanted to be able to go back to being as I was before, but I couldn’t and I still can’t!
The conclusion that I came to was that, for me, there are no absolute certainties anymore. I can never know for sure that I am ‘right’. So, it follows on from that that I can never be sure that anyone who doesn’t see things MY way is ‘wrong’. In reading such people as Richard Rohr O.F.M., I have actually come to realise that I am moving beyond dualistic thinking and that’s a GOOD thing! I’m getting to a place where I can accept that I don’t HAVE to be right and others don’t HAVE to be wrong! I can reconcile myself to living in faith, living in the paradox, and constantly trying to see things from as broad a perspective as possible.
I have no problem accepting that our church leaders sincerely wish to discern what God’s will for humanity is so that they can be our teachers and our guides. I know the argument that they do not come to decisions by their own power alone – they pray and reflect and study scripture and Tradition very carefully so that they can eventually speak ‘the mind’ of God. But what if God is now nudging us, those of us living in the non-rarefied conditions of messy, secular society, towards having our voices heard? I cannot accept is that putting up walls and silencing debate is the way to move forward.
Neither can I go back to my old argument (with myself!) that I’m a nobody, so I’ve no business speaking out my silly little views. I think I have to speak out.
I truly worry that there’s a move to make Catholicism smaller and tighter. My whole belief is that our role in life, as Catholic Christians, is to reach out to all of humanity in love, tolerance and compassion – not to judge them and find them wanting.
There’s so much more in my head and in my heart that I’d like to say – but it has taken me three days to get this much down on paper. I’ve been dipping in and out of it – adding to it, taking from it, since I read your comment on Thursday morning. If I don’t submit it now, I won’t do it at all.
I respect your views Saoirse; I know you speak out of honesty and I can feel that you’re hurt that other Catholics seem to be utterly disloyal to something you hold very dear; that they’re trying to destroy Catholicism from the inside.
And I don’t know if I’ve gone any way to explaining to you that I honestly don’t want to do that – I want Catholicism to be a way of life that attracts the lonely and the lost – a way of life that nurtures all its children – a way of life that gives my grandchildren a path to follow so that they will ‘live life to the full’ and be happy that relationship with their loving Creator is at the very core of their everyday living.
I don’t know what stage of life you’re at Saoirse, but I bet you’d want the very came things for your grandchildren?*Saoirse
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Saoirse is the Irish language word for "freedom" and may refer to:
- Saoirse (name)
- Saoirse Ronan, an Irish child actress
- Saoirse Irish Freedom, the monthly organ of the Republican Sinn Féin
- Saoirse na hÉireann, a small Irish republican paramilitary group
- Saoirse (horse), Canadian Champion racehorse
** Murhpy Report is a report of abuse in Irish Catholic Chur\ch and hierarchy.
The above statement is avaailable on the internet at: Jo O’Sullivan writes on the development of her faith. Association of Catholic Priests
The Irish Times newspaper states that the seminary founded in 1628 may not function as such for much longer.
The future of the college has been under scrutiny since a fact finding mission led by New York Bishop Timothy Dolan issued its report.
Cardinal Dolan, as part of the apostolic visitation, is believed to have instrumental in the removal of three members of the college’s formation staff and their imminent return to their dioceses in Ireland.
The big question the visitation never addressed was how can Ireland at the moment maintain two seminaries,” said Dr Martin.
The paper reports that there are currently 23 Irishmen studying for the priesthood at the Irish College in Rome from a total of 58 seminarians there.
The remaining 35 candidates for the priesthood there are from 22 different countries. At present there are 72 seminarians in Maynooth in County Kildare.
Dr Martin added: “For me the question for the Irish College isn’t the staff, it is where are we going to get the students for it? If it’s going to be a vibrant seminary then you need the candidates.
May 20, 2012|By Miriam Hill, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Sunday announced that it had found two more priests unsuitable for ministry following claims that they had sexually abused a minor.
The Archdiocese said it had substantiated the claim against Msgr. George J. Mazzotta, who most recently served at Stella Maris Parish in Philadelphia and Saint Madeline Parish in Ridley Park.
Msgr. Hugh P. Campbell, who was retired but most recently served at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish in West Chester, told the Archdiocese himself in December that he had sexually abused a minor, according to a brief release from the Archdiocese.
Click on the following for more details: Phila. Archdiocese takes steps against 2 more priests - Philly.com
May 20, 2012
UPDATE REGARDING
MONSIGNOR GEORGE J. MAZZOTTA
Monsignor George J. Mazzotta has been found unsuitable for ministry following a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Since May 2010 when the Archdiocese received the allegation and reported it to law enforcement, Monsignor Mazzotta has not been permitted to exercise his public ministry, wear clerical garb, or present himself publicly as a priest. Following Archbishop Chaput's determination of unsuitability for ministry, Monsignor Mazzotta has agreed to accept a supervised life of prayer and penance.
An announcement updating the situation regarding Monsignor Mazzotta was made this weekend at Stella Maris Parish in Philadelphia and Saint Madeline Parish in Ridley Park, his two most recent assignments. Counselors were present at Stella Maris Parish.
On May 4th, Archbishop Chaput announced resolutions to eight of the 26 cases of priests on administrative leave as a result of the February 2011 Grand Jury report. The announcement regarding Monsignor Mazzotta is not connected to those cases.
Monsignor Mazzotta is 73 years old. He was ordained in 1966. He served at the following parishes and schools: Saint Joseph, Downingtown (1966-1971); Epiphany of Our Lord, Philadelphia and Saint Maria Goretti High School (1971-1976); Saint Gabriel, Philadelphia (1976-1978); Saint Clement, Philadelphia (1978-1980); Saint Eugene, Primos (1980-1985); Saint Paul, Norristown (1985-1988); Saints Cosmas and Damian, Conshohocken (June 1988 - November 1988); Saint Robert Bellarmine, Warrington (1988-1990); Mother of Divine Grace, Philadelphia (1990-1997); Saint Madeline, Ridley Park (1997-2008); Stella Maris, Philadelphia (2008-2010).
We recognize that this public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence. If you need support or assistance, victim services are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@adphila.org.
If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations at 1-800-932-0313.
May 20, 2012
STATEMENT REGARDING
MONSIGNOR HUGH P. CAMPBELL
Monsignor Hugh P. Cambell, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has been found not suitable for ministry following self-reported sexual abuse of a minor. Monsignor Campbell made this report in December 2011 at which time he was placed on administrative leave. Since then he has not been permitted to exercise his public ministry, wear clerical garb, or present himself publicly as a priest. This was reported to law enforcement.
Following Archbishop Chaput's determination of unsuitability for ministry, Monsignor Campbell has agreed to accept a supervised life of prayer and penance. An announcement regarding this situation was made this weekend at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish in West Chester, his most recent assignment prior to retirement. Counselors were present.
On May 4th, Archbishop Chaput announced resolutions to eight of the 26 cases of priests on administrative leave as a result of the February 2011 Grand Jury report. The announcement regarding Monsignor Campbell is not connected to those cases.
Monsignor Campbell is 77 years old. He was ordained in 1961. He served at the following parishes and schools: Nativity B.V.M., Media (1961-1966); Saint Agnes, West Chester (1966-1968); Newman Chaplain at West Chester University (1968-1986); Newman Chaplain at Chester County Hospital School of Nursing (1968-1986); Newman Chaplain at Cheyney University (1971-1986); Saint Maximilian Kolbe, West Chester (1986-2007). Monsignor Campbell retired in 2007 and moved to a private residence.
We recognize that this public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence. If you need support or assistance, victim services are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@adphila.org.
If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-800-932-0313.
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The prosecution rested its case on Thursday against Philadelphia Archdiocese Monsignor William Lynn
During nearly eight weeks of startling testimony about the lurid lives of predatory priests, Lynn, a former secretary of the clergy, has sat stoically in his clerical garb as the case unfolded in an often-packed courtroom.
Defense lawyers promised to begin their case on Tuesday to bolster Lynn's argument that he acted responsibly, reporting allegations to higher officials, but was overruled.
Read the entire article by clicking on the following: Prosecution rests in Philadelphia Archdiocese child sex abuse trial - chicagotribune.com
About 75 people marched up and down 5th Avenue in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City early Tuesday evening (May 15), holding signs and singing hymns, in one of many prayer vigils planned nationwide in support of Catholic sisters criticized by the Vatican in a recent report, according to one of the event organizers.
Tuesday’s events marked the second week of vigils organized by members of Catholic groups throughout the country, as part of a grassroots effort led by the Nun Justice Project. The vigils were originally planned for every Tuesday evening in May, leading up to the first meeting of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious on May 29, but dates and meeting times changed as more cities were added.
Vigil Locations from: http://nunjustice.tumblr.com/vigil
Anchorage, AK
Holy Family Cathedral
800 West 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 6-7pm
Contact: Blanche Crandall, akcran@yahoo.com
Austin, TX
St. Mary’s Cathedral
203 E 10th Street
Austin, Texas
Tuesdays 15-29, 11:30am-1pm (before/after the noon Mass)
Contact: Eric Theisen lucidmonkeyfilm@gmail.com
Baltimore, MD
Bascilica of the Assumption
409 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD
Tuesday May 15, 6:30-7:30pm
Contact: Willa Bickham vivacatholicworker@gmail.com
Belleville, IL
St. Peter’s Cathedral
200 West Harrison Street
Belleville, IL
Saturday, May 19, 3:30pm (before the 4pm Mass)
Contact Anne Harter anneharter23@yahoo.com
Binghamton, NY
St. Francis of Assisi Church
1049 Chenango Street
Tuesday, May 22nd at 7pm
Contact: Steve Powers, spowers7@nycap.rr.com
Boston, MA
Cathedral of the Holy Cross
1400 Washington St.
Boston, MA
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 5:30pm
Contact: Jen Guterman, Jennifer_guterman@yahoo.com
Cincinnati, OH
Cathedral of St Peter in Chains
325 W 8th St at Plum St
Cincinnati OH
Tuesday May 15, 22, 29 at 4:45 to 6 PM (wear white shirts)
Contact Roxanne Hemmelgarn at roxanne204@netzero.net
937.435.8770
Chicago, IL
Holy Name Cathedral
735 N. State St.
Chicago, IL
With procession to Cardinal’s Residence on first Tuesday
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 8-9pm, Candlelight Vigil
Contact: Bob Heineman, 847.682.1056
Cleveland, OH
St Colman Catholic Church
W. 65th and Lorain (inside the Church)
Wednesday, May 30th 7:00 pm
Contact: Margaret Gorbett
216-228-0869 info@futurechurch.org
Dallas, TX
Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe
2215 Ross Ave
Dallas, TX
Tuesday, May 15, 6pm
Contact Pat & Sandy Haigh pshaigh@juno.com, 214.808.2398
Hebron, CT
Church of the Holy Family
185 Church St.
Hebron, CT
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 6:30-7pm (followed by mass at 7pm)
Contact: Dottie Moon, mgm0526@sbcglobal.net, 860.228.5258
Lady Lake, FL
St. Timothy Church
1351 Paige Place
Lady Lake, FL
May 15, 9AM (following the 8:30AM Mass)
Contact: Kathy Fegan 352.750.3140
Lansing, MI
St. Mary’s Cathedral
219 Seymour St.
Lansing, MI
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 11:45am
Contact: Janet Glisson, 517.484.0443
Louisville, KY
Cathedral of the Assumption
433 S. 5th St.
Louisville, KY
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 5-6pm
Contact: Helen Deines, helendeines@insightbb.com, 502.468.0816
Los Angeles, CA
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday May 15th (Cathedral 555 W. Temple St 8pm)
Tuesday May 22 & 29 (at the Chancery 3424 Wiltshire Blvd, 7pm)
Contact: Rosa Manriquez, 323.369.4355, echobythelake@aol.com
Oakland, CA
Oakland Cathedral of Christ the Light
2121 Harrison St.
Oakland, CA
May 29th, 6-8pm
Contact: Christine Haider-Winnett, Christine.haider@gmail.com
Omaha, Nebraska
St. Cecelia Cathedral
701 N 40th Street
Omaha, NE
Tuesday, May 22 and 29, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Contact: Mary Ruth Stegman MaryRuth@cox.net 402.556.5142
New Orleans, LA
St. Louis Cathedral
715 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA
Sunday, May 27 (after the 11am Mass)
Contact: Russ Carll rdcarll@bellsouth.net
New York, NY
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
14 East 51st Street
New York, New York
Tuesday, May 15, 22, 29 - 4:30-6:30pm
Contact: Margaret Meehan
212-539-0974 magorm513@gmail.com
Philadelphia, PA
Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul
18th Street at Race
Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday May 22, 4:30-6pm
Contact: Regina Bannan, sepawoc@sepawoc.org
Portland, OR
St. Mary’s Cathedral
1716 NW Davis St.
Portland, OR
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 7-8pm
Contact: Nancy Barrett-Dennehy, ndbdpdx@comcast.net
Providence, RI
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
30 Fenner Street
Providence, RI
Tuesday, May 22, 5:30-7pm
Contact: Kathy Pannozzi 401-521-3998 kduffy6@yahoo.com
San Francisco, CA
St. Mary’s Cathedral
1111 Gough (nr Geary)
San Francisco, CA
Tuesdays, May 8- 29, 5-6:30 pm
Contact: Roberta McLaughlin 415-265-4440 roberta@igc.org
San Juan, TX
Basilica of our Lady of San Juan del Valle
400 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd.
San Juan, TX
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 6-7pm
Contact: Al Dabrowski, al.dabrowski@gmail.com, 443.716.8720
Santa Rosa, CA
St. Eugene’s Cathedral
2323 Montgomery Drive
Santa Rosa, CA
Tuesdays May 15-29 5:30pm
Contact: Beth Jordan bethonivy@aol.com 707.478.1892
Seattle, WA
St. James Cathedral
804 9th Ave.
Seattle, WA
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 7-8pm, Bring candles
Contact: Betty Hill, 360.357.6207
St. Louis, MO
Cathedral Basilica
4431 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO
Tuesdays, May 8-29, 8-9pm, Bring candles
Contact: Jennifer Reyes Lay, can@catholicactionnetwork.org
Stockton, CA
Cathedral of the Annunciation
425 West Magnolia Street
Stockton, CA
Tuesday May 22 & 29, 7pm-8pm
Contact: Donnieau Snyder 209-505-4339
dr.donnieausnyder@gmail.com
Syracuse, NY
St. Lucy’s Church
432 Gifford Street
Syracuse, NY
Tuesday, May 22nd, 7pm
Washington, DC
USCCB Office (meet by front sign)
3211 4th St. NE
Washington, DC
Tuesdays, May 8-22, 4-6pm
Tuesday, May 29th Outside the Vatican Embassy, 11:30am-1pm
3339 Massachusetts Ave NW
Contact: Kate Conmy, kconmy@womensordination.org, 202.675.1006
Waterloo, IA
St. Edward’s Church
Corner of Kimball and MItchell Ave
Waterloo, IA
Tuesdays May 22, 29 from 5-7pm
St. James Cathedral is often the scene of vigils, but the crowd outside its front door on Tuesday night was there to dissent from rather than proclaim Vatican policy:
The praying, singing gathering of Catholic was protesting the Catholic Church hierarchy's crackdown on American nuns.
One by one, vigil participants took the microphone to praise the good works of American nuns they have known. Among those mentioned was Sister Jean Prejean, the Louisiana nun who has devoted her life to working with death row inmates. (Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her portrayal of Prejean.)
With its guitars and folk songs, the St. James gathering evoked the era of the Second Vatican Council and Pope John XXIII, a half century ago, when the Catholic Church appeared to be opening itself to the modern world and embracing other faith traditions. Future Seattle Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen was the youngest American prelate at Vatican II.
Cardinal Raymond Burke, the head of the Vatican's highest court, excoriated American nuns for what he called "the public and obstinate betrayal of religious life by certain religious."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last week began to investigate and assess ties between Catholic parishes and the Girl Scouts. The reason is Scouts' association with Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam and the Sierra Club -- groups which have shown sympathy for family planning.
The Catholic hierarchy is also angry with American nuns for seeking accommodation with the Obama administration on inclusion of birth control in health plans offered by Catholic hospitals and universities. The bishops, by contrast, seem spoiling for a fight and denouncing what they claim are attacks on "religious liberty."
The nation's bishops and cardinals -- and their counterparts in Rome -- are not known for listening to "the branches" despite what's written on the face of Seattle's cathedral. Lay protest did force the Vatican to back down in the late 1980's when it tried to strip away authority from the pacifist Archbishop Hunthausen.
It galls some of the Catholics who turned out Tuesday.
"They haven't explained it (the crackdown on nuns)," said Don Sly. "They don't have to. This is about power. That's the stance of power. You can investigate someone without offering any real investigation."
There were "Support the Sisters" vigils outside 27 cathedrals across American on Tuesday night, in locales ranging from Anchorage, Alaska, to Austin, Texas. Songs were sung outside the cathedrals of the country's two best-known hard line bishops, Cardinal Timothy Dolan in New York and Archbishop Charles Chaput in Philadelphia.
The vigils will continue on Tuesday nights through the month of May.
