Posts Tagged laity
Catholic diocese upends custom on homilies / Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Catholic Bishops, Clericalism, Voice of the Faithful on July 22, 2014
For the better part of 40 years in churches across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, clergy ceded the floor to laypeople for the delivery of the homily — the sermon that follows the reading of the Gospel at Mass.
“The practice, which dated to the mid-1970s and was simultaneously derided by the faithful for running afoul of church law and praised for its inclusiveness, has come to an end.”
By David Andreatta, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle — Click here to read the rest of this story.
Lay Catholics in Just Over A Third of U.S. Dioceses Were Given Opportunity to Answer Family Synod Questionnaire / National Catholic Reporter
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Catholic Bishops, Clericalism, Vatican, Voice of the Faithful on March 11, 2014
Lay Catholics who were given the chance to respond to a Vatican questionnaire on family-related issues greeted the opportunity with relish, but it may be that laypeople in just over a third of the nearly 200 Catholic dioceses in the U.S. were given that opportunity …
NCR (National Catholic Reporter) found 78 dioceses with clear, easily accessible information about what the survey was and how Catholics could participate, either through online surveys, direct consultations (a bishop in Alaska hosted a town hall meeting) or parish input. Some bishops announced they would be consulting priest councils or other diocesan structures to gather responses to the questionnaire.”
By Michael O’Loughlin, National Catholic Reporter — Click here to read the rest of this story.
Francis’ Cardinal Council Focusing on Financial Reform, Laity / National Catholic Reporter
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Catholic Church Finances, Pope Francis, Vatican, Voice of the Faithful on February 18, 2014
While the deliberations of the select group of eight cardinals advising Pope Francis on reforming the governance of the Catholic church remain secret, Tuesday gave several peeks into the shape and contour of the discussions.
“Financial reform is topping the agenda, but laity and family life are also points of discussion.
“The chief concern in this round of meetings, according to the Vatican: how to make sure the financial structures of the church are ‘at the service … of the world and not at the operational service of the Vatican itself’ …
“In his interview, (Honduran Cardinal Oscar) Rodríguez (Maradiaga) also raised an idea he has spoken of previously: that the pope create a congregation at the Vatican dedicated solely to the laity.”
By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter — Click here to read the rest of this article.
Women Resistant to Pope Francis’ Call for New Theology / National Catholic Reporter
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Voice of the Faithful, Women in Catholic Church on November 4, 2013
Pope Francis is calling for a theology of women, but women in the church are resistant, calling instead for a theology of the laity.
“‘I want to talk about a theology of men and women together,’ lawyer and theologian Helen Alvare told NCR in an email.
“Alvare was a speaker at a recent Vatican symposium marking the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s 1988 apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem (“On the Dignity and Vocation of Women”). The Women’s Section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity hosted the symposium at the Vatican Oct. 10-12.
“Around 100 women from 25 countries, representing lay movements and church associations, explored and discussed Mulieris Dignitatem. On the final day, Francis met with the participants and their families.” By Megan Fincher and Colleen Dunne, National Catholic Reporter
Read the rest of this article by clicking here.
Dissident Catholic Priest Network Pushes for Grassroots Church Reforms / Reuters
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Catholic Dissent, church reform, Voice of the Faithful on October 17, 2013
A new international network of reformist Roman Catholic priests is pushing to give lay people a bigger role in a Church that Pope Francis wants to bring closer to grassroots members. Speaking as dissidents from six countries met in Austria Oct. 11 for the first time, clergyman Helmut Schueller said the Church should draw on people in local parishes that are under threat of vanishing as the ranks of the priesthood dwindle.” By Michael Shields, Reuters
Read the rest of Shields’ story by clicking here.
Austrian Reformist Priest Fr. Helmut Schuller Concludes U.S. Tour in Front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in church reform, Voice of the Faithful on August 14, 2013
Austrian reformist priest Fr. Helmut Schuller started his 15-city U.S. speaking tour, Catholic Tipping Point: Conversations with Helmut Schuller, in New York City July 16. He concluded his tour there Aug. 8 in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He brought his Roman Catholic Church reform message to more than 5,000 people during his tour and received a good deal of media coverage in the U.S. and Europe. After speaking to supporters in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fr. Schuller delivered thousands of actual and virtual red ribbons symbolizing the Holy Spirit and support for reform goals to the office of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He also delivered the following letter to Cardinal Dolan:
August 8, 2013
Dear Cardinal Dolan:
Over the past three weeks, I have met with thousands of Catholics – laity and clergy – in 15 cities across the U.S. to share experiences and to learn from one another. At each place I visited, participants in our conversations wore red ribbons, signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit given to all the faithful. These ribbons as well as nearly 2,000 online signatures have been collected, and we offer them to you as a sign of our commitment to our church, a community where the People of God should be represented at every level of leadership and decision-making.
I learned much during my conversations with American Catholics. I discovered very many who are working hard to meet the challenges facing us all and to give voice to their needs, as is their right and obligation under Canon 212. I also heard from many priests who are concerned about the future of their parishes and their ministries. Sadly, many do not feel free to speak openly about their concerns. This must be a matter of concern to you as president of the USCCB. I do not believe that there is any place for fear or intimidation in our Church, and yet I found it time and again in my talks with fellow priests. I also found this same intimidation in the attempts to prevent Catholics from hearing me in Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit.
My hope is that my visit contributed to an authentic Christian conversation that must take place across our Church in every country. As we all are inspired by the example of Pope Francis, we should engage in an honest dialogue about the challenges we must overcome in making our Church a sign of the Kingdom and a sacrament to the world of the 21st century. As you know, I and my fellow priests have been working in Austria and in other parts of Europe to cultivate this dialogue. We stand ready to assist you here in the U.S. in any way we can to encourage the same honest and fearless exchange of views.
In the peace of Jesus Christ,
Rev. Helmut Schüller
Voice of the Faithful Offers Prayers for Success of Association of U.S. Catholic Priests June 2013 Assembly
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Voice of the Faithful on June 19, 2013
A worldwide movement of reform-minded, faithful Roman Catholics, Voice of the Faithful® offers its prayers for success for clergy attending the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests’ second annual assembly June 24-27 in Seattle.
Like VOTF members, trustees, officers and staff, the priests of the AUSCP are working toward, among other things, greater participation in the administration of the Church by the entire People of God. The Church hierarchy has too easily and for too long ignored the voice of lay members, men and women religious and priests—to the Church’s detriment. Our prayers are with these courageous men as they start their important work at this year’s assembly.
Voice of the Faithful® is prayerful as a matter of faith and mission, always attentive to the voice of the Spirit, always seeking God’s wisdom, courage and strength to nurture his Church. This influence of the Spirit is what we pray for AUSCP members in Seattle.
Priest & Two Lay People Will Receive Awards at Voice of the Faithful 10th Year Conference This Month
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Uncategorized, Voice of the Faithful on September 4, 2012
Voice of the Faithful® will present its Priest of Integrity Award and two St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person Awards during its 10th Year Conference in Boston this month.
Fr. Patrick Bergquist, Voice of the Faithful Priest of Integrity Award recipient.
Fr. Patrick Bergquist, a priest from Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, will receive Voice of the Faithful’s® Priest of Integrity Award. This marks VOTF’s tenth presentation of the Priest of Integrity Award since its founding in 2002. The Priest of Integrity Award, while recognizing that most priests work faithfully and often anonymously in their ministries, acknowledges specific actions demonstrating the leadership needed in the Catholic Church. Read the announcement of Fr. Bergquist’s award by clicking here.
Joseph O’Callaghan, Voice of the Faithful St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person Award recipient.
Phyllis Zagano, Voice of the Faithful St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person Award recipient.
The Voice of the Faithful® St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person Award recipients are Joseph F. O’Callaghan, Ph.D., of Norwalk, Connecticut, and Phyllis Zagano, Ph.D., of Hempstead, New York. Both authors and educators. This recognition represents only the fourth and fifth times in its 10-year history Voice of the Faithful® has presented the award. The St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person award recognizes exemplary lay leaders who enthusiastically use their gifts in the Church’s service and whose example encourages all Catholics to use their talents for the betterment of the Church. Read the announcement of Joseph and Phyllis’ awards by clicking here.
The Voice of the Faithful® 10th Year Conference takes place Sept. 14-15 at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
Voice of the Faithful
A lay movement for governance reform in the Roman Catholic Church, responding to the clergy sexual abuse scandal and supporting survivors.
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