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John Allen’s profiling of the church (NCR, Aug. 31) puts me on the margins together with the people with whom I spend my time. But after spending time in reflection, I find that he has pictured the church as it is. His tag for the emerging church as “evangelical Catholicism” most probably matches the understanding that the hierarchy and “flock” today accept, for it is the evangelizing that the institutional church has been doing since the leadership of Pope John Paul II and his successor Pope Benedict together with the bishops appointed by them. It is however an evangelizing that marginalizes the Gospel witness some of the rest of us desperately try to do. We are convinced that the Gospel all the followers of Jesus are called to witness is the Gospel of nonviolence. It is the Gospel of the good news that the domination theory of peace by war and force is not valid. The path our country is on is far distant from the message of the God Jesus proclaimed. We hope and pray the leadership will highlight and underscore the Gospel of nonviolence. Then “evangelical Catholicism” will not be equated with the evangelizing of the far right in its concern for fringe issues.
BILL PICARD
Brecksville, Ohio
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I found myself getting depressed while reading your article on Catholic evangelism because I identify with evangelicals and their relationship with the Lord but do not like their traditional ways of expression. In order to have a personal relationship with Jesus does one have to belong to the branch of the church that wants the Latin Mass, finds our ecumenical brothers and sisters to be worshiping in “defective” communities, and agree with central Vatican control? On the other hand, in my experience, many liberals seem to have a rather nebulous attitude toward Christ. Since this is a definitive and concrete part of my spirituality, I don’t feel like I belong there either, but when it comes to the ideas of freedom of conscience, the environment and war I find myself in agreement with liberals.
So to what part of this church do I belong? I read the article that mentions “charismatic Catholics” and I was happy to find there are lots of folks like me in my church. We stand with Peter when Christ asked his apostles, “Do you also wish to go away?” and the saint said, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” The bottom line is that Catholicism is not always and necessarily what Rome says it is. It’s often what the people of God say it is in all its myriad colors and forms. Rome’s job should be to spread the faith, not try to control it.
NATALIE CORNELL
Gainesville, Fla.
Regarding “The feminization of the church” (NCR, Aug. 17): Everything in this article is both true and obvious. However, one interesting detail was left out. It used to be that every religious, spiritual or even social event in a parish or Catholic organization started or ended with a Mass. Now all sorts of other creative and inclusive liturgies or rituals are used instead, even if the event takes place on Sunday. It will probably be claimed that this is because there are few, if any, priests available to say the Mass. When was the last time you were in a planning meeting of such an event and a Mass was even considered? By refusing to ordain women, slowly but surely the Mass is no longer the main -- let alone only -- way Catholics pray.
JEANNE PIEPER
Marina del Rey, Calif.
Fr. Connell Maguire’s letter (NCR, Aug 17) conveys a common but mistaken notion that sexually abusing children has something to do with being celibate. Married fathers and clergy of other faiths also sexually abuse children. Fr. Maguire’s notion that home life is a safeguard against abuse prompted me to consider that this issue has become such a problem in the Catholic church due to the obedience factor more than the celibacy factor. The hierarchy functions as a parent, telling priests where to go, what to do, and providing for them financially. Catholics look to the church hierarchy as the authority when they have a complaint. In a denomination that doesn’t have the same hierarchical culture, the “safeguard of home life” is more about the responsibility the person takes for himself and that society expects. There’s not a “higher parent” to complain to or expect redress from. Catholics have a right to expect more maturity and responsibility from their leaders.
It’s also worth noting that the church has behaved the way most families do in responding to allegations of sexual abuse by one of the adults. Families deny, cover up, look the other way, blame the victim and keep secrets. They are loath to go to civil authorities. The victims feel tremendous pressure not to rock the boat or disturb the family structure. They see so much more to lose than to gain, even if children continue to be harmed and don’t get the help they need and even if adults aren’t held accountable and may abuse other children.
LISA REARDON
Washington
It is with great joy that I read of the new ecumenical monastery that the Benedictine women initiated in Wisconsin (NCR, Aug. 17). My joy is found in hearing of the courage of these women and their prayerful discernment as they “untied” the knot that was choking the life out of their wonderful ministries. The Holy Spirit moves us beyond our limited imaginations into new realms of possibilities and new life. In addition, the Spirit works to bring us together across all human divides so we truly become one Body of Christ. And so it is at the new monastery.
I feel great sadness in reading that the church is attempting to limit the sacramental presence of Christ by refusing to allow Mass and reserve the sacrament there. Not only is the institutional church dividing off Christ’s sacramental presence but also labeling participation in this community’s activities as unsuitable for most Catholics. Does such division reflect the model of Christian living put forth in the Gospel and exemplified by Christ himself? Why would the institutional church be so threatened by the ministry of ecumenical love and peace present there? It seems that 120 people, including Catholics, come anyway for their weekly ecumenical worship service. When united with Christ, division dissolves.
DEE WARNER
Durham, N.C.
Regarding “Stealing our country” (NCR, Aug. 17): Are people coming into the United States human beings created by God? Yes, and they are extremely poor and cannot feed their families. They risk their lives in an attempt to do so. The jobs are here waiting for them. It is up to us to force our government to provide a work program for them so they and their families in Mexico and Central America do not starve. Doesn’t Jesus tell us that we are our brother’s keeper?
MARGUERITE MANNELLY
Durango, Colo.
Having just finished Catholicism at the Crossroads: How the Laity Can Save the Church by Paul Lakeland, I was much encouraged by Sr. Rita Larivee’s Editor’s Note of Aug. 17. “Authorized by baptism” read the headline. She named Dorothy Day as an example of Vatican II’s “full, conscious and active participation of all the baptized.”
Mr. Lakeland goes further, citing the limited notion of “laity” and “secular,” priestly and holy, from Vatican II. In other words, we were to work in the world: secular for us, holy for them -- them being the other half of this persistent and unfortunate duality. Ordination is a higher state, laity is a lower one, for when priests leave they are “reduced to the lay state.”
“All are welcome,” we sing, but really it is only some. We are, after all, “the one, true church.” Know your place. Yet there is hope, and author Lakeland is right on the money as Sr. Rita is in her Editor’s Note and in NCR ’s choice of what you print, cover and whom you invite to write. Keep pushing, instructing, highlighting, cajoling. We are authorized by our baptism, not just initiated. Members of the laity are full equals around the table.
It’s not only baptism, then; it’s responsible Christian adulthood. “The church is a community of faithful people, equal by virtue of their baptism, celebrating the freedom of the children of God promised in the Gospel.” Thus saith Paul Lakeland. NCR and Lakeland are refreshing for many of us aging Catholics who still have enough energy and interest left to be heard.
(Br.) JOE McTAGGART
South Bend, Ind.
“Small groups to personalize a church too large for relationships” (NCR, Aug. 31) brings to the surface an issue that is close to my heart. Having been involved in base Christian communities, I am happy to see that the subject is still open for discussion. There is one deficiency in the structure of the Roman Catholic church that militates against them. Since Catholic parishes are so large, to assist at the Eucharist, which is the heart of our faith and worship, is impossible to do in a spirit of a real community. Since clergy, the only ones who may be the principal celebrants of the Eucharist, are a group set apart in what is really a closed boys’ club, base communities cannot celebrate the Eucharist in their small groups.
The change from small home churches of real communities in the original Catholic church to temples of worship that cater to large bodies of people and are practically theatrical productions means that no matter what language and ceremonies are used in the eucharistic celebration, it will never be a authentic community celebration. There is no reason in Catholic theology why we cannot ordain men and women of each community to be the principal celebrants for their communities. The Twelve Apostles and their immediate successors were not the exclusive celebrants but rather messengers of the Good News to form the Christian community, who chose their own celebrants. By creating an exclusive class of clergy, we have created a power structure in the church that is far from the sense of the Gospel Jesus gave us.
LARRY BOUDREAU
San Antonio
I attended and loved the Latin Mass for 30 years. But I did not fully understand the inherent meaning and beauty of the liturgy until Vatican II made full community participation possible. I have grown greatly through increased exposure to scripture, sharing in the singing and acclamations and in the revived practices of the early church. One example is the placement of the altar and presider facing the assembly. Why face a symbol of the risen Lord when he becomes really present on the altar, not to mention his presence in the assembly, the scriptures and the liturgical ministers?
Another revived practice is the restoration of the vernacular, as Latin was when it replaced Greek in the Western church around 380. I was fortunate to have studied Latin, but many, unable to understand, were forced to engage in their own private devotions. Language had become a barrier to even marginal community participation. Certainly the Mass represents the paschal mystery. The Catholic catechism, however, points out that “the Eucharistic sacrifice is wholly directed toward the intimate union of the faithful with Christ through communion.” It is not merely a meal but Christ’s way of uniting baptized members of his body and enabling us to continue his mission to the world. The Mass is more than an aesthetic experience, or a “feeling” of God’s presence. It is the “source and summit of the Christian life,” a foreshadowing of the heavenly banquet to which God invites all people.
MARY J. McDONALD
Arlington, Texas
Why anyone would purchase or read Christopher Hitchens and lend any credence to his scribblings has me wondering if there is any intelligent life left in these United States. Mr. Eduardo Antonetti in his letter (NCR, Aug. 31) gives Mr. Hitchens credit for journalistic ability and I disagree heartily with his view that Mr. Hitchens along with others “help us understand a world where those who claim to be the most religious are often the most dangerous.” Certainly Mr. Hitchens is a propagandist, and nowhere does that equal journalism. One only has to glance back at the prodigious work produced by Mr. Hitchens to beat the drum of war for President Bush and to dip his fork into the burnt offerings of men, women and children who have paid so dearly for him and the others who have turned their faces from God and religion and replaced it with the hubris of smug cynicism.
WILLIAM J. LOGAL
Buffalo, N.Y.
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National Catholic Reporter, September 14, 2007