Minutes: June 23, 2004
St. Mary's Parish
Pompton Lakes, NJ
Opening Prayer, via cell phone, with Metuchen Affiliate.
Six question survey completed and handed in.
Rev. Bob Hoatson explained Project Millstone, a petition, organized by a group of priests calling on bishops to hold each other accountable. For text and details, see CollinsPW@yahoo.com.
SNAP survivor, Michael Cullen, spoke compellingly about his sexual abuse at age 11 by a priest. As a youngster, Michael was fascinated by the wooden structure of his parish church and also by a portrait of Jesus the Carpenter. Those positive images helped motivate him to become the master carpenter he is today. Tender memories such as these were terribly overshadowed by the sexual abuse which damaged him severely and filled him with anger and low self esteem. In SNAP, Michael is recovering and helping others. He was accompanied by his supportive wife.
Joe Lynaugh announced that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops overwhelmingly voted to authorize a 2004 audit of dioceses compliance with provisions of the Dallas Charter. Anne Burke, our May 11, 2004 speaker, led the fight to keep this audit. Copies of a VOTF letter to be sent to the new bishop of Paterson, Arthur Serratelli were distributed to be read and signed. A very important VOTF meeting will be held on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 7:30 PM at the Shrine of St. Joseph, Stirling, NJ. This is an opportunity for all to come to share your thoughts, visions and dreams about VOTFs future.. Bring a printed version of your ideas to be collected and compiled. If unable to attend, send your written opinions to Theresa Padovano, 9 Millstone Drive, Morris Plains, NJ 07950. Our featured speaker, Dr. Kieran Scott of Fordham University, presented an intelligent, creative and positive plan to restructure the Church. Scott believes the Church needs new ways of thinking about power and authority. Egalitarianism is not the solution; it leads to chaos and disorganization. Roman Catholics can't envision a non-hierarchical Church but "bishops alone" as hierarchy is no longer acceptable to many. Dr. Scott handed out two diagrams. One depicted "Hierarchy as Pyramid", a form of hierarchy adopted in the 12th century. The Church needs to search for a different pattern more appropriate for our time. This pyramid model of hierarchy has lost its sense of beauty and poetry now.The other model, "Hierarchy as Concentric Circles", depicted well organized clusters of small groups with power sharing vested in the center, the bishop. There are no elitist roles - all are listened to. Scott repeatedly stressed that the Church needs a hierarchical structure but the word "hierarchy" needs to be rehabilitated. We need to recover its original, richer meaning. NT offers this paradox - greater power is found in receptivity, openness, and service to all.
About 100 people attended. The meeting closed with a prayer at 9:30PMSubmitted by Joan Barrett
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