In the Spirit: In letter to pope, progressive Catholics list grievances with Madison diocese
3 hours ago • By Doug Erickson | Wisconsin State Journal
A group of progressive Catholics, long frustrated with the leadership of Madison Bishop Robert Morlino and sensing an opening with the new pope, has put its complaints in writing.
In a letter to Pope Francis, the local group says it is very difficult in the Madison Catholic Diocese to be the kind of church the pontiff wants — one that works with the poor for justice, is sensitive to the needs of others, and welcomes everyone, especially those marginalized by society.
“The church you envision is not the church we are experiencing,” the letter states. “We experience not pastoral sensitivity, but judgment; we are marginalized, even excluded.”
Brent King, a spokesman for the Madison Catholic Diocese, said the letter contains “many false assertions.” By going public with their grievances, the letter writers will serve only to sow “deeper division and discord,” he said.
The letter was coordinated by members of two groups: the Madison-area chapter of Call to Action and Integrity/Dignity Madison.
http://host.madison.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/in-the-spirit-in-letter-to-pope-progressive-catholics-list/article_9c980c93-86ca-5e91-810b-4339ec7cb16d.html#ixzz3IbNcRRpo
http://host.madison.com/letter-to-pope-francis/pdf_a674b5af-bad5-5e0a-9fe0-9d8ed3c69279.html
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Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)Will this letter do any good?
And the hills sang back,
Fat chance, fat chance.
rug
(82,333 posts)I'm more interested in seeing if they get an answer. CTA has been alternately ignored and denounced by the USCCB.
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)My favorite of theirs is
in which they are having fun with Pachelbel's Canon (BTW, did you know that the Blues Traveler song "Hook" has the same chord progression as Pachelbel's Canon?)
Anyway, I am involved in CTA, as well as the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church, and have been for years. I feel that we are banging our heads against the wall, and have accomplished nothing. Will I see women ordained in my lifetime? I fear not. Married male priests in the Roman rite? Perhaps. Will I see acceptance of homosexuals? I'm not talking about accepting gay marriage, I mean acceptance of homosexuals per se. I suspect not. Will the laity regain their voice in the selection of bishops? I don't think so. I hope that the divorced and remarried will be formally admitted to the Eucharist, but that's just a crumb.
My hope for progress in the Church is at a very low point just now. I should probably shut up, since I am depressing myself just writing this.
rug
(82,333 posts)16 Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
I'm leery of judging politics by religion or religion by politics. I'm content to strive for a fair society. To the extent the structure of the Church opposes it, I'll oppose that. As to its internal policies, I'l take them as it goes, remembering that Baptism makes me a part of it and they're stuck with me, like it or not. On balance, though, I'm optimistic whether I see what I want to see before I die, or not.
Thanks for the Canon. It's a splendid performance even if I was waiting for Mr. Bean to appear.
