Communio . . .
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March 23, 2008
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To strengthen our shared life in Christ
through mutual participation and the free exchange of ideas.
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Community of St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2380. www.stmalachi.org
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Communio Archive
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Sexual Abuse in the Church – Where Do We Go from Here?
An Address by Thomas P. Doyle, O.P.
by Fran De Chant
(Fran is a member of the Community of St. Malachi, as well as The Task Force on Sexual Abuse.)
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On the snowy night of March 7, Fr. Thomas Doyle met with a group gathered in St. Malachi Hall. So intent were they to hear his message that the storm brewing over Northern Ohio couldn’t keep them away. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kahl made his visit to us possible. Father Doyle, a Dominican priest, is widely known and respected for his expertise in canon law and its applications to the problem of sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church. His journey to becoming the most prominent clerical advocate for abused children and youth in the American church started in an unremarkable place.
In an informal circle of chairs pulled together in our not-too-cozy hall, Fr. Doyle shared the story of his involvement. It began in 1984 while he was serving at the Vatican Embassy. Clerking for the Papal Nuncio, he found himself with an issue of horrifying dimensions. This was the case of a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, ultimately accused of raping close to 500 young victims. Over a period of 12 years, in the face of many reports of his activities, this priest was transferred from parish to parish, free to continue as a known pedophile to find more victims.
Father Doyle admitted ruefully his attachment to the comfortable career path that would have been his climbing the elite echelons of the church. Instead, what he had seen and was to see again and again as he became involved in more than 2,000 cases of child sexual abuse by priests and religious put him on a road less taken. His was a path virtually empty of any church advocates for victims. That is, until he, along with a Cajun lawyer and a psychiatrist collaborated on a 150 page report graphically detailing cases of unspeakably abused children, violated by the priests they and their families trusted. The report was presented to the bishop. The result? Father Doyle describes the episcopal reaction, “There’s a recipe for everything. If not, it doesn’t exist. The system doesn’t want to hear about it. Tom, you’ll never get anywhere with this, I was told.” So it was, until nearly twenty years later when a tidal wave of evidence overwhelmed the hierarchy’s denial of what it had allowed to happen to the most vulnerable of God’s people, its own children.
Where are we now? Fr. Doyle raises a question. “Will the movement away from Vatican II reforms reinforce a culture of secrecy and entitlement that allowed clerics and religious to abuse with no consequences? In the past 40 years, no fundamental reform is attempted or even looked at. It amounts to reclericalizing the Church. The role of organized religion is changing. The hierarchy (he calls them ‘officeholders’) don’t like the changes that are happening. They are being challenged and replaced by apathy, hostility, anger or just walking away on the part of the laity.”
Finally, where do we go from here? We can sit and complain, Fr. Doyle allows, or we can look realistically at Church structure. “It is a monarchical system run by a small group of men who think they are mouthpieces of the Almighty, teaching that we can know Jesus only through the institution, which is them.” We are challenged as Catholics who want to see something happen to go even deeper. We can process what we believe more selectively. We can reexamine God’s plan for us and open up salvation in concept. Is the hierarchical Church the only way to God? On a practical level, financial issues and accountability rank high in importance. The Church must face its history of relying on fear and secrecy and begin to transact more openly. We need to require the American bishops to issue clear directives on how to minister to victims of sexual abuse. Victims of this nightmare and their families deserve to be met with and personally apologized to. Above all, a system that placed church governance and culture above concern for children must not be permitted to continue. In justice, priests placed on administrative leave and caught up in interminable appeal delays need resolution of their status.
I stopped to thank Fr. Doyle for coming. “You’re a hero,” I said. In his unassuming way, he smiled and demurred. I really meant the word, “hero.” On my desk is a quotation from the writer, Azar Nafisi, taken from her classic in which she studies character development in fiction. Her book is Reading Lolita in Tehran.
Professor Nafisi wrote: “A hero becomes one who safeguards his or her individual integrity at almost any cost.” Fr. Doyle lost advancement in the Church, with all the prestige and material comfort it offered. Even his livelihood was endangered. Except for the intervention of Protestant clergy, the Church would have denied him the pension he was entitled to as a chaplain. Interiorly, this Dominican trained as a canon lawyer admits that he no longer enjoys comfort or certainty about the church he was ordained in. What name do we give to one who gives up almost everything to salvage some remnants of integrity, some means of healing, for the child victims of clergy abuse and their families? “Hero” almost doesn’t do it.
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The Secrets of Heaven and Hell
by Fr. John W. Goff Jr.
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(This originally ran in Communio in March of 1999. From A 3rd Serving
Of Chicken Soup For The Soul,
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield and Mark
Victor Hansen.)
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The old monk sat by the side of the road. With his eyes closed, his legs crossed
and his hands folded in his lap, he sat. In deep meditation, he sat. Suddenly
his zazen was interrupted by the harsh and demanding voice of a samurai warrior:
“Old man! Teach me about heaven and hell!”
At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible response from the
monk. But gradually he began to open his eyes, the faintest hint of a smile
playing around the corners of his mouth as the samurai stood there, waiting
impatiently, growing more and more agitated with each passing second.
“You wish to know the secrets of heaven and hell?” replied the monk at last.
“You who are so unkempt. You whose hands and feet are covered with dirt. You
whose hair is uncombed, whose breath is foul, whose sword is all rusty and
neglected. You who are ugly and whose mother dresses you funny. You would ask me
of heaven and hell?”
The samurai uttered a vile curse. He drew his sword and raised it high above his
head. His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck stood out in bold
relief as he prepared to sever the monk’s head from its shoulders.
“That is hell,” said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its
descent.
In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with amazement, awe,
compassion and love for this gentle being who had dared to risk his very life to
give him such a teaching. He stopped his sword in mid–flight and his eyes
filled with grateful tears.
“And that,” said the monk, “is heaven.”
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The Psychic
by Pam Pulizzi
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(Pam is a member of the Community of St. Malachi.)
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I love to be entertained. I enjoy movies, television (when I can find the time),
going to Playhouse or other performances, even my siblings’ band concerts! I
have often viewed psychics or other people on television who talk to people or
spirits on the other side. I have friends who really believe in this and
I have friends who frankly think I am an idiot for even giving it the time of
day.
Regardless, my PTA had a mom’s night out where a psychic came to a mom’s
house and for a nominal fee ($5.00) you could get your palm read, or for a
higher price you could get tarot cards or other things I am not familiar with.
I am always up for some entertainment and for a fun night out with friends, so I
signed up to go. I got to the party a few minutes late, so some people had
already had their readings. They were oohing and ahhing at how accurate this
woman (the psychic) was. They were talking about how she knew things that amazed
them. I got into the spirit of it all and started to get excited about my
reading from their energy.
When my turn came, the skepticism rose quickly, and I paid my $5.00 (not
expecting anything at all). She started with the obvious, 1). that I was married
(I had my ring on) and 2). that I had kids (I have no fingernails, my hands are
totally dry from washing them 20 times a day, and the most obvious, this was a
PTA night out). So now I am almost bored and kicking myself that I gave her
$5.00. She guessed that I was a Gemini. Now she had my attention. I wondered if
the mom hosting the night had given her some things to work with, but then I
realized she never asked my name. It continued on with her saying that there was
something new in my life but she couldn’t tell what. I took this as Joe’s
new job and working from home now. Then she said things about my future health
and lifelines and other things that could apply to just about anyone reading
this. While I was impressed with her ability to entertain, it was about to end
and I was pretty ambivalent about the experience.
Then she said (with true sincerity and surprise) that I have a lot of kids. But
then (with even more surprise) she said ‘but they’re not all yours’. Now I
was in, hook, line and sinker, as they say. I was convinced she could see things
in the wrinkles and lines of my hands. For background, I have two kids, that I
am blessed to be able to stay home with full time (and I love doing), but as a
general rule there are other kids all over our house. Be it to baby sit, play,
give another mom a break, whatever, each day at our house is different with who
will be there and who will visit that day. So this news from the psychic got me
pretty good.
The psychic was done. My time was up. I kind of sat there for a minute,
intrigued by her good guess but wanting for more. She had said nothing about my
spiritual life, about my relationship with Jesus, about my prayerfulness. This
is a huge part of who I am, at least I think so, and yet she made no mention of
it. What does this mean? Probably nothing I know, again this was entertainment,
but it did give me cause to reflect and be sure that my actions and behavior
were a true reflection of my Christianity and love for Jesus. As a parent it
encourages me to reflect that I am teaching my children the values I want them
to have as they grow up and when they are adults.
There are so many things in life that make me reflect and reevaluate; to assure
that my goals are intact and my priorities in order. I guess I never thought
that it would come from a mom’s night out, with a psychic, for fun. I realize
that it is true that we have to look around at everything and how it impacts us
and how we approach it. Am I truly showing my Christian faith in everything I
do? Would a stranger know that Jesus is the center of my circle?
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Looking For A New Editor for Communio
by Joe Pulizzi
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(Joe is a member of the Community of St. Malachi and editor of this
publication.)
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It’s almost 10 years to the day since I first started working on this
publication. It has been a fun, interesting and certainly fulfilling ride.
John Lucic, God bless him, gave me a couple stories about the Pope to
retype for a Communio series in the early part of 1998. From that point,
I was understudy to Peter Toomey, who was not only co-chair of the
Communications Committee with Dan Alaimo, but served as “technical
editor” of this publication for many years.
From their, I become co-assistant editor with Luis Gutierrez. While I
worked on putting the final touches on formatting, Luis worked with Dan, who was
chief editor, on the content. We made a great team, especially the emails back
and forth around midnight, which I printed and delivered to the rectory that
morning on my way to work (by sliding it underneath the rectory door). Thank
goodness for email today.
Dan then handed the reigns over to Luis. Luis loved being editor, and he was
very good at it. Unfortunately, because Luis became sick, I started to take over
both the editorial and layout portions of Communio. It’s been that way
ever since August 24, 2003.
I’m including my article from that issue about my taking over as editor below.
The story was called, aptly, “Change.” As you’ll see from the article,
this was always meant to be a “temp” job. But anyone that’s been a
Community member for any length of time knows that “temp” really means “coordinator”
or “head volunteer” or “you’re doing a great job…keep it up.”
I can honestly say two things. First is that I’m happy I’ve helped keep this
publication alive, and that I really believe I have done the best job I could
have. Second, I know that Dan, Luis and Peter did a better job. I’m
okay with that, but this Community deserves better than the time I make to
dedicate to this project.
There is more I could say about how I feel this publication could be so much
more, but I’ll simply say that I know in my heart there is someone in the
Community that God is calling to take on this role.
That said, I will continue to do this job for as long as it takes. I have no
hard deadlines on leaving or lines in the sand. But if you are called to be a
servant of God and the Community in this way, I’d be happy to assist.
Thanks to those who have contributed to the success of the publication, which I
believe is a key element to the success of this Community.
Below is the article from 2003. Enjoy!
It is always hard to follow in the footsteps of people who do things well and
give to something they believe in 100%. Well, it seems that is the exact
position I am in today as acting editor of Communio.
I say “acting” editor because there are some very qualified Community
members who have expressed interest in being editor of this publication. How
great is that? Don’t get me wrong, I certainly love the opportunity to edit
this publication (one of the two communication vehicles for the Community
of St. Malachi – see Mary Englert’s article in this issue), but I
have a feeling someone very special will fill this role, much like Dan Alaimo
and Luis Gutierrez before me.
Nothing too substantive to say in this editorial – except that change, though
difficult, can be a good thing. The Communications Committee met recently to
discuss what our true role is in the Community. What we all realized is that the
Community is changing – as it always has. In order to meet the needs of the
Community, our communications must continue to evolve and change as well. We don’t
know yet what, if any, changes will take place. All we know is that if we
continue doing things as usual, we’ll get passed up. Or, in someone else’s
words, “lose our edge”.
In the meantime, my goal is to continue the mission of this publication and to
promote diverse viewpoints within the Community. I want to continue to ask each
of you to think about what this Community means to you, and, if willing, to
express it in this publication. What I have learned over the past few years is
that there are far too many Community members with exciting and wonderful ideas
about who we are and what we are striving to become who are not sharing their
ideas with the Community at large. To those people I say, “Bring it on.” You
won’t regret it. To those who have – “Thank you, and keep it coming.”
Why is this important? Communication is the key to success for any relationship
– husband/wife, parent/child, company/employee, and even the relationship we
have with each other in this Community. The more we communicate and create a
dialogue with each other, the more we can begin to see what Jesus has in
store for us as a Church, as a Community of believers – and the more we can
begin to see Jesus in each other. The people who write for this publication do
so because they care about the welfare of the Community, and thus, each
individual member’s journey with Christ.
I’ve now been a Community member for five years. What a wonderful experience
it has been. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for us – what God has
planned for us. I know we will be open to that plan.
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Community of St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2380
216-781-3110 www.stmalachi.org
Sunday Community Mass 11 a.m. Parish Masses Sat. 4:30 p.m., Sun. 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
Holy day: Vigil 5:30 p.m., 7 a.m., noon. Weekday: 7 a.m., noon. Legal Holiday: 9 a.m.
We celebrate Children’s Liturgy of The Word every other Sunday, please see the Calendar.
For information on the Sacraments, please call the Community Office.
THE COMMUNITY OF ST. MALACHI is a lay-directed, non-territorial personal
parish of the Diocese of Cleveland. Although separate from the Parish of St.
Malachi, we join together for many worthwhile activities. All are welcome to
worship at the 11 a.m. Community liturgy on Sunday. Community members are
expected to actively contribute of their time, talent and treasure.
Communio is a monthly publication of the Communications Committee of the
Community of St. Malachi. Deadline is the second Sunday before publication. You
ease our task by submitting materials by E-Mail or on disk. All viewpoints of
interest to our Community in the context of our journey of faith are welcome
here. Viewpoints are those of the writers and not necessarily the teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church.
For e-mail delivery of Communio or Newsletter through CSM’s E-Subscription
service
complete the Newsletter/Communio Add/Removal Request Form
© 2007 Community of St. Malachi. Reprinting of articles originating in Communio
is encouraged – please contact the Editors for permission. |
Newsletter and Attachments: Nadge Herceg
440-930-2781
E-mail nadgeh@eriecoast.com
Communio
Chief Editor: Joe Pulizzi
216-941-5054
E-mail joe_pulizzi@yahoo.com
Volunteers to collate and staple:
Nadge Herceg 440-930-2781
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Volunteers to hand out after Mass:
Kevin Garven
Copying and attachments: Kimberly Tatro
216–781–3110
St. Malachi Web Site: Mike May
E–mail stmalachiweb@catholic.org
Prayer Request: If you have a
prayer request, please contact the rectory 216–781–3110
To receive Malachi e–mail prayer alerts, go to www.stmalachi.org/prayers.asp.
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