June 2001 Call to Action News

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Shame on Notre Dame

This letter from a longtime CTA member went to the president of Notre Dame before President Bush received an honorary degree and gave the school’s commencement address May 20.

It’s likely George W.’s advisers knew that an appearance at Notre Dame might give him a sheen of respectability. Too bad Notre Dame’s advisers are willing to surrender the school’s credibility.

With Catholic priests and sisters incarcerated in federal prison for speaking truth to U.S. power run amok, and with decent citizens speaking out against indefensible policies such as the use of depleted uranium, sanctions against Iraq, renewed plans for Star Wars, and funding for Plan Colombia, it is clear who follows the gospel message and who doesn’t.

With profound disappointment in your compliance with militarism,

Pat McSweeney, Taunton, Mass.

Ecumenical allies

I am a retired Presbyterian minister and my wife and I are members of a small community (The Community of Christ of the Desert) that meets every Saturday evening for mass, close fellowship and a pot-luck supper. The community has become truly our spiritual home, although we still retain our relationship with the Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson (where the Sanctuary Movement for Central American Refugees began). The members of the Community are all in touch with CTA and a number have attended your conferences. We are inspired by your organization; we are supportive of your issues; and we hope to remain in close touch. You are in our prayers.

Rendell A. Davis, Tucson, Ariz.

Vigils for opening priesthood

I am wondering if CTA could call for more public prayer vigils for the ordination of women and married people, especially since the priest shortage (shortage of vision) seems to be getting more attention. We had such a vigil on Good Friday outside of the cathedral in Burlington, Vt. It was not easy to do, since Julie dressed as a deacon and I as a priest, but it sure was powerful. We did have very gentle signs: how we love the church, we know our priests and are overworked, we are the church, etc. Never have I been blessed and cursed so much in one evening by people on their way in for the Good Friday service. One woman gave us a donation on the spot. Several said “Bless you. The change cannot come soon enough.” Several men cursed us. One woman shook her fist in my face! It seems to be very powerful for people to see women vested in public. So many Catholics do not know that priests and bishops used to marry.

Marie Bean, CTA Northern Vermont
Burlington, Vt.

E-mail the president Besides your letters to CTA office, CTA board president, Sr. Mary Ann Mueninghoff, OP, welcomes letters and ideas directly to her. Send them to maryann.mueninghoff.1@nd.edu