December 2001 Call to Action News

Sweetser: Handling an unruly pastor

In the midst of Jesuit Fr. Tom Sweetser's presentation on practical ways to renew parish life, a frustrated woman raised her hand and declared, "You don't know my pastor! He won't cooperate with anybody. He's got all the answers." Sweetser, who has been ministering to parishes for some 20 years, didn't miss a beat. He launched into a salvo of ideas about "how to pastor the pastor." First, he said, identify the problem. Why is there discontent with the pastor, who in the parish shares it, and what reasonably can be done? Then, seek out those parishioners who have the pastor's ear; see if they share the concern and might be willing to approach him. Or, he said, distressed parish members might try to find "entry points" - that is, matters about which everyone, including the pastor, has a common view, and move gradually from there. Or a group might talk to the pastor about things he does especially well and then bridge carefully into the sticking points. Or parish leaders might provide opportunities for various groups, like choir members, lectors, or eucharistic ministers, to gather regularly for communication and interaction, thereby preparing a more coordinated, strategic approach.

The aim of all this is dialogue, Sweester emphasized: a mutual sharing in trust between pastor and people. Though that may seem idealistic, Sweetser said Catholics should "expect the unexpected" because the future of the church is in the hands of the Holy Spirit.

His wisdom on such topics can be gleaned from his latest book, "The Parish as Covenant: A Call to Pastoral Partnership" (Sheed & Ward, 2001.)