At press time, March 16, CTA national board and staff, with input from CTA regions, had this reflection on current events in Rochester. They hope to provide a fuller analysis of the situation in the weeks ahead.

Call To Action is deeply saddened by the Feb. 24 statement of the Rochester, N.Y., diocesan chancellor that Fr. James Callan of Corpus Christi parish "has excommunicated himself" as have "Catholics who have joined the new church." We don't know how the diocese arrived at the conclusion that a new church had been formed. It is our understanding that at this time the community is still involved in a discernment process to consider the various ways they might define themselves as a body. We were pleased to hear that "Bishop Clark has no plans to formally excommunicate anyone in the new community." (Rochester Catholic Courier, 3/4/99.) It is unfortunate that the diocese and this community have not had direct communication with one another for months.

Over the past several months, CTA has consistently urged the Corpus Christi Faith Community to keep working within the church for the reforms it desires, as CTA continues to do. If the Corpus Christi Faith Community ultimately chooses to separate from the Roman Catholic Church, we will not be able to endorse their choice, yet we respect the integrity of their consciences in responding to the demands of the pastoral needs among them.

One of the primary issues triggering this conflict was the presence of a woman assisting Fr. Callan at the altar during Mass. The exclusion of women from the priesthood as well as from almost all decision-making positions in the Roman Catholic Church is a position which the Vatican will ultimately have to revise. Two-thirds of Catholics in the U.S. believe that women should be ordained and the majority of Catholics in many other countries agree. So do our daughters and sons, who will shape tomorrow's church. Theologians and scripture scholars have found no solid ground for the ban on women's ordination. History will judge the Vatican's position on women as just as bizarre as its condemnation of Galileo for teaching that the earth was not the center of the universe. Two other Corpus Christi practices which precipitated the current predicament were the blessing of same sex unions in private home Masses and the welcoming of non-Catholics to share Communion. Both of these practices developed as pastoral responses to the needs of individuals in the Corpus Christi community. CTA can continue to find common cause with the Corpus Christi Faith Community on issues of inclusivity, on their mission of outreach to the poor, on their manifest respect for every person's human dignity and human rights, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

It is tragic that pressure from the Vatican reportedly precipitated this crisis. CTA acknowledges the vision and pastoral ministry demonstrated over many years by Bishop Matthew Clark in the Rochester diocese. He has encouraged and supported the many pastoral leaders and parishes in that diocese who, in less visible ways, are working to incorporate in our church the same values and vision adhered to by Corpus Christi. People of faith and good will on all sides of this issue have suffered.

We have seen how the pain of this conflict has resulted in bitter attacks of one against the other, which have only resulted in escalating the situation, and which prevent many from recognizing the true source of the pain. CTA is committed to seeking common ground and personal healing among all those in Rochester who share the Vatican II vision of a participatory, inclusive, servant church.

A central experience of all our lives is that sometimes only through pain can new life and growth come about. Paradoxically, this tragic conflict may hasten the day when women and all people are accorded full equality in our church.

We urge all concerned Catholics to write letters of prayer and personal support to Corpus Christi and to Bishop Clark as they seek truth and the will of the Spirit in this very difficult time in our church. We also urge that letters be sent to the Vatican's Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. about this situation.

Addresses
Corpus Christi Faith Community
c/o Salem U.C.C.
60 Bittner St.
Rochester NY 14604
E-mail: TArnold23@aol.com

Bishop Matthew Clark
1150 Buffalo Rd.
Rochester NY 14624
fax 716 328-3149

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo
Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S.
3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington DC 20008-3687
fax 202 337-4036

Internet discussion
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