Responses to Current Issues: The Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal

"ANNOUNCING"

The First Southern Illinois Synod of Laity:
(Exploring our Rights and Responsibilities!)

June 8, 2002
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Central Christian Church
301 N. 10th Street
Mt. Vernon, Illinois

An Invitation!

Responding to the many publicized abuses of authority in the handling of recent molestation cases in the Roman Catholic Church, we invite all Southern Illinois Catholics to join us in defining the priorities for the desperately needed renewal in our Church.

We can easily criticize our leaders because we have had no choice in selecting them. The situation calls for our church to rethink the way structures of authority are formed, and it is time we, the laity, become part of that reformed structure. We can no longer allow secrecy and cover up to be part of the everyday operation of our Church. We need a Church that is accountable.

In light of this, we urge our sisters and brothers in the pews to grow in knowledge and responsibility.

Join us...for a day of education, reflection and sharing in an atmosphere free of clericalism and authoritative influence or restric- tions. In other words, equals talking with equals.

Since folks from several parishes asked to host this synod, we thought it best to select "neutral ground." We appreciate the hospitality of our Christian sisters and brothers at Central Christian Church!

Our Purpose and Hope!
This will be the first of several Diocesan-wide meetings. With the help of guest speakers, we will learn our rights and responsibilities as lay Catholics. We have heard Canon Law quoted by Church leaders to explain and justify the workings of the Institution, but seldom have we heard what our rights are as dictated by that same law.

Our morning plenary session, presented by a Canon lawyer, will explore our rights as laity. Following that we will hold break-out sessions focusing on specific areas of concern.

The afternoon plenary session will explain the responsibilities we all face as faith-filled Catholics. Subsequent break-out sessions will focus on how to share what we have learned with our individual parish communities.

When the information has been disseminated and studied through-out the diocese, we will gather again and invite our Bishops and pastors to join our discussion.


Schedule

8:30 a.m. Registration

9:15 a.m. Plenary Session
"What does Canon Law say about the Laity?"

10:15 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. Break-out Sessions

11:45 a.m. Lunch Break (Many local
eating establishments are available, or you may bring your lunch.)

1:15 p.m. Plenary Session
"Our Responsibilities!"

2:15 p.m. Break

2:30 p.m. Break-out Sessions

3:45 p.m. Gathering for Liturgy

4 p.m. Eucharist ... Sending Forth

Advance registration is not required but notification of the number of people in your party would be appreciated for planning purposes. Please contact:

Yvonne Van Horn, Synod Committee
329 Portland Avenue
Belleville, IL 62220 618 235-2035

Some Basic Rights
(per Canon Law)

• All Catholics have the right to follow their informed consciences in all matters. C.748.1)
• Officers of the Church have the right to teach on matters both of private and public morality only after wide consultation with the faithful prior to the formulation of the teaching. (C.212, C.747, C.749, C.752, C.774.1)
• All Catholics have the right to engage in any activity which does not infringe on the rights of others, e.g., they have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association. (C.212:2,3, C.215, C.223:1)
• All Catholics have the right of access to all information possessed by Church authorities concerning the former's spirtual and temporal welfare, provided such access does not infringe on the rights of others. (C.218, C.221:1,2,3, C.223:1, C.537)
• All Catholics have the right to a voice in all decisions that affect them, including the choosing of their leaders. (C.212:3)
• All Catholics have the right to have their leaders accountable to them. (C.492, C1287.2)
• All Catholics have the right to form voluntary associations to pursue Catholic aims including the right to worship together; such associations have the right to decide on their own rules of governance. (C.215, C.299, C.300, C.305, C.309)
• All Catholics have the right to express publicly their dissent in regard to decisions made by Church authorities. C.2112:3, C.218, C.753)
• All Catholics have the right to have Church office-holders foster a sense of community. (C.369, C.515)
• All Catholics have the right, while being mindful of Gospel norms, to follow whatever paths will enhance their life in Christ (i.e., their self-realization as unique human beings created by God). They also have the right to guidance that will foster authentic human living both on a personal level and in relation to their communities and the world. (C.213)
• All Catholics, regardless of race, age, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, state-of-life or social position have the right to receive all the sacraments for which they are adequately prepared. (C.213, C.843:1)
• (Above Canon Law excerpts provided by ARCC, Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church. The word "Catholic" is used for "Roman Catholic" and "Church" for "Roman Catholic Church" throughout.)

The Synod Committee

Al Coleman
Loretta Garing
Dawn Hackman
Anne Harter
Sam Hladyshewsky
Mike Horcher
Karen Huntington
Jay Jensen
Dixie Johnson
Catherine Kaufman
Arlou Koch
Ginny Madden
Carol Maertens
Diane Maertens
Helen Martin
Judy Meier
Chris Pohlman
Louise Schwaegel
Rachel Thackery
Mary Wilborn
Yvonne Van Horn

 

 


 
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