D.C. forum links CTA with justice allies

by Christine Schenk, CSJ

CTA and FutureChurch hosted a forum March 21 in Washington, D.C., for representatives of various Catholic organizations who share their concerns for justice in both church and society.

On the Church justice front, FutureChurch/CTA reported the wide success of the Women in Church Leadership project on behalf of women/lay ministers. The Leadership Conference of Women Religious described their "Benchmarks II" effort which seeks data on the experience of women in church leadership positions right now. Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) discussed their advocacy on behalf of ministers who have experienced injustice and their longstanding work developing a Catholic Constitution. ARCC sees a constitution as necessary to build collegiality, subsidiarity and other democratic structures, following the vision of Vatican II.

Staffers from the Women's Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) brought news of Jubilee Day for Women celebrations in dioceses nationwide. NCCB's new Lay Ecclesial Ministry Subcommittee will be addressing the spiritual formation of lay ministers, financial and human resource issues, and development of the theology of lay ministry.

On the societal justice front, four organizations were represented. Pax Christi reported on their Catholic Campaign Against Military Spending. National Interfaith Committee on Worker Justice is working on migrant farm worker and nursing home issues. NETWORK is focusing on anti-poverty issues and the livable wage campaign. The Center of Concern announced that its Celebrate Jubilee and Justice workbook has proven to be its most successful educational resource ever.

Participants explored better ways their groups can network and collaborate, and agreed to meet again next year.