Bishops not cowed by Vatican on liturgy issues

Despite Vatican efforts to seize control of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (Feb. 2000 ChurchWatch), it seems the 11 English-speaking national bishops’ conferences in ICEL are not caving in. As requested by the Vatican’s Cardinal Medina, ICEL has drafted a new constitution. It gives bishops’ conferences closer involvement with ICEL staff and operations, but it ignores Medina’s demands for Vatican veto power over all ICEL decisions, even the appointment of ICEL consultants. The revised draft drew supportive comments at the June meeting of the U.S. Bishops, though several bishops, including CTA member Raymond Lucker, expressed concern about the requirement that all ICEL liturgical translations get Vatican approval. Chicago Cardinal Francis George, the U.S. representative on ICEL’s board, made no mention of the Medina requirements, even though his own earlier draft met all of Medina’s demands but was rejected by ICEL in January. The next ICEL board meeting is in late July. George told the NCR in June that he had already met with Medina about “sticking points” in the draft.

Vatican cracks down on divorced and remarried

A new document from three Vatican departments in July has sternly reasserted that Catholics who divorce and remarry without a church annulment may not receive communion unless they abstain from sex. Ministers “must refuse to distribute communion to those who are publicly unworthy,” the document said. Recent polls in many countries, including Italy, show large majorities of Catholics disagreeing with the Vatican position. Bishops and priests in many locales have urged a more pastoral approach. So did the We Are Church referendum in its various forms in many countries, including the U.S. version endorsed by CTA in 1996.

New Chiapas bishop follows Ruiz's example

Don Felipe Arizmendi, new bishop in Chiapas, Mexico, is continuing former Bishop Samuel Ruiz's staunch opposition to the violence by the Mexican army and paramilitary groups against the indigenous peoples of the region. Arizmendi is under intense pressure from Vatican cardinals, business leaders and the government to back away from Ruiz's policies that liberate the native people for self-determination both religiously and politically. But he has retained Ruiz's major diocesan officials, and followed the advice of the 250-member diocesan assembly on all new appointments. Ruiz himself continues as president of the human rights center that fearlessly blows the whistle on extra-judicial murders and other abuses that have increased sharply during Mexico's election year.

Time to visit Chiapas

In the U.S., Witness for Peace, Global Exchange, and other organizations in the Mexico Solidarity Network (MSN) are sending a steady stream of summer and fall delegations to Chiapas as a preventive measure against paramilitary violence during the election cycle. Since 1994 not one killing has occurred where international observers have been present. Get details from MSN: 773 583-7728 or msn@mexicosolidarity.org

Registry for gay couples

Applauding Vermont for enacting the nation's first state law recognizing same-sex unions, Dignity/USA is also publicizing its own program to support same-sex couples in committed relationships, its guidelines for Dignity chapters to celebrate weddings and commitment ceremonies for member couples, and its national registry of couples whose unions have been blessed by Dignity chapters. Dignity/USA's executive director, Marianne Duddy, will lead focus sessions on same-sex marriages Nov. 4 at the CTA National Conference.

Contact Dignity/USA at 202 861-0017 or Dignity@aol.com