Agenda set for meeting of concerned Catholics
From the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, March 26, 2008
Organizer says all seats are filled for closed session, for which he seeks an open dialogue but not extreme moves to alter diocese.
By Mark Guydishmguydish@timesleader.comEducation Reporter
An agenda has been released for a closed meeting of concerned Catholics scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn Express near the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International airport.
On the web
View the agenda
View excerpts of the letter
Organizer Pat McCormick plans to cover several topics, including “autocratic decision-making,” “lack of communication,” “apparent union busting”, and “poorly planned parish consolidations/unexpected school closings.”
McCormick, best known in Wilkes-Barre for his work with the Peace Center, is footing the bill for a session limited to 50 seats. In a brief e-mail that included the agenda, he noted all the seats were filled. He previously said the media will be barred so that those attending feel more comfortable speaking freely, but that he’ll probably discuss the meeting afterward if reporters are there.
McCormick has stressed he is not looking for a specific outcome from the meeting, but felt a need to open a dialogue about issues arising in the church, particularly since the struggle by some teachers to unionize hit the headlines in January. He said he is not looking for any radical efforts to change the diocese.
The agenda opens with a prayer and hymn followed by an introduction and two simple ground rules: One person speaks at a time, and “no name calling or vulgarity.”
McCormick then intends to spend about 10 minutes going over church documents he feels address the topics that prompted him to organize the meeting.
After that, he wants to open the floor for debate during a session dubbed “why are YOU here?” That will be followed by some brainstorming on possible solutions. The meeting will end with The Lord’s Prayer.
McCormick’s e-mail included excerpts from the documents he will cite. Under the topic he titled “Just a note on Christian conscience,” he quotes “The Church in the Modern World”: “Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of man. There he is alone with God, whose voice echoes in his depths.”
He cites two documents from Vatican Council II regarding “autocratic decision making,” one of which says a bishop “should ensure that the faithful are duly involved in church affairs,” and “should be willing to engage in dialogue with his priests, individually and collectively, not merely occasionally, but if possible regularly.”
Organizer says all seats are filled for closed session, for which he seeks an open dialogue but not extreme moves to alter diocese.
By Mark Guydishmguydish@timesleader.comEducation Reporter
An agenda has been released for a closed meeting of concerned Catholics scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn Express near the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International airport.
On the web
View the agenda
View excerpts of the letter
Organizer Pat McCormick plans to cover several topics, including “autocratic decision-making,” “lack of communication,” “apparent union busting”, and “poorly planned parish consolidations/unexpected school closings.”
McCormick, best known in Wilkes-Barre for his work with the Peace Center, is footing the bill for a session limited to 50 seats. In a brief e-mail that included the agenda, he noted all the seats were filled. He previously said the media will be barred so that those attending feel more comfortable speaking freely, but that he’ll probably discuss the meeting afterward if reporters are there.
McCormick has stressed he is not looking for a specific outcome from the meeting, but felt a need to open a dialogue about issues arising in the church, particularly since the struggle by some teachers to unionize hit the headlines in January. He said he is not looking for any radical efforts to change the diocese.
The agenda opens with a prayer and hymn followed by an introduction and two simple ground rules: One person speaks at a time, and “no name calling or vulgarity.”
McCormick then intends to spend about 10 minutes going over church documents he feels address the topics that prompted him to organize the meeting.
After that, he wants to open the floor for debate during a session dubbed “why are YOU here?” That will be followed by some brainstorming on possible solutions. The meeting will end with The Lord’s Prayer.
McCormick’s e-mail included excerpts from the documents he will cite. Under the topic he titled “Just a note on Christian conscience,” he quotes “The Church in the Modern World”: “Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of man. There he is alone with God, whose voice echoes in his depths.”
He cites two documents from Vatican Council II regarding “autocratic decision making,” one of which says a bishop “should ensure that the faithful are duly involved in church affairs,” and “should be willing to engage in dialogue with his priests, individually and collectively, not merely occasionally, but if possible regularly.”
posted by SDACT at
6:52 AM
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