Bridgeport Program Feb. 6, 2009, 10 a.m.

Yesterday:
Joseph F. O'Callaghan, historian, author of Electing our Bishops: How the Catholic Church Should Choose its Leaders and professor emeritus at Fordham University, will describe the days when bishops were chosen from their communities by priests and laity. They knew their people and remained in their diocese, usually until their death. How did we go so far off track? What's wrong with a system of papal appointments? Can we return to the climate of transparency, accountability and simplicity known in those days?

Today:
Are we facing an institutional train wreck? Joe Lynaugh, who has seen the good, the bad and the ugly across many types of institutions in a succession of high level positions in the Archdiocese of New York, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, New York Life Insurance Company and entrepreneurial start-ups, will present an overview of today's church leadership, not only in the United States but worldwide. What doe the Dublin Report and the ongoing horrifying news from Chicago, California, Bridgeport, Connecticut, and other sites of clergy sexual abuse and ongoing cover-up schemes tell us about our current bishops? What has to change? Can anything change?

Tomorrow:
Linda Pinto will talk about the exciting American Catholic Council, which will take place in Detroit on Pentecost in June, 2011. Why such a Council? How can we participate now? What will happen at the Council? What can such a Council of laity really accomplish?

Linda, a former Franciscan nun, is married to Ralph, a priest of the Diocese of Newark, and serves on the Board of CORPUS, the National Association for an Inclusive Priesthood. She works in senior housing and healthcare.

There will be plenty of time or your questions. Come share a morning with us. Coffee, bagels, and stimulating conversation!