Report
from Jim Post
on the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management Meeting
[VOTF president Jim Post is a member of the NLRCM]
The
NLRCM held its first formal meeting last week in Philadelphia
(October 13-14). The Roundtable is composed of up to
225 U.S. Catholic leaders from the business community
and nonprofit sector, whose expertise can assist the
Church to more effectively perform its mission in the
world.
In
its 2004 report, the Roundtable identified 48 areas for
improving church management at the diocesan and parish
levels, including human resources, finance, stewardship
planning, and organization. (See Thomas Healey, "A Blueprint
for Change," America, Sept, 26, 2005, pp.14-17) The Philadelphia
meeting was designed to develop an operational strategy
for beginning this work.
Geoff
Boisi, NLRCM chairman, stressed the group's commitment
to pursue a "call to excellence" in church management
to be pursued in collaboration with the bishops, individually
and through the USCCB. Boisi emphasized the non-doctrinal
character of the problems to be addressed and pledged
to steer the group away from doctrinal issues.
A
number of speakers noted the lack of credibility that
church leaders now face as a result of the mishandling
of clergy sexual abuse cases. Surprisingly, however,
none of the keynote speakers referred to the recent Philadelphia
grand jury report or the release of information by the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles on charges against more than
200 priests.
The
NLRCM effort rests on the belief that some bishops will
see the crying need for change, and respond to it. While
some may resist the degree of transparency being called
for in personnel and financial matters, there is an implicit
belief that greater accountability will lead to better
church management. By supporting and promoting those
strategies and approaches that are most effective, the
Roundtable will encourage wider recognition and adoption
of "best practices."
Bishop
Dale Melczek of Gary, Indiana is the USCCB representative
to the Roundtable and commended its members for their
willingness to bring their talents to the challenge of
modernizing church management.
One
highlight for the attendees was the appearance of Archbishop
Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans who spoke of the Catholic
response to Hurricane Katrina. Archbishop Hughes emphasized
the extraordinary efforts of people to help those in
need, and the Catholic community's plight as it has been
scattered and relocated. Special emphasis is now being
given to reopening schools which are critical to family
life. Rebuilding will take many years, and while the
Cathedral of St. Louis in New Orleans was relatively
undamaged, hundreds of other churches, schools, and related
buildings throughout the archdiocese and Gulf region
must be replaced. Insurance will provide only very limited
funds for this task. The archbishop closed by expressing
thanks for the prayers and assistance.
The
Roundtable's board will synthesize recommendations from
the meeting and develop an operational plan to be conducted
over the next year.
For
more information, contact http://www.nlrcm.org
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