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Voice of the Faithful has become a clear and reasoned voice for millions of American Catholics who have wept for their Church, reached out to survivors of clergy sexual abuse, and are committed to ensuring that such abuse never occurs again. Throughout history, Catholics have been engaged in the great social justice causes of the times. On so many social issues, the Catholic Church stood on "the right side of history" because it stood on firm moral ground. It had a moral voice.

Times have changed.

The clergy sexual abuse crisis has forced American Catholics to stand at a crossroads. One road leads to the "ask no questions" tradition of earlier times. The other is the road to accountability, openness and involvement of the laity in Church affairs. The American Catholic Church is struggling to regain its place on the "right side of history." And it needs the help of American Catholics to do so. The clergy sexual abuse crisis is the worst in the 500-year history of the Church in North America. The need to heal and to reclaim our moral credibility is enormous.

Some years ago, religion scholar David O'Brien wrote a book entitled, From the Heart of the American Church. This book examines the influence of Catholic education on American life. O'Brien, now a professor at the College of the Holy Cross, interviewed prominent Americans and asked how Catholic education had influenced their lives. Michael Harrington, an activist of an earlier era, explained that his Jesuit education had taught him two things: Ideas have consequences; and, then, you're responsible.

American Catholics are the beneficiaries of two powerful sets of ideas. From our national democratic tradition, we have learned that freedom is important; that accountability is essential; and that free speech and the right of assembly are fundamental rights. From our Catholic faith, we have learned that morality matters, that individual conscience is critical and that we have a baptismal responsibility to work for the good of our Church.

This is the DNA that we share as American Catholics in 2002. Like the double helix, these ideas are entwined in our belief system and in our lives. We believe in these ideas. And because we believe in these ideas and the values they represent, we are responsible to see they become values in practice.

One year ago on September 11th, our nation learned the terrible price we had to pay for our democratic freedoms. Faith in our nation and faith in God were joined. Our Catholic faith provided support for thousands of grieving Americans.

This year, we have learned what it means and what it takes to be a true American Catholic who believes in morality, accountability, freedom, individual conscience and Catholic responsibility. As Michael Harrington said, ideas have consequences. And, then, you're responsible. Some may argue that the Church in 2,000 years old has changed very little. In fact, the Church has continuously adapted to new realities. Today, these new realities include Voice of the Faithful. To knowledgeable observers, Voice of the Faithful is what the Second Vatican Council contemplated - a real voice of, and for, the laity.

Ultimately, we are fighting for what one of the many women religious involved in Voice of the Faithful described as "a Church that would make Jesus smile." That pretty well summarizes our purpose and our message. And that pretty well describes the state of American Catholicism today. We are in need of reform so that we can build a Church that would, indeed, make Jesus smile.

In the Vineyard
Table of Contents

Page One

Jim Post's Speech

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Working Group

Voices, Voices Everywhere!

Notes

• A Few Contributors to In the Vineyard might enjoy this link identified by our Webmaster, Eileen Hespeler. It covers the topic of writing online: http://www.clickz.com/design/write_onl/
• Many of our members have written of their great appreciation for the homilies by Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton of Michigan. The website address for The Peace Pulpit, homilies by Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, is http://nationalcatholicreporter.org/peace/
• Be sure to click onto the Boston College website for information and re-caps on the education initiative "The Church in the 21st Century - From Crisis to Renewal"
• There is now a printer friendly version of "In the Vineyard"
• Terry McKiernan of Our Lady Help of Christians, Newton, tells us that Ben's Bakery in Providence, RI is donating 10% of their holiday-season sales to Survivors Appeal. This is a single-donation collection fund, which will distribute money to all the survivor groups as well as individual survivors. Ben's sells fudge, candies, nuts and other gift items. Italian cookies are a specialty as are custom baskets. Purchases can be made online at http://www.bensbakeryandcafe.com.
• A Place at the Table Survivors and supporters have put together a simple cookbook for the holidays and throughout the year, dedicated to the memory of Laura Gallagher -- amazing mom and friend, and wife of Joe Gallagher, who has been a solid supporter of survivors from the beginning of this crisis. A Place at the Table: Cuisine with Compassion is available for $15.00, with the proceeds going to survivor organizations in the Boston area. If you are interested in buying a copy, please contact Steve Lewis at afreeknight@attbi.com
• Slowly we have assembled a group of volunteers to make up an Editorial Advisory Board who will help gather material for, edit and distribute In the Vineyard as well as the quarterly publication. Members are Cathy Fallon, Eileen Hespeler, Amy Kotsopoulos, Anne Murphy, Jane McDaid, Donna Salacuse, Midge Seibert, Steve Sheehan, Tom Smith and Peggie Thorp. We expect to have our first group meeting in January.