Laity is making itself heard

The other day I received a copy of a book titled The Catholic Challenge: A Question of Conscience.

My eyes—actually, my mind and heart—were stuck on the cover page: a painting showing a group of women and men carrying the image of the crucifix. Standing on the crucifix are images of three priests with bibles in their hands. So the laity are not only carrying the cross, they are also carrying the priests.

How the priests are presented is also interesting. The first priest wears stereo earphones—his ears are closed to the voices below. The next priest wears big dark glasses— he does not see the people. The last priest has his hand covering his mouth—he sees, he hears, but he cannot speak. (Mea maxima culpa to all the people to whom I have been an extra and unnecessary burden.)

The author, Thomas Rezanka, is an American Catholic, married, a parent, a lawyer by profession. He has held several leadership roles in his parish community. He has never studied theology. His book is a reflection of how a layperson experiences being a member of the Catholic Church in the United States. The book covers issues that are of concern to some Catholics in America.

Some of the issues he raises will be the subject of the annual conference of the Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) on October 29 in Chicago, Illinois. The theme of the meeting will be “Development of Mature, Healthy Catholics empowered to build a mature, healthy Church.”

The VOTF was formed in response to the child abuse crisis in the archdiocese of Boston, and the broader difficulties facing the US Church. The stated goals of the VOTF are threefold: To support survivors of clergy sexual abuse, to support priests of integrity, and to influence structural change within the Catholic Church.

Mr Rezanka challenges all Catholics to take a critical look at the myriad issues facing Catholics today. He does not only shout doom and gloom. He also proposes a framework for reconciliation with those hurt by some in Church leadership. His main concern is that many people have left the Church and are continuing to do so.

For him the answer cannot be found without the participation of the lay members of the Church. The laity must play a greater role in decision-making.

Mr Rezanka writes that “if those of us who follow Jesus do not confront the most controversial topics within the Church and society, then nothing will change.”

The topics that he suggest for consideration include: an evaluation of hierarchical and patriarchal structures within the Church; responsible and accountable stewardship; collaboration of the clergy and the laity; the Church’s treatment of gay and lesbian Catholics; optional celibacy; the participation of women in ministry; and issues of sexuality in general. He proposes a model of participation and consultation by all members of the Church as opposed to legislating by those who are powerful.

His is an attempt to encourage Catholics to bring about the necessary change within the Church through a closer understanding of their relationship to God, the Church and to all people of goodwill. While he emphasises the urgent need for change, he also empowers the person sitting in the pews to make informed decisions, work towards greater lay participation in the Church, foster necessary change, and help bring about a reconciliation with thousands of Christians who have left the Church in recent years.

We should not hurry to dismiss the presence of people who love the Church, like Thomas Rezanka and those who will be meeting under the auspices of the Voice of the Faithful in Chicago.

It is a blessing that the laity are interested and involved in the evangelising mission of the Church. All of us, laity and clergy, men and women, gay and straight, young and old, belong to each other by our baptism. We pray for the US Church.

Jesus, Lord and Brother, help us with our faithfulness. Please hear our voice, and let our voice be heard. Amen.