With respect, we can debate

The Catholic Church is in the news again. That’s not unusual in the United States. In this culture bishops, priests and lay people debate openly.

Now the public is debating the possible successor of New York Cardinal Edward Egan who should retire next year. But Rome decides. The media reports mentioned the names of bishops concerned. In this way people were informed about what is due to happen.

Secondly they had a glimpse of names on the list. This allowed people to start debating and reflecting about their favourite candidates. (In US culture this is called lobbying).

As if that was not enough, CBS, one of America’s largest television networks, reported that some priests were circulating a letter calling for a vote of no confidence on the leadership of New York archdiocese. I am sure Rome will not be oblivious to the wishes of the priests and laity of New York archdiocese.

The Journal Sentinel, the biggest newspaper in Wisconsin, reported the Call To Action 2006 national conference under the theme inspired by the book of Exodus, I AM! Rise Up, People of God!

The organisation called Catholics to recognise the divine in ourselves and in all those around us all of us have been called by Christ to rise up and work for justice in our Church and in our society.

This call was realised when New Orleans parishioners opposed their archbishop’s decision to close their parish, the oldest African-American parish in the country, and succeeded in negotiating to keep the parish open.

The conference’s line-up included former South African Dominican nun and seminary professor, Patricia Fresen, whose topic was titled I Am Calling Both Women and Men to Priesthood.

The Catholic Herald ran a guest column by Fr Bryan Massingale who urged Catholics to reject a constitutional ban on gay marriage. The newspaper is published by Milwaukee’s Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Fr Massingale, an African-American diocesan priest and a professor of moral theology at Marquette University has suffered no repercussions from his bishop. The Milwaukee Priest Alliance, an organisation of 140 priests who serve in the archdiocese agreed with Fr Massingale.

Archbishop Dolan has gone on record welcoming respectful discussion in the Church. Kathleen Hohl, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, told the media that priests are free to speak out on the issues and to share [their] views at local parishes. Several parishes even distributed copies of Fr Massingale’s essay at their Masses.

At the same time, a letter by Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, Wisconsin, leaked to the press, and since published on the diocesan website, warned priests that any verbal or non-verbal expression of disagreement with the bishop will have to be considered by myself as an act of disobedience, which could have serious consequences.

Bishop Morlino directed that Masses during the weekend of November 4-5 include a 14-minute tape-recorded message from him in place of the homily. The message urged Catholics to oppose gay marriage, the death penalty and embryonic stem-cell research.

Turning to South Africa, we thank Rome and all who ensured that the people of Kroonstad have a shepherd (Umzimkulu, are you envious? Take heart!). I knew Mgr Stephen Brislin during his monthly visits to Kroonstad seminarians at St Peter’s and St John Vianney seminaries. These visits made most of us envious.

I have already congratulated him personally. I know him as a humble priest. He had mastered the Sesotho language of his parishioners and diocese, a challenge still facing many priests in our country. (By the way in the US you will never be allowed to be a parish priest if you can’t speak the local language. They allowed me. South Africans are very tolerant).

It is clear that not all Catholics agree with the bishops. But we can have a respectful discussion in the Church.