Welcome to the Culture of Conversation
www.cultureofconversation.org
In December of 2002, a diverse group of committed Catholics issued a statement challenging the culture of silence that currently dominates the Roman Catholic Church. The statement, entitled "Ephphatha: Be Opened," addressed Vatican II's vision of a church that was marked by conversation, consultation, and collaboration -- qualities that have yet to take root in our church. The Ephphatha
Statement spoke to how a culture of silence prevails in all corners of the Church and urged that such silence must end. It said, in part:
"The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) sought to renew the Church so that it might proclaim the gospel more effectively in the contemporary world. A sign of and a means to that renewal were to be the active participation of every member of the Church, each according to her/his own gifts and competencies, in the Church's life and work. Embracing the vision of Blessed John XXIII, the Council laid the foundations for a Church marked by conversation, consultation, and collaboration. The Council summoned every member of the People of God to new responsibilities in accord with their God-given dignity, talents and baptismal call. No longer were they to be silent subjects but active partners in every aspect of the Church's life.
"This part of the renewal has not taken root. Procedures and structures for meaningful conversation, consultation, and collaboration were never sufficiently developed. Terrible as it is, the sexual abuse crisis is not the only consequence of silence in our Church. When leaders make decisions without consulting those affected, they do not necessarily make bad decisions, but neither can we be confident that they are the best ones. Even a good decision will lack the support and credibility that consultation provides. Issues that affect the Church's mission and credibility, such as the availability of the Eucharist, qualifications for ordained ministry, financial accountability, and sexuality have not been open for discussion. Only official procedures and teachings are acceptable. Other views are dismissed or even repressed. There is a growing fear of speaking out. A culture of silence too often prevails.
The Culture of Conversation is stimulating respectful conversations among a broad spectrum of Catholics. We want to encourage Catholics to engage each other in conversations when confronted with silencing about contemporary challenges that face the Church. We intend to foster open and mutual communication and collaborative decision-making. We work to support an atmosphere of trust, hope and openness to one another and to the Holy Spirit.
In support of this vision, we created this blog. We intend it to be a forum in which issues can be raised and discussed in a spirit of civility and mutual respect. We hope it will be a tool that assists people in engaging in these much-needed conversations.
This blog is hosted by the Culture of Conversation Steering Commitee. We are leaders—women, men, lay, religious, clergy—of diverse Catholic organizations who are committed to transforming the culture of silence that prevails in our Church.
We hope you will be a partner in that vision. Join the conversation. Welcome.
posted by Culture of Conversation Host at 1:13 PM
9 Comments:
As a member of the steering commitee, I'm excited to see us open up the dialog in this new and unlimited way. We will be posting topics for response beginning Monday, Sept. 11th. In the interim, I'd like to ask our visitors: Are you feeling the need for this sort of dialog? Where are you seeing dialog happen well, and where is discussion shut down?
Mary Louise Hartman commented
Do I detect a form of dialog in the recent meeting called by Benedict with his former doctoral students to discuss evolution? I think so. I definitely see a lack of dialog in Bishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee who has attacked CTA in the diocesan newspaper for scheduling at the annual November conference the women ordained in Pittsburg. Sure he has a right to his stance but he could have initiated some conversation before the attack. That kind of gesture is what we need to see.
I am encouraged to see this step taken in trying to do some forward movement in the area of conversation and collaboration on issues that touch the very heart and soul of who we are as vital participants in the creation story that is still evolving at this very time.
I am convinced that the challenge of our differences is where we have the greatest chance for growth and transformation.
I hope this will provide opportunity for us to reap the harvest as we transform ourselves and others by listening and sharing with an open heart and mind.
Congratulations on this new blog. I hope the word of its inception gets out, and that people post responsibly.
Congratulations on a wonderful new site to “converse!” This gives everyone a chance to speak out quickly and easily on issues related to our church. In order to get the most benefit from this, it might be a good idea to advertise this site wherever possible and to encourage others to join the conversation. It might also be a good idea to respond to some of the other “blog” sites out there with differing opinions. For example, Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford Illinois issued a statement last month, entitled “The Seven Sacraments of Secularism” (http://home.newadvent.org/2006/08/the_seven_sacra.html#comments.
In it he lists the 7 Secular Sacraments as: “abortion, buggery, contraception, divorce, euthanasia, feminism of the radical type, and genetic experimentation and mutilation“ and says that “adherents of one political party would place us squarely on the road to suicide as a people.” He compares this party to the Nazis and adds that it is the duty of every Catholic to… work for the extirpation from our society of all those who would any way foster or promote these things.”
So far there have been over 200 replies to this statement – most of them praising the bishop...
Thomas Doran's inflamatory statement reveals a great deal about his ministerial outlook and his nineteenth century positioning (buggery???). It also reveals that he is not a bishop interested in dialog. What does he mean that every Catholic has to work for the "extirpation from society of these things"? Sounds like a page out of the Taliban manual to me.
It is certainly true that a culture of silence exists in the Roman Catholic Church today. I am a recent convert (1 1/2 years) and I have already noticed this. But I have been calling it the "culture of fear". The laity are afraid of speaking out for fear that they will be denied the sacraments or asked to leave the Church. The presbyters are afraid to speak out for fear of being reassigned by their bishop to parts unknown. The bishops are afraid to speak out for fear of being censured by the Holy Father or called to Rome for a spanking. And it could be that Pope Benedict fears us all--who knows. I came from the Episcopal Church where this culture doesn't exist. Maybe I should go back.
I have to admit that I am troubled by CTA's embrace of the "irregular" ordinations that took place in Pittsburgh. I certainly do not think that the "official" reasons for restricting ordination to males in the RCC are convincing. At the same time, I wonder, what meaning could such ordinations have in a Church that does not recognize their legitimacy? I need others' perspectives on this matter since, right now, to me, actions like these seem more harmful than helpful to authentic dialogue and ecclesial communion.
Chris Schenk csj
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