April 20, 2006

OMINOUS TREND EMERGES AS CATHOLIC LAITY SHOW SIGNS OF OPEN DISPUTE WITH BISHOPS

UNITED STATES
Spirit Daily

As yet, it's no large movement. In no region of North America has it come to dominate. It remains off the table at national bishops' conferences -- at least in open session.

But in various parts of the U.S. laymen as well as a number of priests have risen vocally against local ordinaries in a way that if unaddressed could turn ominous.

The tone has been startlingly direct in a Church known for a strict pecking order and used to unequivocal obedience.

The new approach to expressing concern seems to have arisen from the sexual-abuse crisis and charges that many bishops mishandled it, a perception that has roused a growing undercurrent of dissension, along with other issues.

Posted by kshaw at April 20, 2006 02:15 PM