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	Diocese Doesn't Sanction Lay Forum By Terry Lee Goodrich Fort Worth Star-Telegram [Texas] March 23, 2007 http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/nation/16959525.htm DFW Lay Council, a year-old Catholic group, will conduct a forum Saturday in Arlington to encourage Catholics to get more involved in church issues, but the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth said it has not been consulted about the gathering and does not sanction it. The 12-member council invited Lena Woltering, a leader in the emerging national Catholic lay movement, and Sister Kate Kuenstler, a canon lawyer, both from Belleville, Ill., to speak. About 70 people have registered to attend and participate in small group discussions. Topics will include women's roles in the church, the declining number of priests, the inclusion of gays and lesbians in parish life, and how laity and parishes can be more responsive to sexual abuse by the clergy. While church law states that church members have a "right and duty" to make their opinions and concerns known to pastors and church leaders, this must be done while they "maintain communion" with the church, Fort Worth Bishop Kevin Vann said in a brief statement on the diocese's Web site. He said that a glance at the council's Web site "reveals that its agenda is, in many areas, quite at odds with ... the practice and discipline of the Catholic Church." Woltering said the group does not have an agenda. She said Catholics don't need to ask permission to gather together as a community of faithful. IN THE KNOW Lay forum Lay people are invited to the forum Our Voices in the Church. 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Tarrant County College Southeast Campus, 2100 Southeast Parkway, Arlington $20 in advance, $30 walk-in Information: 817-483-0524 Terry Lee Goodrich, 817-685-3812 tgoodrich@star-telegram.com
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