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| An Overview Report for Australian Readers by Richard Sipe… By Richard Sipe Catholica June 20, 2008 http://www.catholica.com.au/gc2/occ/013_occ_210608.php Geoffrey Robinson the author of Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus, delivered 16 presentations across the United States; mostly at non-Roman Catholic venues because of instructions from Rome and local Ordinaries forbidding him to speak on church grounds, but people came in droves to hear him, an estimated 3,500 in all. A consortium of Catholic lay groups sponsored his lecture in San Diego: The local chapters of Call to Action; Dignity; VOTF; and SNAP. Cover of Democracy in America Richard Sipe Photo by W.E.B. Sipe Reporters in Philadelphia and Toronto, Canada, articulated Robinson's demeanor throughout the tour, "the intent and praxis of Bishop Robinson does not to seek to harm the church, but to create a better church. Bishop Robinson responded to a variety of questions in a quiet, thoughtful way, never once showing disrespect to his fellow bishops, but always keeping in mind the dictate that we are a church semper reformanda." Universally he was regarded as an honest and humble man who has an important message. He gives voice to the thoughts and concerns of many Catholics in the United States. This is a summary of what we heard: 1. The clergy sex abuse crisis is catastrophic for the Catholic community—the victims, the priests, and for its the long-term effects on the faith of all Catholics.A great deal more will be written and said about Robinson and his heroic and monumental stand clearly outlined in his book. The statements by the Australian bishops and echoed by the American bishops who forbid him to speak because Robinson would "cause confusion" in the minds of lay people sounds ridiculous to informed Catholics—clergy and lay—who have long held precisely the ideas that he expresses. The fact that the original prohibition comes from Cardinal Re in Rome only demonstrates the unholy use of power by the church. Robinson declined many media interviews because he felt that reporters bypassed the message of his book and concentrated on the reaction of the bishops who (universally) forbade him to speak on church property. His decorum in regard to fellow bishops was unfaltering and his desire to avoid controversy over the issue admirable, but in retrospect objective observers feel that he missed the significance to us of how church power was being misused in this regard. Sometimes the media does get it right and can spot real issues. Were it not for the American media the crisis of clergy abusing minors would have continued unabated. It was the press, victims' advocates along with lawyers that instigated reform initiatives in this country. Moral leadership from church authority was totally absent in regard to protecting children. Cardinals Re, Mahony, and the other bishops exemplify what Robinson describes in general terms as a problem of the system of power and obedience. He may have been too close to see it, but many American Catholics can't miss the archaic and odious use of dictatorial maneuvers in place of consultation, discussion, and dialogue, again not to protect the rights of children, but to exert control. Thirty-one percent of men and women raised as Catholics in the U.S.A. have left the Catholic Church [Pew Foundation Research 2008]. Ex Catholics now represent the second largest religious group in this country. The media is acutely aware that the misuse of power by the American hierarchy, their neglect of the sexual abuse of minors and their complicity in covering up the problem in favor of preserving their "bella figura" is related to the loss of confidence in bishops and the rejection of the church. The situation may be different in Australia. |
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