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	NW Catholics May Be a Flock, but They Don't Behave like Sheep By Joel Connelly Seattlepi September 18, 2009 http://www.seattlepi.com/connelly/410284_joel18.html?source=mypi Pietro Sambi and Giovanni Battista Re are hardly household names even in their native Italy, but both men will play a key role in a decision that bears on the lives of more than 600,000 Catholics in Washington. The Vatican is in the process of picking a new archbishop for Seattle, and a bishop for the Diocese of Spokane. Archbishop Alex Brunett and Spokane-based Bishop William Skylstad have reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. Both choices are sensitive, with the church needing to avoid making a clerical error. In particular, many in the Seattle Archdiocese refuse to accept what critics call the "three d's" that the Vatican desires for American Catholics: dogma, discipline and docility. Details of the transition process are "confidential," as Brunett wrote recently in his archdiocesan newspaper. The decision on new spiritual shepherds will -- literally -- be made upstairs. Archbishop Re, apostolic nuncio in the United States, receives reports from retiring bishops, examines what Brunett calls "the suitability of candidates" and prepares a "terna" -- a list of three candidates -- for the Congregation of Bishops in Rome. The nuncio will recommend successors to Brunett and Skylstad. The congregation, headed by Cardinal Re, discusses the appointment and takes a vote. It can affirm the nuncio's nod, pick another candidate for the list, or ask for another "terna." The final decision will be made by Pope Benedict XVI, and gets sent back down to the congregation, and then to the nuncio. The current Seattle archbishop was serving as a pastor in Michigan when a gruff voice came on the line asking, "Are you Brunett?" He responded with a flip line about his hair color. On the line, however, was the nuncio asking Brunett to accept appointment as Bishop of Helena. Clergy and laity in the Archdiocese of Seattle rebelled in the 1980's when the Vatican tried to reduce popular Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen to a figurehead by curtailing his powers. The Vatican had to back down. Long retired, the activist, pacifist Hunthausen remains a revered figure. Archbishop Brunett has found himself in a role akin to that of a mountain climber needing to keep his footing amidst multiple drop offs. Although buffeted by a press often openly hostile to the Catholic Church, Brunett has counseled, negotiated and settled priest-abuse cases without taking his diocese into bankruptcy. Brunett has served as a strong voice for social justice. He used the first anniversary of 9/11 to deliver a celebrated sermon on how the planned Iraq invasion fell outside Catholic definitions of a "just war." He has opposed the death penalty, signed a strong statement on restoring Columbia River salmon, championed Hispanic ministry and denounced a 2005 House-passed bill that would compelled social service providers to report illegal immigrants. He has, however, overseen creation of a new congregation -- North American Martyrs parish -- that has revived use of the Tridentine rite Latin liturgy with an 11:30 high mass each Sunday. The archdiocese is planning a $400,000 "Catholics Come Home" media campaign early next year. It plans to air TV spots addressed to Catholics who no longer practice the faith, and those interested in exploring the fait. The Spokane diocese has troubled for years, even seeing a scandal-tarred bishop resign and seek alcoholism treatment in 1990. The diocese went into bankruptcy five years ago, faced with 180 claims of sexual abuse. Skylstad struck a $48 million deal to settle claims, but faced calls for his resignation by prominent lay Catholics. Curiously, in the midst of controversy, he was chosen to chair the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Who, then, is likely to pick up the staff and put on the bishop's mitre and insignia ring? Speculation has revolved around three bishops: One is John Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City since 2007 and a former San Francisco auxiliary bishop. Wester has been a strong voice for immigration reform, telling a June rally, "We are gravely concerned about the collateral human consequences of immigration raids on the family unit." A second prospect is Gerald Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. A Chicago native, Kicanas has won respect for skilled and sensitive handling of the priest sex abuse scandal in his Arizona diocese. The third name is that of George Thomas, Bishop of Helena, from which prior Seattle archbishops have been tapped. Thomas was formerly chancellor of the Seattle Archdiocese, and later auxiliary bishop. "Thomas is headed for bigger things, but the Vatican is wary about sending people back to dioceses where they've served," said a prominent Seattle lay Catholic, who asked not to be named. What kind of bishops is Pope Benedict XVI naming? According to those queried for this column, they're highly intelligent -- an attribute not always found in the American hierarchy -- and orthodox. Given the "Seattle revolution" of the 1980's, and this "unchurched" region, the Vatican would not be wise in sending an ideologue and disciplinarian. The Northwest's Catholics may be a flock, but they don't behave like sheep. Joel Connelly can be reached at 206-448-8160 or joelconnelly@seattlepi.com
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