Catholic Lay Leader Calls for Change, by Carol Hopkins, Western Star, May 15, 2011

Catholic Lay Leader Calls for Change

By Carol Hopkins
Western Star
May 15, 2011

http://www.thewesternstar.com/Living/Faith/2011-05-15/article-2505499/Catholic-lay-leader-calls-for-change/1

Raymond Lahey

STEPHENVILLE Madelyn St. Croix is fed up and wants to see big changes in the Catholic church.

St. Croix, an active member of St. Stephen's Church feels the laity need to take a stand on how the church responds to abuse scandals such as the most recent case involving the former bishop, Raymond Lahey. The charges, subsequent trial and guilty plea of the former cleric has deeply affected St. Croix.

"I think the laity needs to — as a group — to first communicate how unified we are in our agreement that there has to be a dramatic change in the way we are responding to this crisis. Both in terms of how we are responding to the actual abused people and how we are responding to what is happening to our spirituality. We have a crisis in our spiritual health occurring in our very midst." St. Croix said

St. Croix would like to see something of a practical nature put in place to deal with the fallout from the scandal. She feels the clergy are using too many inspirational words and encouraging passive prayer when action is needed. She feels there is a need to do something to encourage open communication.

"I just hope some energy could get going on this. I would like to see more people banding together and forming a committee to talk about these issues. I want more open communication — look I'd be satisfied if he (the priest) took every homily from now to the end of the liturgical year and instead of preaching just talk — get up there and have a conversation with us for the love of the lord." St. Croix said "Do something practical because there are so many people going around so angry that they cannot even talk — that needs to be aired out."

Bishop Peter Hundt says there is now a screening process that is part of responsible ministry. Priests, as well as everybody else, are getting police checks. The diocese is implementing programs in all parishes to ensure the safety of vulnerable people. The programs began last year. Protocol for dealing with allegations of abuse is posted on the website for the diocese. These are some of the steps that have been taken in response to the abuse scandals.

The bishop recognizes the many challenges facing St. Stephen's Parish and said its pastor, Rev. Maurice O'Quinn would be open to discussing the issues with individuals.

As far as speaking to a large number of people, such as a congregation, the bishop identified the difficulty in doing that. There is a lot of emotions involved in something like this, some people are really looking for assistance, he said, while others are past it or have not reached that stage yet and don't want to hear about it. It all hits people so differently at different points, he said, one person may be healed at a certain point but at that same point it may actually cause more pain for another.

"It's so unique how each individual deals with the hurt and pain — I think that's part of that pastoral challenge in terms of trying to be there for the people" he said