Statement of the Collaborative's Pastoral Associates

Dear Parishioners,

The last week has again laid bare the evil and sin that are a very real part of our church. You have heard from our clergy this past weekend and from Cardinal Sean. For myself, it has taken me a while to grasp the systematic and emotional gravity of the Pennsylvania report on sexual abuse and the cover-up. I have lived my entire adult faith in a post 2002 church when the Boston Globe uncovered the scope of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston, as well as the inadequate response by those with the power to protect the most vulnerable among us. It only made sense to me that if this could and did happen in Boston, it most likely has happened in many dioceses throughout the country and world.

Yet, the raw emotion that has been newly unleashed by this report finally struck me after reading an account of my friend’s trip to Mass on Sunday. During the homily, she related that the pastor of her parish affirmed a statement that originated in Catholic academic circles calling on the U.S. bishops to submit their letters of resignation to Pope Francis (similar to what happened in Chile as a sign of contrition for their failures). He concluded by calling for radical lay-led structural reform and sat down. Then a man stood up in the congregation. With, as my friend noted, a look of desperation on his face, he simply said the word: “How?”

This word and the man’s desperation have been haunting me ever since. For me, the scandal of the past week is not the revelation of more cases of abuse (although my prayer has been particularly focused on these survivors who have had the courage to name the horror done to them), rather, I am most taken aback and indeed aghast by the helplessness seen and felt in so many that still faithfully call themselves Catholic. I must confess, I too have these same feelings.

Speaking with Fr. Dan, we - the pastoral associates - have been discussing and sharing our own feelings, and wanted to communicate with you that we share your anger and frustration. We have agreed that here, in our collaborative, there are two ways to move forward to begin realizing the “how” of reform mentioned above. The first is continuing to insist on the need for greater accountability of bishops and others in church leadership. Fr. Dan was particularly articulate on this subject during his homily on Sunday. The culture within which church leaders operate must be changed, and as members of the Catholic Church in Boston we must be a voice for that change.

The other side of this coin is perhaps more challenging for each of us. For centuries, leadership in the church has been exercised by clergy, and more recently by professionally educated lay ministers. The laity for much of this time was often thought of as little more than passive and prayerful participants in the life of parish communities (although here in Newton, there is a history of many parishioners taking on a more committed and active role). Yet the Second Vatican Council in the 1960’s affirmed that the Sacrament of Baptism anoints and bestows on each of us Jesus' command to actively live out our faith. The Catholic Church is a community of people engaged in their faith and in living that faith in the world, while supported by those called to offer guidance and support for that service. The only way to realize a deeper reality of engagement in the church at the parish level is for each of us to take on that call and responsibility, and for those who currently exercise power to welcome the flourishing of our collective Baptismal call. We are blessed in this collaborative with excellent priests, excellent professional lay staff, and a very involved community. All of us are responsible for realizing a Catholic Church in Newton that is safer, more accountable, and more holy. How do we do this?

The first is to grow in relationship with Christ and in knowledge of faith. By doing this, we take ownership of our faith. We become part of the conversation about what it means to be Catholic, to be disciples of Christ, and to be a part of the Catholic Church today. We help to shape what that looks like in Newton and beyond. Second, get involved. This collaborative has a number of opportunities for engagement, leadership, and service. The more parishioners engage in the life of our community, the healthier this piece of the Body of Christ will be.

The staff is ready to listen to your concerns, frustrations, anger, and sorrow, and will walk with you as you discern how God might be calling you to respond. You can find all our contact information on the staff page of the website:  sholnewton.org/staff. We will also be offering different opportunities to hear from you in the coming weeks and months about the sexual abuse crisis, the response of this community, and the vision of where we go from here. You remain in our prayers, and you have our profound thanks for the joy and hope that this collaborative brings to each of us.

With great love and affection,

Brian Romer Niemiec
with
Rosemary Seibold
Kristina Preman
Kate Neal
Pastoral Associates
Sacred Heart and Our Lady’s Collaborative