The Development of U.S. Roman Catholic Church Lay Leaders For a Future with Fewer Priests A dissertation submitted to the Division of Research and Advanced Studies of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in the Urban Educational Leadership program of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services 2013 by Gloria Jean Parker-Martin B.S., University of Cincinnati, 1974 M.B.A., Xavier University, 1979 Committee Chair: Mary Brydon-Miller, PhD ii Abstract The Catholic Church of the United States is facing a future with fewer priests. The diminishing number means many more parishes will be without a resident pastor, and some parishes will no longer have a priest available to them at all. The trend makes it more likely that new models of ministry will need to be launched to maintain Catholic faith communities throughout the country. It is likely more and more responsibility for the growth of such churches will rest with lay leaders. This study looks at the problem through the lens of Change Theory with the methodology of Action Research. This report examines the effects of the priest shortage trends on St. Anthony Parish in Madisonville, and the efforts to define the best ministerial and administrative structure for its lay people to position the parish within a Pastoral Region in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. For the U.S. Church to survive the laity must begin to take on roles that priests once held. There is a new vigor for the laity, particularly women, to assume stronger roles in the parishes. Lay people, church members who are not ordained, have always had some role in the Catholic Church. It was largely “pay, pray and obey,” until the late Twentieth Century. Today there are more opportunities and a new urgency for the people to move from the passive parishioner stage to the engaged lay volunteer. This study discusses the challenges in that transformation, and highlights the urgency to develop training programs for lay leaders. The laity will play an important part in the church in the future, but at this point, they are not even at the table to participate in the discussion. With the shortage of priests comes a new vigor of the laity to take on more leadership roles in the church. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “and, realizing that I cannot hope to achieve these objectives by my own strength, I rely upon the power of God, for I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me"1 I wish to thank the S.A.L.T. committee Patricia Fedders, Malachi Lawrence, Richard Taulbee, Sally VonLehman, and Rev. Leonard Wenke for bringing to life the wishes of a community of believers. Special thanks to Rev. Leonard Wenke for creating an environment where parishioners felt comfortable in expressing their opinion. I would like to thank St. Anthony Catholic Church. The parishioners took the time to participate in a process that could change their way of thinking about the Catholic Church. They shared their hopes and concerns about the future of the church. Thank you to my committee members, Mary Brydon-Miller, Rev. Jeffrey M. Kemper, Patricia O’Reilly, Vanessa Allen-Brown, and Cheryll Dunn. You have been with me during this long journey. I value your insight into my topic and how you have helped me formalize the vision of how things can be for those in the struggle and how we as Catholics can influence the future of the church. There are so many others I would like to thank, the editors, and there were many, members of the parish who encouraged me. I would like to acknowledge the prayer warriors that over the years have lifted me up when “things were not going well”. Lastly, I would like to thank my mentor Vincent F.A. Golphin. We spent hours on the phone discussing the approaches about the paper and what process to use to help people understand their power in an institution with so much power over them. We also discussed the need for a Ministry of Service Program; I hope that those who read this dissertation will also see the need. 1 Philippians 4:13 iv Dedication “Only you are holy only you are worthy only you are wonderful for there’s no one else like you who is faithful ever true all my love my heart my life is a testimony”2 I am the great great-granddaughter of Elizabeth, great granddaughter of Jenny, granddaughter of Carrie and the daughter of Ruth. Today I stand on the shoulders of some very strong women. And so, I dedicate this journey to them. I especially dedicate my journey to Ruth Parker Freeland my mother who passed on many years ago, yet she is constantly with me. She instilled in all of her children the importance of education. I dedicate this journey to Dale Freeland who in his quite way made it possible for my mother to present educational opportunities to her children. I am the oldest of seven. As the oldest, it was my responsibility to be the role model for those behind me. I dedicate my journey to my sisters and brothers. They are Barbara, Leonard, Sandra, Dale, Darrell and Darnella. Now it is your turn to encourage your children to take the journey. And to my son Damon and granddaughter Damonique, I want to thank you both. You were my inspiration to finish my journey. Now it is your turn. To my husband and love, George Martin thank you for being so patient with me during this journey. It has been a long and sometimes very challenging journey yet you supported and encouraged me at each stage. 2 Words from the song “Only you are Holy” by Donnie McClurkin 1 Table of Contents CONTENTS ........................................................................................... 1 Personal Narrative .......................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1 ............................................................................................... 8 Introduction ....................................................................................................8 Why Change Theory? ....................................................................................11 What are the approaches? ..............................................................................12 What Model do we use? .................................................................................13 Approach to Change Theory ..........................................................................14 Methodology ..................................................................................................16 Catholic Church of the United States .............................................................16 Canon Law .....................................................................................................17 Only a Priest ...................................................................................................18 Shortage of Priests .........................................................................................19 Laity ...............................................................................................................20 Archdiocese of Cincinnati ..............................................................................21 Futures Committee .........................................................................................22 Priests of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati ........................................................24 Significance of Study .....................................................................................27 Research Questions ........................................................................................27 Summary ........................................................................................................28 CHAPTER 2 .......................................................................................... 31 Literature Review...........................................................................................31 2 Stages of Change Theory ..........................................................................31 Principles of Change .................................................................................34 Leadership .................................................................................................37 Changes in the Congregation ....................................................................40 Resistance to Change ................................................................................43 Implementation of Change ........................................................................43 Action Research .............................................................................................45 Ethics.........................................................................................................48 Action Research Process ...........................................................................49 Purpose of Study ............................................................................................51 CHAPTER 3 .......................................................................................... 52 Methodology ..................................................................................................52 Research Questions ........................................................................................52 Parish..............................................................................................................53 St. Anthony Parish .........................................................................................55 “What If” Committee