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Emmaus Walk Plan for first book is a God-story, writes columnist Debra Tomaselli, page 12. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com August 24, 2018 Vol. LVIII, No. 45 75¢ Archbishop responds to A ‘failure of episcopal leadership’ controversy surrounding Roncalli counselor Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: I regret the pain that has been caused by the recent controversy surrounding the employment of Shelly Fitzgerald, a guidance counselor at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. We are called as the Body of Christ to pray for and love one another, even in times of disagreement and controversy. As has been reported in the media and discussed publicly by Ms. Fitzgerald, she is Archbishop Charles living in a civil marriage C. Thompson to another woman that is not valid in the eyes of the Church. She is on paid administrative leave. The issue concerning Ms. Fitzgerald’s Bishops kneel while praying for victims of clergy sexual abuse during Mass on June 14, 2017, at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis during employment is not about sexual orientation, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual spring assembly. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, but about the Church’s teaching that has announced a comprehensive plan to address the new abuse scandal that has hit the Church in the United States. (File photo by Sean Gallagher) marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman as established and revealed by God. There is nothing in Church teaching that Head of bishops’ conference shares plan says being gay or lesbian is a sin. God created each of us with equal dignity. The dignity of the human person, rooted in his or her to address ‘moral catastrophe’ of abuse creation in the image and likeness of God, is a fundamental principle of Catholic social WASHINGTON (CNS)—The In a lengthy letter addressed to all the prelate could have risen up the ranks teaching. The Church upholds the dignity of president of the U.S. Conference of Catholics, Cardinal DiNardo laid out three of the Church as an auxiliary bishop, every human person, including persons with Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on Aug. 16 goals just established by the bishops’ bishop, archbishop and finally cardinal. same-sex attraction, who “must be accepted announced three key goals and a executive committee in a series of meetings Cardinal DiNardo described the with respect, compassion, and sensitivity” comprehensive plan to address the “moral held early during the week of Aug. 13. second and third goals, respectively, (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2358). catastrophe” of the new abuse scandal The first is a “full investigation” as an opening of new and confidential At the same time, the Church upholds the hitting the Church in the United States. into “the questions surrounding” channels for reporting complaints against dignity and sanctity of marriage, a natural The plan “will involve the laity, lay Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, a bishops, and advocacy for more effective institution established by God. By its very experts, the clergy and the Vatican,” former cardinal and retired archbishop resolution of future complaints. nature, marriage is a permanent partnership Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of of Washington. He said the executive The three goals “will be pursued between one man and one woman ordered to Galveston-Houston said. This plan will committee will ask the Vatican to according to three criteria: proper the good of the couple and the procreation be presented to the full body of bishops conduct an apostolic visitation into these independence, sufficient authority and and education of children. It is the at their general assembly meeting in questions “in concert with” a group of substantial leadership by laity,” he said. foundation of the family, where children are Baltimore in November. laypeople identified for their expertise “Two weeks ago, I shared with you raised and nurtured, and learn values and He said the “substantial involvement by the USCCB’s lay-run National Review my sadness, anger, and shame over the virtues that help them to grow in maturity. of the laity” from law enforcement, Board who will be “empowered to act.” recent revelations concerning Archbishop The archdiocese’s Catholic schools psychology and other disciplines will be With a credible allegation that Theodore McCarrick,” the cardinal said. are ministries of the Church. School essential to this process. Archbishop McCarrick abused a minor “Those sentiments continue and are administrators, teachers and guidance He also said that right now, it is clear nearly 47 years ago and accusations deepened in view of the Pennsylvania counselors are ministers of the faith who that “one root cause” of this catastrophe of his sexual misconduct against Grand Jury report. See RESPONSE, page 9 “is the failure of episcopal leadership.” seminarians, many have been asking how See ABUSE, page 9 Pope Francis: Abuse victims’ ‘heart-wrenching pain’ is more powerful than attempts to silence them VATICAN CITY (CNS)—“No effort allegations against 301 priests in cases must be spared” to prevent future cases involving more than 1,000 children. of clerical sexual abuse, and “to prevent “The heart-wrenching pain of these the possibility of their being covered up,” victims, which cries out to heaven, was Pope Francis said in a letter addressed “to long ignored, kept quiet or silenced,” the people of God.” Pope Francis said. “But their outcry was “I acknowledge once more the more powerful than all the measures suffering endured by many minors meant to silence them. due to sexual abuse, “The pain of the victims and their See related the abuse of power families is also our pain,” he said, “and editorial, page 4. and the abuse of so it is urgent that we once more reaffirm conscience perpetrated our commitment to ensure the protection by a significant number of clerics and of minors and of vulnerable adults.” Pope Francis prays as he leads a Lenten consecrated persons,” the pope wrote in In his letter, Pope Francis insisted all penance service in early March in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. “No effort must be the letter dated and released on Aug. 20. Catholics must be involved in the effort spared” to prevent future cases of clerical The letter was published less than a to accompany victims, to strengthen sexual abuse and “to prevent the possibility of week after the release of a Pennsylvania safeguarding measures and to end a their being covered up,” Pope Francis said in an grand jury report on decades of clerical culture where abuse is covered up. Aug. 20 letter addressed “to the people of God.” sexual abuse and coverups in six While the letter called all Catholics to (CNS photo/Stefano Rellandini, Reuters) dioceses. The report spoke of credible See VICTIMS, page 8 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, August 24, 2018 Public Schedule of Archbishop Charles C. Thompson __________ August 25 - September 13, 2018 August 25 — 9 a.m. Sept. 6 — 10 a.m. Keynote address for Catholic Charities’ Leadership Team Meeting at Parish Social Ministry gathering Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Catholic Center, Indianapolis Beech Grove Sept. 6 — 3 p.m. August 25 — 5:30 p.m. Archdiocesan Finance Council at Confirmation of youths of St. Luke Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara the Evangelist Parish at St. Luke the Catholic Center, Indianapolis Evangelist Church, Indianapolis Sept. 8 — 10:30 a.m. August 26 — 2 p.m. Mass for Mount St. Francis Cursillo Mass for 150th Parish Anniversary at Community, at Mount St. Francis St. Rose of Lima Parish, Franklin Center for Spirituality, Rescue workers evacuate people from flooded areas on Aug. 16 after the opening of a dam following Mt. St. Francis heavy rains on the outskirts of Cochin, India. The Catholic Church has joined relief efforts as August 28 — 11 a.m. unprecedented floods and landslides continue to wreak havoc in India’s Kerala state, killing at least Deans’ Meeting at Archbishop Sept. 9-12 75 people within a week. (CNS photo/Sivaram V, Reuters) Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Indianapolis committee meetings in Washington August 28 — 5 p.m. Sept. 13 — 6 p.m. Church in India joins relief efforts Work of Angels Dinner to benefit Cathedral High School New Albany Deanery Youth Ministry 100th Anniversary Mass at as floods wreak havoc in Kerala at Huber’s Orchard, Winery and Cathedral High School in Vineyards, Starlight Indianapolis COCHIN, India (CNS)—The Catholic any time,” said one farmer. “Now we Church has joined relief efforts as don’t even feel safe in our homes as Sept. 4 — 7 p.m. (Schedule subject to change.) unprecedented floods and landslides continuing rains have weakened our old Indianapolis East Deanery presentation continue to wreak havoc in India’s Kerala houses. But where could I go?” at Holy Spirit Parish, Indianapolis state, killing about 370 people within a Father Thomas Punamadathil, who week. works with the social service wing of Sept. 5 — 7 p.m. Ucanews.com reported that all 41 Bathery Diocese in Wayanad district, said Confirmation for youths of Catholic dioceses in the state in the rescue and relief teams were unable to St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis, southern part of India have opened reach many places, especially those where at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, schools and other institutions to tribal people live. Indianapolis accommodate flood victims and are “Some relief camps are now isolated cooperating to send food, clothes and after roads were blocked by landslides,” other relief materials to affected areas. Father Punamadathil told ucanews.com on Vatican confirms pope will meet Nearly a million people were in Aug.