FALL-WINTER 2014 Focus VOL. XVI | NO. 5 on FutureChurch In Rome and at home, FutureChurch tracks the Synod on the Family In early October, FutureChurch’s Deb Rose-Milavec headed to Rome dialogue on the synod issues. She also shared some of her bringing with her the Voices of the People report, an effort led by 17 observations about the differences between the mid-term and final Catholic reform groups representing over 16,500 people synod documents. (mycatholicfamily.org) who completed the initial survey sent out From Memphis she flew to Baltimore to the United States Conference by Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri in preparation for the Extraordinary of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) bi-annual meeting to urge bishops to Synod on the Family. In Rome, with the help of Kate McElwee implement processes for dialogue in every diocese in preparation of Women’s Ordination Conference, the report was shared with for the synod. She spoke with some bishops who admitted no plans Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the United States Conference were being discussed at the confernece to get input from ordinary of Catholic Bishops, as well as Alice and Jeff Heinzen, the only U.S. Catholics. Later that week, the USCCB conference elected the couple to serve as auditors at the synod. All three promised to read bishops that would serve at the synod. President Archbishop Joseph the report and consider it as they continued their work at the synod. Kurtz and Vice-President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston- FutureChurch also participated in a pre-synod Houston were elected along with Archbishop press conference with International Movement of Charles Chaput of Philadelphia and Archbishop We Are Church, Women’s Ordination Worldwide Jose Gomez of Los Angeles. Archbishop and other international reform organizations. Salvatore Cordileone and Archbishop Blase There Rose-Milavec shared a summary of what Cupich were selected as alternates. Catholics said about their experience and beliefs According to Fr. Thomas Reese, senior analyst on Church teachings on contraception from the for the National Catholic Reporter, Cardinal Sean Voices of the People report. O’Malley was on the ballot but was not elected. She also attended the Vatican Press office’s daily Reese contends that the election results indicate press briefings and reported on the workings at the Deb with report Voices of the People the U.S. bishops are reluctant to support Pope synod by e-mail and through the blog synodwatch.wordpress.org. Francis’s direction at the synod. After the synod ended and the final document (Relatio Synodi) The Synod of Bishops issued the new Lineamenta along with a released in English, Rose-Milavec examined both the mid-term and the new questionaire on December 15, 2015 asking bishops to obtain final document, side by side, to see just how much had been lost grassroots input on the synod issues. FutureChurch will help lead or gained in the small group vetting process during the last week a collaborative effort to ensure that the voices of all Catholics and of the synod. In a surprising find, Rose-Milavec found that, while their families are heard as we move toward the 2015 Ordinary Synod key paragraphs had been stripped of their pastoral language and of Bishops on the Family. In a recent press release Rose-Milavec replaced or toned down, in many other places, the original language noted, “Over the next year, all Catholics, including those who are and much of the tone had been retained in the final document. divorced and remarried, in same sex relationships, and who believe Some of her observations can be found in this newsletter or on the the Church’s teaching on contraception is out of step with the needs synodwatch blog. of Catholic families should have a voice. They should have the FutureChurch has already been developing strategies to promote opportunity to engage our bishops in frank, honest and respectful awareness of the synod and lobbying U.S. bishops to put discussions about the realities of family life, marriage and human mechanisms in place for listening to Catholics and their families. sexuality. In every diocese, we need surveys, listening sessions and This was also taken up in November at the bi-annual meeting of other creative ways to ensure the voices of all Catholics and their Catholic Organizations for Renewal. Several committees formed to families are heard by their bishops and by those who will attend and reach out to grass roots Catholics on the issues to be discussed at make decisions about the Church’s pastoral practices at the 2015 the 2015 Synod and to lobby the bishops to make sure mechanisms Synod on the Family.” for dialogue and input are implemented in every diocese. The This synod has the potential to heal wounds in a church that has group sent out a formal “Call for a Year of Dialogue” to our bishops been bleeding for decades. FutureChurch is committed to supporting in preparation for the 2015 synod and issued a press release Catholics as they make their faith and experience known to those who (mycatholicfamily.org). will shape pastoral practice in our Church for decades to come. At the Call to Action conference, Rose-Milavec led a caucus to talk View Deb’s blog regarding the synod at about strategies for effectively lobbying our bishops to implement synodwatch.wordpress.org FALL-WINTER 2014 | ONE From the Director’s Desk Focus As my family gathered along with millions of other families on FutureChurch across the country this Thanksgiving, I was gently (and humorously) reminded of the importance of the model EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Deborah Rose-Milavec of dialogue Pope Francis set in motion at the 2014 EDITORIAL CONSULTANT: Sr. Diana Culbertson, OP Extraordinary Synod on the Family. Catholic commentators BOARD OF TRUSTEES of every stripe have heralded the new age of dialogue CHAIR: Marie Graf being stewarded by Francis. I agree. It is a magnificent VICE-CHAIR: Rita L. Houlihan start even though a large swath of key Catholic voices are TREASURER: Jim Connell not yet being heard or engaged. Yet for me, the unfolding SECRETARY: Barbara Guerin of this new Catholic space is personal. I know I can get better at dialogue. I FINANCE CHAIR: Jim Connell, PROGRAM CHAIR: Sr. Diana Culbertson, OP want to get better at dialogue. So, what better place to practice than with my MEDIA CHAIR: Mary Lou Hartman family (the sounds of nervous laughter begin)? STRATEGIC ISSUES CHAIR: Rita L. Houlihan To start, I grew up in a world where my father, a very loving parent, persuasively AT LARGE counseled me to avoid talking politics or religion “if you want to get along with Lisa Barczyk • Fr. Gerry Bechard people.” Hmmm…that created a conundrum for the budding feminist and Jocelyn Collen • Sr. Diana Culbertson, OP E. Thomas Dowd • Mary Lou Hartman justice-seeker who had little use for exchanging polite small talk. I knew I would John Hushon • Natalia Imperatori-Lee have to find a way into meaningful conversations with friends and family even Eugene Kramer • Gina Messina-Dysert though my father’s words sometimes made my heart race with fear. EX OFFICIO Because I want my children and grandchildren to care about justice and to work Deborah Rose-Milavec for it, I engage them in dialogue about important events around the kitchen EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITA table. My family, like many families, is composed of people from all spectrums Sr. Christine Schenk, CSJ of the political landscape. In the past, when we vigorously disagreed, I felt OPTIONAL CELIBACY distressed if someone grew angry or defensive, a remnant of my past training. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE But this year, the Francis model of dialogue opened me up and helped create a Fr. Gerry Bechard, Detroit, MI • Ron Dubois, more centered place of peace when differences were voiced. Braintree, MA • Rosanne Santos, Hanover, NH Sr. Christine Schenk, CSJ, Cleveland, OH Our Thanksgiving celebration was filled with wonderful comfort food, the sounds Fr. Jim Sheil, Avon, OH of children of all ages, the talk of young and older adults and the comments WOMEN IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP of the graying ones. In the course of our many discussions, I posed a difficult NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE question about a devastating trend in the U.S. I asked, “How do you feel about Marianne Bernard, Clarkston, MI • Tom Blanks, what has happened in Ferguson?” And, thinking of Francis, I took pains to Hercules, CA • Jocelyn Collen, Fairfield, CT Patricia Gomez,Tewksbury, MA encourage the shy and those normally uncomfortable with confrontation to speak Rita L. Houlihan, New York, NY • Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, up. As in the past, the conversation started haltingly, built into a crescendo Mumbai, India • Elizabeth McGahan, of voiced differences and finished with some leaving the room in frustration. St. John’s New Brunswick, Canada Aaahhh…this is the family I love. Robin Senior, Syossett, NY As I always do, I gave everyone a post-celebration call, told them how much I Focus on FutureChurch is a semiannual publication of FutureChurch, a national organization of parish loved them and how grateful I was to have them in my life. I know we have a lot centered Catholics working for full participation of all of injustices to overcome if we are to build the kin-dom of God, but this year, I Catholics in the life of the Church. The newsletter also quietly rejoiced for the opening in my own heart and the new confidence I features information and commentary related to the feel engaging my family and my Church in this messy model of dialogue. It is mission of FutureChurch and reports on Church gift for which I am truly thankful.