Lay Empowerment
Francis gives laity greater role in synods
Christopher Lamb The Tablet
(September 18, 2018)
Pope Francis has announced new rules to bolster the contribution of lay people in the synod of bishops process so it can become a “privileged instrument of listening to the People of God.” (read more)
'Red Hat Report' to 'audit' cardinals, ahead of next conclave
Tom Roberts NCR Online
(October 1, 2018)
A group of Catholics calling itself the Better Church Governance Group is gearing up to compile dossiers "in the manner of political opposition research" on cardinal electors ahead of the next conclave, the gathering that elects a new pope. (read more)
Lay-led reform raises question: Can Catholic Church be bought?
Michael Sean Winters NCR Online
(October 8, 2018)
Two news stories last week gave ample justification for my repeated warnings this summer to be careful about viewing an increased role for the laity as some kind of panacea for what ails the church. (read more)
Cupich says bishops must cede authority, allow lay oversight of accusations
Joshua J. McElwee, Heidi Schlumpf NCR Online
(October 15, 2018)
Rome - Individual Catholic bishops across the United States must renounce some of the supreme authority they have over their dioceses to allow for the creation of a new national body to investigate misconduct allegations, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said. (read more)
Your thoughts on the Vatican abuse summit
NCR Staff NCR Online
(March 15, 2019)
NCR readers had a myriad of reactions to the Feb. 21-24 summit of bishops at the Vatican to discuss the clerical sex abuse crisis. You can find all of NCR's coverage here. A sampling of letters from NCR readers reacting to the summit (read more)
Your thoughts on leaving the church
NCR Staff NCR Online
(March 22, 2019)
NCR received hundreds of reader responses to Melinda Henneberger's "Why I left the church, and what I'm hearing about it" perspective and its counterpoint "Memo to Henneberger: The logical thing is to 'hang in there' " written by Fr. David Knight. Following is just a sampling of those letters. They have been edited for length and clarity. You can read part one of the responses here. Part two of the responses can be found here. (Part three of the responses)
How are grassroots Catholics responding to the sex abuse crisis?
Sean Reynolds|Dobie Moser America Magazine
(April 8, 2019)
Betrayal. Disgust. Outrage. Disbelief.
These are among the words we are hearing over and over as we facilitate “four courageous conversations” with parishioners, priests, diocesan leaders and parish staff on their reactions to the recent revelations in the Catholic clergy sex abuse crisis. (read more)
Lay community key to reforming Catholicism
Paul Collins La Croix
(December 28, 2019)
One of the most extraordinary recent examples of commitment is the loyalty shown by many post-Vatican II Catholics to the church.
Despite their steadfast support for the emphases of that Council, these lay Catholics, supported by many priests, are often seen as a 'nuisance' by senior church leaders whose real focus has been protecting their own positions and clericalist ideology.