No Such Choice
Topic: Power

Have you ever noticed how we all crave praise, but are prone not to want the responsibility that inherently comes with power?   So that we can so easily deny our power in order to avoid responsibility? 

 Think about it.  It's a very human trait, and none of us are exempt.   The greater the power, the greater the responsibility, whether the power is denied or accepted.

Disempowering Colluders--the FIRST step
Topic: Power

Janet Clark, author of Blind Faith, a novel about a young man who is dealing with sexual abuse by a priest and his family who is unusually supportive.  A lot of the story models that support for others and shows the value of having it. 

The Power of Freedom
Topic: Power

Even though I spent almost a decade in a country where there was no freedom of speech and only one newspaper was allowed to operate, it is so easy for me to forget about the power and privilege of freedom.

Then, something startling happens.  Like three days ago, when I received an e-mail from China.  I had just contacted a lady, asking if she was available to a survivor needing support.  The person in immediate need was located in a country relatively close to hers, geographically.

The lady in China replied cordially, but called attention to my attached e-mail that I had sent to her.  In it, words that referred to faith issues had been removed before she'd received it!  She had been able to read between the words that remained, but wanted me to know that e-mail communication might be difficult, considering the censorship of incoming mail and the lack of freedom that residents of China have to send anything about matters of faith, along with other "sensitive" material. 

A strong reminder that we are blessed if we have freedom.  Blessed with power and privilege alike.  How dare we squander either as we sit back comfortably, deciding not to take an unpopular stand when to remain silent is to sacrifice the integrity of our souls.

Outside or Inside
Topic: Making Changes

Frequently I hear from people who believe there is one way or another to make change in the way the churches deal with sexual abuse by clergy.   Some argue that it must come from people who are working inside the church.  Others are convinced it will happen only because of activists putting pressure ON the church from outside. 

I do not believe it is an either-or question. 

 

The Difference in a Comma
Topic: coping

Last Sunday, I picked up the church bulletin and brought it home with me.  Because I noted something I thought I really needed to share with you.  The way I noted it, that is--not the way it was actually written.

I still like the way I first saw it.  It fits just as much as the original intention of the writer of the Mohawk prayer.  (Yes, where I worship one is not surprised to see prayers that come from "the heathern," as people of my roots might refer to non-converted Native Americans) 

The original sentence, located in the prayer, read:  "Help us, be kind to us."

My eyes didn't note the comma, so I read it:  "Help us be kind to us." 

The first version, of course, indicated the Great Spirit being kind to us on earth.  My understanding, before I took a second look this morning, was that we needed help to be kind to one another, but also to ourselves.  Whichever works for you today, I hope you find kindness.

All in How You See It
Topic: coping

I've often been impressed with the mood differences of those who have left the Catholic Church or other faith groups.  Those who express the sense of being forced out reflect much more of an angry and defeated victim attitude.  Those who talk about choosing to leave either in protest or because they no longer agreed with the theology seem to have an air of self-confidence.  Generally, there is a mixture of those two moods.  Yet the more one is able to interpret the leaving as a decision based on conviction, the less likely the life of the individual seems to be negatively impacted.

One's faith should always be a matter of choice.  Healthy faith always is.

Bridging the Gap
Topic: coping
As I open my soul and find the courage to share what I find there--my struggles, as well as my joys--I find hope.   As I receive the messages from others who are in that same process, I find even more hope.  Hope for change.  And a reminder that we are all in the process of evolving into what we are intended to become.  If we just keep our souls open, despite the mutual brokenness that we have all experienced.

Expectations and Stakes
Topic: Power

At this crucial time, with the pope's visit, I am reminded of just how much the word "pope," in the Catholic world and even beyond, is equated with "Power."  Rather than comment on the recent events myself, I prefer to again give you the words that have come as a press release from SNAP.  My plan is to resume personally writing this blog again tomorrow.

Dee

 

Shame Is a Good Start
Topic: Power

 

Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in the U.S. for his first visit as Pope. And there is some good news here. Ironically, "good news" and the Church don't often appear in the same sentence these days. So I am always on the lookout for this occurrence.

As he comes to the U.S., the first comments the Pope made to the media had to do with the crisis of sexual abuse of children by priests: "We are deeply ashamed and we will do what is possible that this cannot happen in the future." Shame is the appropriate emotion in response to the shameful actions of individual pedophile priests and subsequent collusion and cover-ups by the institutional church. Shame can be productive in the context of the recognition of moral failure and responsibility; shame can lead to repentance and change. But only if the repentance is authentic and there is a will to actually change the institutional practices which allowed this harmful misconduct to continue for years.

What would be the signs of this will to change? When we see dioceses move away from defending themselves against the legitimate petitions for justice from their people who have been harmed. And, where appropriate, when we see discipline of Bishops who have protected pedophiles and punished victims.

There was one other moment of good news in the Pope's comments that should not be overlooked. Rather than be pulled into the confusion of homosexuality with pedophilia, Pope Benedict said: "I would not speak at this moment about homosexuality, but pedophilia, which is another thing. And we would absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry." This is a huge step forward and counters the earlier Vatican response to the problem of pedophilia which was to eliminate gay priests from the priesthood. Let us pray that the Pope's awareness of the important distinction between homosexuality and pedophilia will inform the future actions of the Vatican and the whole Roman Catholic Church.

Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune
Founder and Senior Analyst
FaithTrust Institute

The Problem with the Truth
Topic: Stained Glass

Have you ever noticed?  In families with addictions, just as in churches with perpetrators.  Or maybe we should reverse it and say churches with addictions and families with perpetrators--works the same no matter how you slice it.....

People in denial would prefer to believe the addicts or perpetrators instead of those who want to see change in the institution. 

Those who really shatter the stained glass are the "trusted" ones.  Yet others, by believing the cover stories told for self-protection, manage to not see the shattered glass.  Or to ignore it by not taking a stand.

It's often lonely to be within the system, looking courageously at the broken glass.  Sometimes all you can do is weep.  Before finding ways to create new glass formations that may or may not involve the people in denial.   Whether from a position inside or outside of the broken system in denial.

That's what Parker Palmer would call standing "in the tragic gap."  Which is really the only place that offers hope.  Either for the hopeful.  Or the system.