Church Future Subject of Planned Discussions

By Ann Rodgers-Melnick
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
October 27, 2002

In an effort to encourage local grass-roots discussion about the future of the Catholic Church in the wake of this year's sex abuse scandal, a liberal Catholic group is hosting a series of speakers and a discussion forum.

The Association of Pittsburgh Priests, an independent organization of priests, former priests and laity, will sponsor talks by the Rev. Michael Crosby and the Rev. Richard McBrien, both of whom are nationally known internal critics of church structure. On Nov. 20, the group will sponsor an evening of discussion for local Catholics who want to share their own ideas about the future of the church.

"There has been such a negative atmosphere in the Catholic Church because of the priest-pedophilia episodes and then the cover-up. The APP is trying to call us again to the positive vision that Jesus Christ calls us to. The November gathering especially is designed to let people get in touch with their own hope for the church in the future," said the Rev. John Oesterle, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine parish in East McKeesport and an organizer of "Reclaiming Who We Are: The Church."

Crosby spoke Wednesday at the St. Paul of the Cross Retreat House on the South Side Slopes, on "Beyond Abuse -- Reflections from the 'Dysfunctional Church.' "

At 7 p.m. Dec. 11, McBrien will speak in the auditorium of the Divine Providence Motherhouse in McCandless on "Crisis or Opportunity: How Should We Be Church?" McBrien, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame and a popular Catholic commentator, has long raised concerns about abuse of power by church bureaucrats. A contribution of $10 is asked for McBrien's presentation.

On Nov. 20 at the St. Paul of the Cross Retreat House, local Catholics will have an opportunity to share their vision of the church of the future. Three presenters, all experienced retreat leaders, will give a short introduction before participants break into small groups for discussion. If the evening is well received, the APP will consider holding similar sessions in other parts of the six-county diocese, Oesterle said.

"There has been such a negative press and it seems to me that the bishops have just circled the wagons. It's time to just let the real church listen to the spirit of God speak within us," Oesterle said.