The Richness of Consultation in the Church
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The Record
newspaper is featuring a 5-week teaching editorial series on consultation in the Church that began on March 1.
(To see the full series as it is published, go to
therecordnewspaper.org
.)
Here is Archbishop Kurtz’s introductory column:
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A special joy is the interaction and dialogue that I am privileged to enter into through different forms of consultation in the Church. This rich interaction allows for better decisions within the Archdiocese and provides a process for healthy listening and communication.
While the Church has always utilized consultative bodies, the Second Vatican Council promoted structures of consultation to fit the apostolic governance by which decisions are made. Cardinal Francis George, when writing about Church governance, said: “The Second Vatican Council prepared a new springtime for the Gospel during the third millennium by reaching into the Church’s apostolic treasury and making visible in new ways the original gifts Christ gave to his people. One of these gifts is apostolic governance and ministry. The Council recast the episcopate, so that it is more clearly the sacrament of visible communion and ecclesial unity.”
I discussed the theme of apostolic governance in my homily (see
archlou.org/spalding
) at the episcopal ordination of Bishop Mark Spalding. Apostolic governance refers to the authority given by Christ to the first apostles in service to Christ and His Church. In this homily, I centered this understanding of governance on the words of ordination, in which the Church calls on God to pour out the Spirit of governance, which is the spirit poured out on Jesus and shared with the twelve apostles. Jesus speaks of the way in which this authority is to be exercised … not as pagans who lord over those they govern but as the one who came not to be served but to be the servant of all. (Matt. 20:25)
To some, “consultation” has a weak connotation rather than the richness envisioned by the Church. Some of this difference in...
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Befriender Hospital Ministry
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By Margee Joseph
When my husband Eddie and I first retired, we imagined ourselves having time on our hands with nothing to do if we so chose. It didn’t take long, however, before we yearned to do something constructive and fulfilling. Thus began our search into numerous volunteer opportunities. Nothing spoke to us or sparked an interest until we learned about the Befriender Hospital Ministry training offered by the archdiocesan Family Ministries Office.
This ministry provides pastoral care to hospitalized Catholic patients and their families in Louisville. One day a week we visit such patients at a local hospital to offer spiritual assistance and to let patients and their families know that someone cares and is praying for them. The four principles of the Befriender Ministry are at the heart of our visits: 1) God is present. 2) As pastoral care ministers we care but do not seek to cure. 3) We practice attentive listening, and 4) we provide a non-judgmental presence.
We have found this ministry to be gratifying and filled with many blessings. We actually make cold calls as we enter patients’ rooms and meet strangers at a most vulnerable time of their lives. We never know how we’ll be received. Whether positive or negative, however, we always remember God is present, and everything is in His hands.
We visit all types of patients: some facing or recovering from surgeries; some dealing with illnesses; others undergoing medical tests; some receiving treatments or therapies and some in palliative care, nearing the end of their life’s journey. While we have been received kindly and gracefully, what has impressed us the most is these patients’ faith and outlook in the midst of life-changing circumstances.
I met a young man who told me that upon receiving the diagnosis of his illness, he realized that God was inviting and taking him to a deeper level of faith. I was stunned at hearing such beautiful acceptance and...
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In the third segment from March's episode of
Conversations with Archbishop Kurtz, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz and Chancellor Dr. Brian Reynolds discuss the relationship between faith and science.
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To view other segments from Conversations with Archbishop Kurtz
,
click here
.
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March 10
@ArchbishopKurtz:
Yesterday I spoke on Theology of Abundance in my home Diocese of Allentown & greeted long time great friends.
#
AllentownStewardship
March 10
@ArchbishopKurtz:
On Wednesday at Frankfort to put a face on recently welcomed immigrant persons, I joined with Catholic Charities of Louisville.
March 10
@ArchbishopKurtz:
How wonderful to lift up newly confirmed youth of St John Paul II & St Bartholomew Churches.
March 7
@ArchbishopKurtz:
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Thursdays 2/14-3/22/18 8:15 a.m.
Fridays 2/16-3/23/18 1:00 p.m.
3/16/18 7:00 p.m.
3/17/18 10:00 a.m.
3/21/18 8:30 a.m.
3/22/18 7:00 p.m.
3/24/18 10:00 a.m.
3/27/18 7:00 p.m.
3/29/18-4/1/18
4/7/18 9:00 a.m.
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Resources & Recommendations
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This month, we're highlighting some helpful and timely resources for Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. We encourage you to check out the resources below and get involved!
Chrism Mass: During Holy Week, consider attending the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, 7:00 p.m. This beautiful Mass is a great way to prepare for Easter. Check out the March 22 issue of
The Record at
www.therecordnewspaper.org, which will include an explanation of this Mass and
watch Archbishop Kurtz explain the Chrism Mass here on an episode of
Conversations with Archbishop Kurtz.
Violence: What does the Church teach about guns and violence? In light of recent school shootings and increased gun violence in our nation, resources on this topic have been added to the
Days of Human Dignity web resources here.
Legislative Initiatives
Conscience Protection Act: Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, chair of the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, urge the faithful to flood Congress with emails and calls asking for enactment of the Conscience Protection Act as part of the 2018 funding bill and to pray for this outcome. Congress is currently considering whether to include the Conscience Protection Act in must-pass government funding legislation, and a decision on the Conscience Protection Act's inclusion will be made prior to March 23, 2018. You can reach members of Congress by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or you
can email and call your Members of Congress quickly here.
Death Penalty: Call Kentucky legislators at 1.800.372.7181 to ask for support of Senate Bill 107, which outlaws the death penalty for those with serious mental illness. This has support in the Kentucky legislature, and your voice of support will be a big help in getting it passed.
Protecting Children with Down Syndrome:
HB 455 would prohibit abortions where the reason for the abortion is a dagnosis of Down Syndrome. HB 455 was heard in committee last week but did not receive a vote. But an important conversation on this issue has begun. Please encourage your legislators at 1.800.372.7181
to take action on this very important issue.
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