The long nightmare of the Archdiocesan bankruptcy is over, but the work of healing, reconciliation and restitution following the scandal that led up to the bankruptcy has only just begun. Read Archbishop Hebda's statement on it here.
Where do we go from here?
Come join in conversation with Tim O'Malley, a member of Archbishop Hebda's team, on Thursday, August 2, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. It will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where CCCR-Council of the Baptized has met since 2012. The church is at 700 S. Snelling in St. Paul at the Highland Parkway intersection.
Tim is the Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment. He and his staff set up the procedures and structures to prevent sexual abuse of minors in parishes and schools. He will tell us about their meetings with survivors and what hope there can be for reconciliation.
Do come. We hope to have a full house, asking questions, learning about Archdiocesan compliance with Ramsey County Court orders, and giving Tim our ideas about what should come next. It is an opportunity to be heard.
Some questions we are asking: What plans are in place for the protection of children and young people? How are parishes stepping up to handle the shortfall in settlement funds? What Archdiocesan-wide healing is necessary? Bring your questions with you.
One long-term healing proposal: As we have said in previous Updates, we are asking the Archbishop to establish a regular channel of two-way communication between himself and the people in the pews. The proposal is for a Lay Advisory Council composed of parishioner delegates from Lay Deanery Councils. There are 15 parish deaneries with about 12 parishes in each deanery. The plan is for each parish council to send one delegate to the deanery council, and each deanery council to send one delegate to the Archbishop's Lay Advisory Council. With regular meetings of the 15 member Council, we ought to be able to voice our concerns as they arise.
To get a copy of the proposed plan, click on info@cccr-cob.org hit "send", and the Proposal will be sent to you. Take a copy to your pastor, and ask him to take it to his dean. Catch him when he has a spare summer moment!
