ARCC SPOT LIGHTs

Introduction

ARCC Spot LIGHTs are brief commentaries on current issues by members of the Board of the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) periodically sent out by e-mail to the ARCC membership and added to this weblog 2 to 4  weeks after they were sent to ARCC members and ARCC Spots subscribers.  If you enjoy these commentaries and want to receive them as soon as they are published, please join ARCC at http://www.arcc-catholic-rights.net/

Founded in 1980 by lay and clerical Catholics, the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) seeks to work toward bringing about substantive structural changes in the Catholic Church by institutionalizing a collegial understanding of Church in which decision-making is shared and accountability is realized among Catholics of every kind and condition. It affirms that there are fundamental rights which are rooted in the humanity and baptism of all Catholics. To this end ARCC developed and works to implement a Charter of the Rights of Catholics in the Church and a  Proposed Catholic Constitution.

ARCC spot LIGHT - Follow Their Example?

ARCC spot LIGHT (analysis of current Church issues by the ARCC Publications Committee, R. Schutzius, ed.)

Follow Their Example?
Aug 2, 2008

"The Church will begin to solve its problems and resolve its tensions, when, and only when, clericalism and its adherents reverse priorities and place truth and justice ahead of institutional image." (Msgr.Harry S.Byrne, former Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York)

Monsignor Byrne in his article refers to Canon Law 1395 which states that any cleric who causes scandal by sin against the sixth commandment is to be punished by suspension, and Canon 1389 which requires anyone in ecclesiastical office who, through culpable negligence, omits the exercise of ecclesiastical power of office is to be punished.  While we are lead to believe that a very small percent of priests fall under Canon 1395, it is obvious that a very large percent of bishops should be punished (according to Canon 1389) for covering up clerical pedophilia.  Instead, there has been an attempt to blame all Catholics such as when Pope John Paul II called for a "purification of the entire Catholic community."  Not one guilty bishop has been called to accountability or punished.  What are Catholics to think when those who make the Church laws feel free to disregard them?  While Monsignor Bryne rightly calls for a change of clerical priorities, might the rest of us exercise the same freedom and follow the Episcopal example to ignore Church law when needed - like women's ordination, support for the Church, mandatory clerical celibacy, etc., etc.?   

While we suffer the shame, we have a right to not be held guilty of the crimes of our imposed leaders.  Do we not have the right to redress under the laws they themselves make and are to enforce? Even with Archbishop Burke heading the Vatican Court?  (Ask St. Stanislaus parish!).

ARCC reaffirms Monsignor Byrne's statement:   "The Church will begin to solve its problems and resolve its tensions, when, and only when, clericalism and its adherents reverse priorities and place truth and justice ahead of institutional image."
Monsignor Harry Byrne     (see full article at http://www.harryjbyrne.blogspot.com/  )

Your support of The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) is encouraging and helpful.  Read more at ARCC Circulate freely, but kindly acknowledge the source.

Comments to  rschutz1@prodigy.net  or call 1-877-700-2722 (ARCC).