Nine of us, married priests and wives gathered at Jake and Loretta Kutarna's as a follow up of our meeting March 4th reported in the March/April Journal.

We had a most enjoyable and productive afternoon. No suggestions came forward about a future gathering. Perhaps we accomplished what we set out to do.
It was suggested that we have two lists, one general theoretical stuff, and the other something practical and possible to do at the present time.

GENERAL IDEAS:

Free the people - many Catholics may still be in the old thinking mold (mould?) that "Father knows best" and when asked to think of what might be good for church renewal, still ask "What do you think, Father?" Would it not be wonderful if the priests could mandate the people to be free to think and suggest without fear what they really would like to see changed in the church?
See the Canticle of Zacharias in Luke's Gospel.

Update church view of sexuality - the last word on sexuality was not written by St. Augustine, although the official church position seems to think so. Rahner remarked that the concern about sexuality in the church over the years was woven by women-hating celibates with a masturbation complex.

Balance church representation - the catholic church is clearly dominated by males. There needs to be a better balance in all areas including women and marginalized people.
Read "Changing Face of the Priesthood" by Cousins.

Priest or minister - Jesus never called himself a priest, nor did he ever refer to his disciples as priests. Jesus gave the example of ministry, even washing the apostles' feet. "Priest" today suggests a clerical caste set above the people, not one of them. At Eucharist, he represents the community, not the hierarchy. The minister voices the sentiments of the people he serves. Vatican II says the church is the "People of God", not the Pope and hierarchy.

Positive approach - for the future renewal we must capitalize on what is positive that already exists. We are not here to destroy, we are here to build.

Young people - they seem to be staying away from the church. Maybe they don't feel they belong because it is run by the gray heads. They need to be given responsibility to develop programs suiting their needs. Let them do what they are interested in doing. They are looking for spirituality, but not the way the old church does it.

PRACTICAL IDEAS:

More use of laypeople - have confidence in people to look after their churches. There really is no need to import foreign priests. Such a policy is counterproductive. It suggests that it is OK to get anyone as long as he is ordained to "do the magic" of Eucharist and absolution. This is a lopsided view of priesthood which is not very inviting for our own young people to consider as a vocation.ø

Keep churches open - even if no resident priest is available. Experience shows that the local people can do a very good job of running the parish, some in fact doing better than when they had a resident priest. Many ministries can be performed by competent laypeople, such as marriages, baptisms, funerals, communion services.

Co-presiding - it would promote a very good image of equality in the church if it was the norm for lay-presided services to always have both a man and a woman presiding. They may be husband and wife, or not necessarily so.

Community image - the present arrangement of the priest standing at an altar up above the people sitting in the pews below strongly suggests that the people are mere spectators while the priest does the important business. Re-arranging the space so that the altar/communion table is on the same level as the people, and the people in a circle would better express the fact that before God everyone is equal. Already in some parishes the people are invited to stand around the altar at morning Mass.

Lighten the load - for our bishop and priests. There often are competent people who can help for example preparing answers to the bishop's correspondence (like a press secretary), reading and summarizing books, magazines, articles etc. Preparing speeches, preaching, representing the bishop or pastor at meetings etc. and reporting back.

Involve the youth - in this visioning process. For example, school religion classes can write essays on the topic of what they would like to see changed in the church etc.

Support the Arch newsletter - this can be a great means of communication for people in the diocese. We can contribute articles with views for the vision and solicit discussion.

Diocesan website or chatroom - it seems this may be another means of communication and exchange of ideas for promoting the future vision for the diocese.