Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Are you feeling "shackled" as a member of the laity?

A dissenting self-proclaimed "Catholic" organization asks:
Do you feel, as a lay member of the Church, "marginalized"?
Well, fear not! You're in luck! You can learn to break out of those "shackles"!

Catholic Action Network for Social Justice, in conjunction with The Sts. Clare and Francis Ecumenical Catholic Community, is conducting a conference which they claim:
will put the adage “we are church” into action, celebrating our shared baptism, building skills and heightening our awareness.
They tell us:
WHAT SHACKLES?

PAST CONFERENCES have highlighted ‘marginalized’ groups within society and church. The laity could be considered a broad group of ‘marginalized’ people in the Catholic Church, with little real decision-making power.

IN ST. LOUIS, lay parishioners of several parishes are challenging the hierarchal authority, Catholics are persevering in social justice work, and a new (non-Roman) Catholic Community has formed. (my emphasis)

THIS CONFERENCE will put the adage “we are church” into action. TOGETHER, we will celebrate our shared baptism, build our skills and heighten our awareness.
Some people in the St. Louis Archdiocese (and elsewhere) are, indeed, challenging the hierarchal authority, but these professed "Catholics" fall into two categories, it seems - those who willfully choose disobedience because of pride or those who, because of ignorance, do not know any better.

The Keynote Speaker for this conference is none other than Denise Donato, a "priest" in the Spiritus Christi community, a schismatic sect which claims to be Catholic. It is scandalous and shameful that this is being presented under the pretense of being "Catholic".

The panel discussions and workshops at this event are:
Inclusive Catholic Families
Gandhi & the Catholic Church
Gay & Lesbian Issues
Decision-Making Models
Rights of the Catholic Laity
Sexism & Women’s Ordination
The cost is $15 (pre-registered) or $20 at the door on Saturday, April 16...At 5:00pm there will be a "Liturgy" with the Ecumenical Catholic Community & Denise Donato. That should make for some interesting pictures...There is also supposed to be a "local speaker" after lunch.

Anyone feel like going? I hate parting with the $15 or $20 bucks and one whole Saturday.

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