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FROM THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR
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 n
this, our last newsletter for 2001, we want to wish you and your lovesd
ones a joyous and healthy Christmas season. Despite all the suffering
and pain in the world, all of us have many reasons to be thankful. All
of us associated with ARCC are grateful to you, our members.
Many of you have been faithful supporters of ARCC since its inception twenty-one
years ago. Without you, we would not be able to continue this important
work of Church reform, keeping the light of Vatican II burning.
Please take a minute to read the
enclosed letter from Mary Lou Hartman, President of the Board of ARCC.
We have had a very busy year working with individuals and groups, in the
U.S. and in Europe. We need your help to continue this important work and
to continue to grow. If every member gives a gift, according to your means,
I know we will be successful. Please consider giving a gift of ARCC
Light to a friend. See inside for our special Christmas offer.
As John Greenleaf Whittier said,
"Somehow not only for Christmas/ But |
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all
the long year through/ The joy that you give to others/ Is
the joy that comes back to you."
John F. Sheehan
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(Continued
from page 3)
decision affecting the diocese
without consulting the priests and representatives of the people of the
diocese" (February 1994).
"In the past the Church made errors
and mistakes, not on essential teachings but in reformable statements of
the teaching Church. It is refreshing to recognize and admit this
and to acknowledge that we can grow in our understanding of the message
of revelation and in the expression and application of the teaching of
the Church, given to us by Jesus, to different times and different cultural
expressions" (February 1992).
Q. Does the Bishop support
the laity. . . ?
The Vatican was careful to ask
if "the Bishop supports the laity in their proclamation of the Gospel in
the secular order." And certainly Bishop Lucker did, as is evident
from his pastoral letters and statements. What Rome was careful not
to ask was if the Bishop also supports the laity in its role in the Church.
Lucker answered this in the affirmative all through his life. His
beliefs are most succinctly articulated in "The Laity in the Church," a
pastoral letter written in April 1998, which could be a clarion call of
ARCC.
"What does the Church teach about
the role of the laity? ...The Constitution on the Laity emphasizes that
the Church is the People of God. All members of the Church, ordained
and non- ordained, hear the same words of Jesus. ...The members of the
Church of Jesus Christ are called the Body of Christ. ...God created all
people, male and female, in his likeness. ...By our Baptism and Confirmation
all members of the Church share in the life and ministry of the Church.
...All members of the Church share in the teaching office of Christ. ...All
members of the Church are called and gifted by the Spirit for their ministry.
...All of the faithful have [a] right to be heard. ... The Christian faithful
have a right to receive the spiritual goods of the Church... ."
And that, dear friends,
is a Bishop after the heart of Papa John.
Christine M. Roussel
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ARCC
Light is published eight times per year by the
Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church. For membership
information, contact ARCC, John F. Sheehan, National Coordinator, PO Box
85, Southampton, MA 01073
Phone/fax 413 527-9929
E-mail: arccangel@charter.net
Suggested dues are $25.00 per year, and include a subscription to
ARCC Light and a copy of ARCC's Charter of Catholic Rights. ARCC
Web site: http://arcc-catholic-rights.org/
Editor, ARCC Light:
Christine M. Roussel, PhD
3416 93 Street -Apt C3, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Phone: 718-457-5448, Fax: 212-728-8111
Email: Croussel@willkie.com
Layout and Design:
Ingrid H. Shafer, PhD
Email:ihs@ionet.net |
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WRITE TO US!
Our readers are invited to join in our ongoing conversation about
rights in the church. We are anxious to learn of your experience
and your ideas concerning our cause, the pursuit of justice in the church.
Write us at one of the addresses shown in the box at left. We will
be happy to publish letters judged to be of general interest.
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Return
to page 1 |
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