Catholic laity seek voice in choice of bishop

September 17, 2012, 12:29 pm
Posted by Paul Moses

Voice of the Faithful is trying to make sure parishioners have a meaningful say in the choice of the next archbishop of Chicago. To that end, VOTF has set up a Web site to solicit comments on who should succeed Cardinal Francis George (who turned 75 on Jan. 16). It says this effort is based on canon law 212, which states, “The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.”

The Archdiocese of Chicago is not exactly bubbling over with enthusiasm for this project and has barred parishes from referring to it in their bulletins. According to the Chicago Tribune:

Although the cardinal supports the group’s goal of energizing people in the pews, the creation of a clearinghouse for communication taints the process, the church said.

“Voice of the Faithful is an independent group that has no standing in the Catholic Church,” said Colleen Dolan, a spokeswoman for the cardinal. “The idea of encouraging people to send thoughts and ideas to the nuncio (papal representative) is in canon law and is a very good idea. … There’s no reason why it has to go through a separate group to be filtered.”

Canon law 377 permits the papal nuncio, “if he judges it expedient,” to “seek individually and in secret the opinion of others from both the secular and non-secular clergy and from laity outstanding in wisdom.” VOTF argues for an expansive consultation, pointing to the practice of electing bishops in the early church and to the role assigned to the laity at the Second Vatican Council.

http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=20741