Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1989)
PAGE 2 — The Georgia Bulletin, February 2, 1989 Women's Pastoral Will Change Radically In New Draft BY CINDY WOODEN WASHINGTON (NC) — The U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter on women will be “changed radically” in its second draft in response to feedback from tens of thousands of Catholics who participated in consultations last fall, said Sister Mariella Frye, staff consultant to the bishops’ drafting committee. Her comments came in an interview Jan. 30 following a Jan. 24-26 meeting where more than 60 women and one man from 33 dioceses discussed women’s concerns and the local church. They also shared stories of their experiences in the church and heard about the changes to come in the second draft of the pastoral. Using “I Call You Friends” as a working title for the se cond draft, the drafting committee will develop the theme ,cf friendship as the basic model for human relationships in ■the church and in society, said Sister Frye, a member of the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart. In reports from consultations held throughout the coun try, she said, people told members of the drafting commit tee that the first draft’s discussion of relationships left out friendship, “a basic relationship in human living.” The first draft, released last April, was called “Partners in the Mystery of Redemption.” The feedback also showed a feeling that use of the word “partners” was a “misnomer." Sister Frye said. In the cur rent workings of church and society, "women really are not partners ... not that we don’t want to work toward that After meeting in early January and developing an outline for the second draft, the committee members believe the proposed letter will not be completed until 1990 at the earliest, Sister Frye said. With the theme of friendship, the second draft will issue “a new call to solidarity” among women and men, said Sister Sara Butler, a consultant to the drafting committee and a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Blessed Trinity. Sister Butler discussed the changes during the Jan. 24-26 meeting in Elkins Park, Pa., sponsored by the bishops Committee on Women in Society and in the Church Representatives of diocesan councils, commissions and task forces on women were invited to the East Coast meeting. Representatives from Western dioceses were to meet Feb. 8-10 in San Juan Bautista, Calif. The planned second draft also will have a new format. Sister Butler said. The first draft discussed issues in three segments using “the voices of women,” the teaching of the church and the bishops’ response. The three will be merged in the second draft. Also in response to the feedback. Sister Butler said, the foundation of the document will be a systematic explana tion of Christian anthropology in an attempt “to define per- sonhood” and “explain the equivalence of men and women while affirming their differences. " Even while completion of the pastoral is more than a year away, the bishops are looking for concrete ways to place “the pastoral needs of women right up front on the church’s agenda,” said Auxiliary Bishop Dominic A. Marconi of Newark, N.J. “I'm well aware of the disappointments and frustrations you’ve experienced.” the bishop said. And even though “we need to acknowledge that there will be disappointments in the future.” he asked the women to “keep perspective.” Remember, he said, that the church was established and is inspired by God “in spite of its human imperfections.” Dolores Leckey, director of the bishops' Secretariat for Laity and Family Life, concluded the Elkins Park meeting with a reflection on how “God is revealed” in the stories shared by participants. “The stories you’ve told are bound to a higher purpose.” she said. “You are concerned about the future. .. You are concerned about the church ” The meeting evoked an "intensity of feeling, even pas sion, you don’t find often in church gatherings.” she said "Only people who love very much would feel so deeply ” Women Acolyte Question Raised Bishop Marconi asked participants at the Elkins Park meeting to “share your own stories.” The process of sharing experiences, even though it is at times painful, “augurs well for the church,” the bishop said. By staying in volved and continuing to discuss the realities of be ing women in the church, the healing can continue, he said. FARMER’S DAUGHTER BUFFET & GRILL by PaPa’s NOW OPEN Serving The Roswell Area - Country Vegetables and Meat - All You Can Eat - One Low Price - A Bountiful Buffet At A Bargain Price LUNCH-Monday thru Saturday $4.69 DINNER-Monday thru Saturday - All Day Sunday (includes items from our carving station).... $5.79 FRIDAY & SATURDAY- Catfish Nights featuring pond raised Catfish Kids eat at the buffet for 44 cents for each year of age up to age 12. Kids under three eat at the buffet for FREE. Light Meal Available at Lunch and Dinner with Vegetable Plate Soup & Salad Includes Drinks and Dessert $3.99 Sizzling Grill Selections Hamburger Steak $3.49 Salmon Steak $4.89 Ribeye Small $6.49 Sword Fish $4.79 Ribeye Large $7.49 Halibut $6.99 Top Sirloin $5.99 Broiled Boneless Chicken Breast$3.89 Catfish Filet $4.99 The above Seafood available Sauteed, Broiled or Cajun Style. Choice of Baked Potato or Stir Fry Vegetables with above. SALAD BAR with above $1.89 Outside Catering Available Located In The Old Morrison’s Cafeteria In The Roswell Mall Hours: Mon.-Fri. LUNCH-llam-2:30pm DINNER-4:30pm-9pm 641-7238 SATURDAY ll:30am-9pm SUNDAY ll:30am-8pm VATICAN CITY (NC) - A Vatican-named commis sion is “studying the possibility of reconsider ing” the church’s ban on in stalling women as acolytes and lectors, said Arch bishop Jan Schotte, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops and a commission member. But this does not mean that current church rules will be changed, he said. “Nothing is excluded.” but “nothing has been decided,” he added. The study commission is only empowered to present information to Pope John Paul II for his use. he add ed. Although church rules bar women from being for mally initiated as lectors and acolytes, as a practice many women do the readings at Mass and in some places women or girls have served at the altar. The 12-member commis sion has been in existence for a year and is studying the overall issue of ministries in the church, said Archbishop Schotte at a Jan. 30 news conference. At the news conference the Vatican released the pope's post-synodal apos tolic exhortation on the role of the laity in the church and the world, the theme of the 1987 world Synod of Bishops. In the document the pope said the commission had been established to study the theological, liturgical, pastoral and juridical aspects of lay ministries in Quality Custom Home Building Lambert Properties, Inc. Member N.A.H.B. MOMS OWMHt MMUNtAMTV *-> Flynn Lambert 404-977-9198 the church, including the ban on women as acolytes and lectors. A reconsideration of the ban was asked by the synod. The overall scope of the commission is to provide information about lay ministries in today's world and to define them in rela tion to the general obliga tions and tasks of all Catholics, he said “We have to be much more severe and clear in using the term ministry,” he added. "Is visiting the sick a ministry? It could become one if it is something the community entrusts to one person. But it is also an obligation of every baptiz ed person.” said Archbish op Schotte “So if someone visits the sick, that doesn't mean he becomes a minister," he said NHR NICK HOME REPAIR , Piaster Stucco Painting Remodeling A Room Additions NICK Rock General Contractor Brick 18 yrs experience Block. BEEPER HOME T,l * s 360-9950 934-6621 Formula 1040 Having difficulty READING LIPS? . . . Fainting? Nauseous? We have the cure for you. . . Call for your appointment 264-1225 Harless & Associates Certified Public Accountants 3060 Peachtree Road, NW Suitel430 Atlanta, GA 30305 “Emergency 24-Hour Service” Forms: 1040 4506 1096 4562 1099 4664 1310 4835 2106 4970 2120 5498 2441 8027 2848 4136 4137 4255 d* +■
