| April
23, 2003
- To the Editor of the Boston Globe:
The Globe and others are free to comment as they wish on the Church’s
activities. Ms. Vennochi’s column “Catholic Church still
won’t listen” of 4/15/03 helps us all to illuminate the
misperceptions and inaccuracies that persist and which need to be corrected
regarding the Archdiocese of Boston position on funds offered by the
Voice of Compassion.
Bishop Lennon declined a contribution from Voice of Compassion, not
because the Church “will not take money from people who want
to change it,” but because of the conditions attached to the
gift which he found unacceptable.
Ms. Venocchi claims that the moral authority of church leaders
has gone “up in incense.” The moral authority of anyone
in the Church does not rely upon an individual’s adherence to
the Church’s moral teaching, but on the truth of what Jesus Christ
himself taught and handed on to the Church. While it is true that the
preaching of that truth is hindered by a failure at times to live it,
the fact is that truth is truth apart from the weakness of man or woman
to live it. Moral authority is not derived from a weak humanity. Thank
God for that.
Finally, Ms. Vennochi asserts that church leaders “still decline
to listen to the people who fill the pews and to the priests who preach
from the parish pulpits.” Church leaders, including Bishop Lennon,
continue to visit parishes, meet with survivors of sexual abuse, numerous
lay people and priests, and consult with the faithful at all levels.
These gatherings allow all present to listen and are invaluable opportunities
for all present to speak and hear the truth, free of the filtering
and interpretation of the media. In all of this, whether we agree or
disagree with each other at times, it is important that all continue
to work together to bring about healing and reconciliation, most especially
for the victims and their families, but also for all those who make
up the Archdiocese of Boston.
Sincerely,
Fr. Christopher Coyne
Spokesman, Archdiocese of Boston
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