RUSS DITZEL, PRESIDENT OF CORPUS, CAN BE REACHED AT crditzel@corpus.org
The board and staff want to particularly thank each of you who have already heeded the call to renew your membership for 2003 - 2004. Timely renewals provide us with a clearer picture of finances supporting program budgets you expect, and the additional fund-raising activities we need to develop to meet any shortfall. Again, beyond your financial contributions, we welcome your offer of time and talent. We are in for the long haulﾅ preparing a Church worthy of our children and grandchildren.
I hope as youﾒve been reading through this issue of CORPUS Reports that youﾒve picked up on the energy that sparked our national conference in Dallas in June. The keynote speakers, workshop presenters and guest homilist were phenomenal and their presentations electrifying. Each particularly highlighted how far weﾒve come as a faith community since Vatican II. They also helped us reenergize our personal and collaborative sense of mission and ministry.
One of the highlights of the weekend was our presentation of Distinguished Service Awards to David Gawlik, editor of CORPUS Reports and William Manseau, chair of the CORPUS Pension Advocacy Campaign. David and Bill were recognized for their incredible gifts of ministry support not only to CORPUS, but their vision and witness to married priesthood and the wider faith community. Billﾒs recognition was particularly timely given canonical entanglements surrounding his request to regularize his marital status with the Church. (See Billﾒs article found on page 16.)
Conferences are wonderful opportunities to gather with old and new friends alike. We had the pleasure of joining with CORPUS members from around the country, a Call to Action contingent from Dallas-Fort Worth, some members of Voice of the Faithful, and Pat McArron, president of Dignity USA. The weekend atmosphere encouraged us to build upon Sylvia and Allen Mooreﾒs fantastic conference program management these past two years. We deeply appreciate their willingness to take on this ministry again for 2004.
Weﾒve mentioned a few times that weﾒve been working to develop connectivity and synergy with ﾓofficialﾔ Church ministry organizations joined around a grant focused on new directions in leadership and ministry. Weﾒve had a number of conversations with members of these groups offering CORPUSﾒ support and energies. Our discussions have gone beyond pleasantries as weﾒve talked about the state of our Church. Weﾒve listened to off the record expressions voicing deep-seated anxiety, bordering on fear of episcopal reprisals should our connectivity become formalized. Thus, it was no surprise that we were recently advised it ﾓwould not be in their best interestsﾔ to be in a dialog relationship with CORPUS at this time. Sadly, even after all that has gone on these past 20 months or so, ﾓweﾔ are the ones who are still formally persona non grata.
When asked about blessings in our lives, CORPUS members often energize around the gift of combining a committed relationship with sacramental ministry. It has been striking me more and more lately that one of the most profound gifts weﾒve received has been to be invited by the Spirit of Jesus into the margins of our Church. Jesus found himself most at home among the anawim. It was in their everyday lives that he was best able to celebrate the good news. We must work for structural changes open to inclusive sacramental ministry. We must keep in mind, however, that our deeper mission is sharing the good news with the poor and healing the brokenhearted, not getting invited back to the ﾓrich manﾒs table.ﾔ
Closing on an uplifting imageﾅ resonating ﾓwith Christianityﾒs roots in the Old Testament and with its New Testament message of Resurrection, is the church as the Burning Bush, speaking the voice of God, promising liberation and witness from the midst of that inferno without being consumed. Now, more than at any other time since Vatican II, that promise has a chance to be fulfilledﾔ pens David Gibson in his introduction to The Coming Catholic Church (HarperSanFrancisco, July 2003).
Written in the journalistic style of an investigative reporter, Gibson provides quality insights into the possibilities we face as a Church at the crossroads from the vantage points of laity, clergy and hierarchy. Powerfully written, and filled with hope, I suggest you find a copy and a corner in which to read it ﾅ soon.
Peace and blessings,
Russ Ditzel
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Presented to
DAVID A. GAWLIK
priest, humanitarian
publisher and editor of CORPUS REPORTS
with deep gratitude of
the whole CORPUS community
in recognition of
his vision, service and pursuit of excellence
June 2003
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Presented to
WILLIAM J. MANSEAU, D.Min.
priest, humanitarian
Chair, Pension Advocacy Campaign
with deep gratitude of
the whole CORPUS community
in recognition of
his passionate justice advocacy and
witness to a married priesthood
June 2003
