EDUCATIONAL REFERENCES
As relevant news and background items come to light, we will highlight them here for your reading and thought.
DECEMBER 1ST
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US Catholic bishops elect their first Hispanic immigrant as president
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US Bishops debate on wording and priorities for "Faithful Citizenship" document in anticipation of 2020 election.
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A mixed bag regarding the Church's worldwide response to the sex abuse crisis.
NOVEMBER 24th
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A mixed bag regarding the Church's worldwide response to the sex abuse crisis.
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Newly elected president of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a Hispanic immigrant.
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US Bishops debate on wording and priorities for "Faithful Citizenship" document in anticipation of 2020 election.

RESOURCE Information

Child Abuse Prevention Resources
Victim's Assistance Resources

Pamphlets

A Guide for Victims of
Sexual Abuse
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​National Catholic Reporter Article
Parishioners at two Philadelphia-area churches organize on abuse crisis.
Pictured Left to Right:  Mia Holman, Augustinian Fr. Joseph Genito, Cara Tripodi and Ann Carr
INFORMATION
WATCH Provincial Meeting - Minutes from November 16th
WATCH (We Are The Church) is a group formed as a result of the sexual abuse crisis in the Church, comprised of parishioners and clergy dedicated to collaboration in addressing the full scope of issues around the crisis, guiding the parish in ways to rectify past wrongs and working towards a just solution for all affected by it.  Here is a list of the Task Forces established for the purpose of providing information and guidance:
 
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:  Tracking legislation around the U.S. related to the rights of victims and promoting legislation  that supports the prosecution of all perpetrators of sexual abuse, gathering information about legislative initiatives in PA, NJ and elsewhere, and about PA legislators’ and our US representatives’ positions on these issues.
(Contact Nancy Hopko:  nancy.sharts-hopko@villanova.edu)
 
VICTIMS’ HEALING:
Assessing the needs of victims and exploring ways to meet them, considering that there may be the necessity for counseling and financial assistance, among other services.
(Contact Carol Abele:  millbrook12@verizon.net)
 
PARISH FINANCIAL ACTION:
Researching applicable Canon Law to determine how Parish financial resources can be applied effectively in light of the abuse scandal, and related financial information from other Parishes, Universities and Institutions and investigating how both restricted and unrestricted funds were used by the Archdiocese in payments/settlements and other activities. 
(Contact Jay Einspanier:   jkeandkfe@msn.com)
 
LAY LEADERSHIP WITHIN PARISH:
Exploring and implementing ways of including laity in leadership positions within the parish and the church at large, and working towards recognizing and empowering women within the church to be able to use their gifts to the fullest.
(Contact Mia Holman:  holman.mia@gmail.com)
 
NETWORKING:  Creating a heightened and sustained awareness of the sexual abuse crisis within the Church, seeking accountability and transparency from the Church hierarchy, circulating relevant resources, enlisting others in our cause, and collaborating with like-minded parishes and organizations.
(Contact Nancy Costello:  ngcostello@gmail.com)
 
PARISH EDUCATION:
Researching structure and governance in the Catholic Church, highlighting its strengths and good works, in applying a process to propose new ways of going forward in collaboration with the hierarchy.
(Contact Steve Ramsey steveramsey35@outlook.com)
 
PARISH PRAYER AND DIALOGUE:
Exploring and suggesting ways that the feelings and concerns which have arisen from the crisis can be contextualized in prayer, discussion and support groups, and other creative, artistic ways.
(Contact Anne Minicozzi:  Anne.minicozzi@villanova.edu)
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Reimagining the Church
Reflections on the Bridge Dialogues

On four Tuesday evenings this fall, the Lay Leadership Task Force of WATCH hosted a program called the Bridge Dialogues. Thirteen lay people and three members of the clergy met to engage in conversation about the Church today. Drawn together by shared distress over the current state of affairs in the Church, as well as a desire to move forward in healing, this group addressed a variety of issues using a set curriculum. Acknowledging that the Church today is a far cry from the Gospel, participants engaged in respectful discussion by sharing opinions, concerns, hopes, and emotions. The group realized that, because of the complexities of an enormous, centuries-old institution, systemic change within the Catholic Church will be slow. However, there was emphasis on the phrase “think globally, act locally.”  There is much we can do right now within our parish of St. Thomas of Villanova. Some of the key take-aways from the discussion are:

1) The need for education of the laity. Most lay people are unaware both of their rights and responsibilities conferred on them through Baptism. Additionally, for most people, religious education ends after Confirmation. There is a need to try to engage church goers more fully in their faith life beyond Sunday Mass.
                                                                    
 2) The need for the laity and the ordained to recognize, confront, and unlearn clericalism. Attitudes among clergy must shift from “set apart from” or “above” lay people to an attitude of servant leadership.  The laity, while remaining respectful of clerics, must abandon a deferential attitude toward them.

3) The need for a greater role of women within Church ministries and leadership. This issue was one of the most frequently discussed and agreed-upon points throughout the discussions. The Church would be so much richer if it allowed women’s voices to be heard, in preaching and in leadership roles.

4) The need to engage young people in the Church. This is a most serious consideration regarding the future of the Church. (All participants in the Bridge Dialogues were older than 50 years of age.)

5) The need for full transparency from the hierarchy regarding Church governance, particularly disclosure regarding the abuse crisis and regarding finances.

6)The need for healthier psycho-sexual development of seminarians.  
7)Most importantly, the need to pray daily for our Church, realizing that it is only through the Holy Spirit that our Church will be renewed.