Philadelphia Inquirer, Friday, August 30, 1996
Front Page
CHICAGO -- Cardinal Joseph Bernardin's proposal for a series of conferences on issues that divide Roman Catholics has itself created a public split among his fellow archbishops.
Cardinal Bernardin is trying to calm the waters with assurances that a dialogue on issues such as abortion, birth control, ordination of women, and celibacy of priests won't deny church teachings.
"We do not seek 'least-common-denominator Catholicism,' " Cardinal Bernardin said in statement yesterday.
Cardinal Bernardin, the nation's senior active Catholic cardinal, announced the Catholic Common Ground Project earlier this month, calling it an attempt to end infighting he says is threatening the mission of the church. He said it would bring together religious leaders and other Catholics with "divergent perspectives."
Some church leaders and activists stand with Cardinal Bernardin, regarded as a liberal-minded consensus-builder in the church. But his proposal was met with suspicion from more liberal Catholics and outright hostility from conservative church activists.
In a rare public display of dissension, the project has been questioned by at least three prominent cardinals: Archbishops Anthony J. Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, James A. Hickey of Washington and Bernard F. Law of Boston.
"When divergent opinions on theological matters are examined in a public forum, by a group, most of whom are not theologians, then reported secondhand in the media, confusion among Catholics grows," Cardinal Bevilacqua said.
Cardinal Hickey said: "We cannot achieve church unity by accommodating those who dissent from church teaching -- whether on the left or on the right."
And Cardinal Law said the church already has common ground, "found in the sacred Scripture and tradition."
Cardinal Bernardin responded in a statement affirming his commitment.
"Of course, we anticipated criticisms from some groups on the right or left who are convinced that anything not explicitly committed to their respective agenda will only strengthen their adversaries or legitimate the status quo," Cardinal Bernardin said. "They simply do not see the situation as we do.
"More troubling is the criticism that mixes arguable points with what I believe are grave misunderstandings."
Cardinal Bernardin assured critics that the effort acknowledges a fundamental reliance on Scripture and church tradition. And he said any discussion of disagreements "must be accountable to Catholic tradition and the Church's teaching authority."
Cardinal Bernardin acknowledged fears that dialogue can be seen as an effort to erode church teachings or doctrine. But he said it is worth the risk.
"While millions of Catholics of goodwill cannot deny their
concerns and dissatisfactions, they do not want to be drawn into some
basically hostile posture toward the church and its teaching,"
Cardinal Bernardin said. "It is essential that we offer these
faithful people guidelines and models of dialogue."
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Maggie Heineman