Author: Russ Petrus

Marie Collins Accepts FutureChurch’s 2019 Louis J. Trivison Award

Written on November 8, 2019. Posted in Fall Event.

FutureChurch co-director, Deborah Rose-Milavec, introduces and presents Marie Collins with the 2019 Louis J. Trivison award in recognition of her tireless pursuit of justice for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, protection of children and vulnerable people, and accountability from the hierarchy. Accepting the award, Marie Collins offers a brief presentation on her background, her experience as a member of the Papal Commission for the Protection of Minors, two reforms she sees as necessary, and what gives her hope.

Read the transcript of this presentation.

2019 Keynote Presentation: Robert Mickens

Written on November 7, 2019. Posted in Fall Event.

FutureChurch co-founder, Christine Schenk, CSJ, introduces Robert Mickens, English-language editor for LaCroix International. Mickens puts forth one answer to the question, “The Francis Reforms: Too Little, Too Late” by placing the Papacy of Francis in the context of modern history and recent papacies, arguing Pope Francis’ push toward a more universal and less Euro-centric focus is perhaps one of his greatest reforms.

Read the transcript of this presentation

2019 Fall Event Program

Written on November 7, 2019. Posted in Fall Event.

FutureChurch’s 2019 Fall Event Program includes biographies of our guests, a listing of our event sponsors, advertisements from friends of FutureChurch, and reports and updates on our programming.

View/download the program.

Karen Gargamelli-McCreight Accepts the 2019 Christine Schenk Award

Written on November 7, 2019. Posted in Fall Event.

Friend of FutureChurch, Luke Hansen, introduces and presents Karen Gargamelli-McCreight with the 2019 Christine Schenk Award for Young Catholic Leaders in recognition of her co-founding of Benincasa Community in New York as well as her efforts to promote the role laity — and particularly women — in the Church. Accepting the award, Karen Gargamelli-McCreight introduces Benincasa Community, tells the story of its founding, and shares some of their advocacy actions with us.

Read the transcript of this presentation.

Power to the People: The Role of the Laity with Fr. Don Cozzens

Written on September 16, 2019. Posted in Justice In the Church, Power to the People Series.

Donald Cozzens, priest, commentator and author of the award-winning book The Changing Face of the Priesthood discusses specific steps lay persons can take — on a personal level — to help dismantle a culture of clericalism in the church.

Confronting the Systemic Dysfunction of Clericalism

Written on June 30, 2019. Posted in Future of Priestly Ministry.

This June 2019 paper on clericalism was produced by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests in collaboration with Voice of the Faithful and lay people and clergy across the nation; endorsed by FutureChurch.

Confronting the Systemic Dysfunction of Clericalism

Power to the People: Euphemization of Power with Michele Dillon

Written on June 26, 2019. Posted in Justice In the Church, Power to the People Series.

Michele Dillon, Ph.D., Professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire and expert in autonomy and authority in the Catholic Church, discusses the hiearchy’s use of euphemization to both downplay the tragedy of the clergy abuse crisis and coverup and to maintain their own power and prohibit women from leadership and ministerial roles.

Power to the People: Language and Accountability with Katie Grimes, Ph.D.

Written on May 22, 2019. Posted in Justice In the Church, Power to the People Series.

Katie Grimes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics at Villanova University expands upon her essay on Episcopal Accountability, which appeared in A Pope Francis Lexicon, presenting an overview of how the Church’s language and tradition around priesthood, episcopacy, and servant leadership create a barrier to a culture of accountability. The following question and answer session explores some ways lay Catholics can help to overcome the obstacles.