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. Click here to register for future calls.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
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 . Click here to register for future calls.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Canon lawyer, Tom Doyle, offers invaluable insight from his 35 years of experience working for justice for victim-survivors and their families into how canon law upholds a clerical system and culture in the Church, which perpetuates a cycle of abuse and coverup. He discuss which canons in particular lay a foundation for clericalism and argues that the entire church structure -- including canon law -- must be radically reformed if the violence and abuse of people and power is to stop. Click here to register for future calls.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Francine Cardman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry presents an overview of the development of hierarchy and clericalism in the Roman Church, addressing the Church's evolving understanding of charism, office, ordination, and authority; the influence of sacramental theology; as well as the role of secular political realities. She also takes participant questions. This teleconference was the second in the series "Power to the People: From Clericalism to Collaboration" throughout 2019. Click here to register for future calls.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Author and journalist Thomas Reese, SJ provides an overview of the clergy sex abuse crisis, assessing the effectiveness of steps that have already been taken, reflecting on the latest developments, and outlining the challenges and opportunities ahead as we seek to move from a culture of clericalism to a culture of synodality in the Church. Fr. Reese also takes listener questions about the crisis and how lay people hold Church officials -- at every level -- accountable. This teleconference was the first in the series "Power to the People: From Clericalism to Collaboration" throughout 2019. Click here to register for future calls.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, Dr. Higgins discusses the latest developments in clergy sex abuse and cover-up, including the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, Cardinal McCarrick’s resignation, and allegations made by Archbishop Vigano against Pope Francis . In our time together, Higgins argues that the "demolition" of the seminary system is the "kind of radical change the Catholic Church needs if it is to tackle the systemic evil that is clericalism," which is "the root cause of our institutional pathology." Take Action: Urge our bishops to overhaul seminaries.
Download Higgins-The fall of McCarrick.mp3 (48.85 MB)
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Professor Thomas O'Loughlin shares his expertise regarding the historical theology of the Eucharist. He shows the developments until now and helps restore the original understanding of the Eucharist as giving thanks to God.
Transcipt of presentation
Transcipt of presentation
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
The question for us is: "What is God's unshakeable, unmistakeable call?".
For Karen, Jimmy and Sean, the answer is unfolding as Benincasa Community. During our talk we will describe our community's founding impulse, the needs we see in our Church and City today, our work, our commitments, and our learnings...as well as explain why we no longer worry about distinctions such as "religious" and "lay".
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Sisters Andrea Koverman, Leslie Keener, and Julia Walsh share their insights and hopes for the future of religious life from the perspective of young Catholic sisters.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Fr. Joseph Healey shares his expertise in helping develop Small Christian Communities in Africa.
Read Fr. Joe's written presentation
- Download Fr.JoeHealey.mp3 (72.68 MB)
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Chris Lowney discusses the future of lay leadership and ministry in the Catholic Church.
- Download ChrisLowneyTeleconference.mp3 (59.69 MB)
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Jamie Manson discusses her innovative ideas about the shape and direction of religious life for the 21st century.
Transcipt of teleconference
- Download Jamie Manson Teleconfernce.mp3 (48.74 MB)
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Fr. Robert Duch discusses Bishop Fritz Lobinger's model for electing community leaders. Learn about the basic structure of the model and its potential in the Catholic Church.
Read presentation notes
- Download LobingerModel-FrRobertDuch.mp3 (45.81 MB)
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Professor Ed Hahnenberg discusses innovative models of ministry being developed to meet the needs of the Church today. He draws on pioneering models in Christian history to show how every age innovates according to the needs of its era.
Read the transcript
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Msgr. Ray Cole discusses the plan developed by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests for priestless parishes.