Sample Letter to a Cardinal
Cardinal Adam Maida
1234 Washington Blvd
Detroit, MI 48226
May 11, 2001
Dear Cardinal Maida,
FutureChurch is a coalition of over 4000 parish-based Catholics in this country. We are concerned about the shortage of priests and the loss of the Eucharist for so many Catholics throughout the world. I write to assure you of our prayers and support for the special consistory of cardinals convened by Pope John Paul II for May 21-24, 2001.
News reports indicate that Pope John Paul II has asked the cardinals to discuss several major issues facing the Church today, specifically, the role of the papacy in efforts for Christian unity, the role of the Curia in relation to the College of Bishops, the authority of the Synod of Bishops, and other items.
We believe that the number one crisis facing the Church today is the worldwide shortage of priests. We are asking you as an American representative at the consistory to request that this problem be given top priority in the discussions of the Cardinals. While the recent study by the U.S. bishops reported that 27% of the parishes in the U.S. have no priest, we believe that you will receive overwhelming support for this proposal from the European, Asian, African and South American cardinals. Nothing is more urgent for Catholics today than the threatened loss of the Eucharist as the center of our Catholic life.
In accord with our responsibility to “make our views known on matters which concern the good of the Church,” (Canon 212, par.2) we urge you to propose that the Church consider opening ordination to all Catholics called to it by God and the people of God, including married men, women and resigned priests rather than lose access to our Catholic Mass. Our prayers are with you in these crucial days.
Sincerely in Christ,
FutureChurch Leadership Council
| (Rev.) Louis J. Trivison (coordinator) | J. Gerard Sheehan (coordinator) | (Rev.) Ronald Bryda |
| Stephen DeJohn | (Rev.) Daniel Divis | Karen Michney Heipp |
| Barbara Nuckley | Robert J. Kloos | Beth Wolfson |
| Marla J. Loehr | (Rev.) Eldon Reichert | Lisa Frey |
| Samir Mourad | ||
| cc: | Bishop Anthony M. Pilla Bishop A. James Quinn Bishop A. Edward Pevec |
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