Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

The Bishop Writes

(From the Jan. 13, 2005 edition of the Inland Register)

Many of our national magazines feature an annual issue recapping in story and picture the events of the past year. In many ways this has been quite a year for all of us – not only as citizens of the United States, but as Catholics as well.

We’ve had our national election of a president, and the situation in Iraq becomes even more complicated as many members of our families are there serving in the armed forces. There has been violence in so many parts of the world as terrorist networks have spread and as ideological conflicts violate so terribly the dignity of persons.

In the Catholic Church we continue to address the issue of sexual abuse. In the Spokane Diocese we have had the dubious honor of being the third Catholic diocese in the United States to file for Chapter 11 Reorganization. Given our sensitivity to all of the victims, and as the one responsible for the continuing mission of the Church here in Eastern Washington, I determined that this decision was the most fair, just and equitable way for all involved. I ask your continuing prayers that indeed this goal will be achieved.

We have concluded our second audit of the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Youth and Children. I’m gratified that the Spokane Diocese is in full compliance with the Charter. This compliance has had significant impact upon how ministry with youth and children is conducted. Thousands of people have been trained in the diocese with regard to providing a safe environment for the protection of children. The diocese’s newly revised Code of Conduct and the Diocesan Review Board for sexual abuse have been very important factors in monitoring what we do and should be doing. Contrary to some comments, I don’t see any bishop in this country backing away from the implementation of the Charter and the provision of a safe environment for all ministry in the Church.

So much has happened in the diocese this past year. We have concluded a successful campaign for the support of priestly formation and the replacement of the Bishop White Seminary building – the “Here I Am, Lord,” campaign. The goal was $10 million. (Editor’s note: See page 3 of this issue.)

People in the diocese have been so generous and supportive in so many ways. Catholic Charities has just completed the building of the new St. Anne Children and Family Center. Our diocesan directory and our web site tell the story of the many organizations in the diocese involved in social service, education, and Catholic health care. For a relatively small diocese, the lists are very impressive!

That’s not to mention the operation of some 80 parishes serving faith communities in Eastern Washington. Granted, some of those communities are small, but some are also quite large. I wish all of you could have been with me when I celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in mid-December in St. Patrick  Parish in Pasco. The church was packed. The singing was jubilant. The devotion of the parishioners was obvious.

The parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Spokane eagerly await the dedication of their new church as construction begins again after a temporary delay caused by our Chapter 11 filing.

As I look at my Palm Pilot this past year, I celebrated Confirmation/First Eucharist on 54 occasions in 2004. These are wonderful moments of parish and family celebration.

As we move into 2005, we do so with a spirit of hope, joy and profound gratitude. Yes, we are dealing with some very historic and challenging issues. As we do so, let’s strive to keep in right balance the appropriate values befitting a disciple of Jesus: compassion, forgiveness, love, generosity, bearing with one another, and constantly searching for a deeper sense of unity and community.

This is also the Year of the Eucharist. I hope every parish aggressively uses this time to help make Eucharist appreciated and celebrated well. This is a powerful sacrament! It is the Bread of Life that satisfies so much spiritual hunger. A study of some of the recent papal documents, such as “Day of the Lord,” “Eucharist in the Church” and “Remain with Us” can be very helpful as we strive to deepen our Eucharistic spirituality.

A blessed and joyful New Year to all of you. May we together lean into this New Year with a spirit of hopeful expectation and joyful gratitude. We indeed have been very, very blessed!