Return to the New
Evangelization main page Bishop Richard J.
Malone, Th.D. voted with the majority of bishops to conduct a second
audit of all U.S. dioceses to determine compliance with the Charter
for Child and Youth Protection. The vote was 207 in favor and 14
opposed with one abstention during the USCCB meeting in Denver June 15th.
Bishop Malone had decided before the meeting that regardless of the
vote, he would conduct another audit to mark the progress in our own
diocese with the requirements of the Charter. The audit will begin
this fall and must be complete by the end of the year. Among the
mandates, the Charter calls on all dioceses to reach out to victims of
sexual abuse, to remove abusive priests, to conduct background checks
on church employees and volunteers who work with children, and to
report cases of clergy abuse of minors to law enforcement.
During the first
audit last year, the Portland Diocese was found in compliance with the
Charter. |
Forward in Faith: A Message from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland ~ July 2004 The New Evangelization Planning Committee is beginning the work of formulating recommendations on how to most effectively utilize our current and projected resources in carrying out the work of the Church. The challenge before the committee is to consider the declining number of priests, the number of parishes, our ministry needs (parish, hospital, education, etc.) and the talents of our laity in order to propose a 7-10 year plan of evangelization. It is clear our personnel and financial resources can no longer effectively support our 135 parishes and 44 missions in their present configuration; we must find a better approach. During the two hour meeting held at Notre Dame Parish, Waterville the 18-member committee talked about the reasons they are willing to serve and their hopes for the Diocese--among them: the desire to participate in positive change and a shared vision that the Church will become re-energized and strengthened by increased lay involvement. Bishop Richard Malone explained the committee’s mission: to develop new models that will improve the Church’s ability to spread the Word of God. The committee was given publications on evangelization and a history of our Diocese’s efforts at “clustering” parishes. The group expressed a desire to keep the laity informed of its progress which will take place through these bulletin inserts, the Diocesan website and Church World. The next meeting of the committee will take place July 22nd. Committee members are: Kathryn Albert, Hiram; Patricia Berthiaume, Biddeford; Deacon Frank Chambers, Raymond; Martha Conroy, Portland; Elizabeth Crowley, Madison; Fr. Andrew Dubois, Lewiston; Sr. Patricia Flynn, RSM, Portland; Denis Fortier, Lewiston; William Hogan, Veazie; Sr. Carol Jean Lappa, RSR, Portland; Kevin Lavoie, Fort Kent; Philip Mason, Brunswick; Robert McAteer, Ellsworth; Fr. Mark Nolette, Calais; Fr. James Robichaud, Dover-Foxcroft; Lynn Schiavi, South Paris; Pat Phillips, Lubec; Richard Doyle, Perry. Bishop Malone has asked Martha Conroy to serve as chair of the committee.
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Your input is important As Sacred Heart / St. Dominic embarks with other parishes in the Diocese on this parish reorganization plan that emphasizes mission, the role of the laity and parish collaboration, your input is important. Use the suggestion box at the back of the church to give your input, or send a message to the Parish Office, by e-mail to tsacredh@maine.rr.com, or by regular mail to:
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