Head of NFPC sees need to change clergy image in wake of abuse crisis

Published: 2004-12-01

CHICAGO (CNS) -- In the wake of the clerical sexual abuse crisis, the Catholic Church must find a way to move forward, but perhaps with a different view of the priesthood, said Father Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests' Councils. "We see a world in need of evangelization," Father Silva said. "It's a multiethnic world, a multigenerational world, it's a transgenerational world. It's a world that yearns and struggles. We need not be afraid. We need to go forward with hope." Father Silva's Nov. 15 presentation was the third of six installments of Loyola University Chicago's chapel series. This year, speakers in the series offer an afternoon lecture about their work, followed by an evening reflection in the context of a prayer service. To go forward, Father Silva said, priests must see themselves as belonging to the communities they serve, rather than as "men set apart." "If you live in this world where it's you and Jesus, you and God, and you're not like the rest of men, you're setting yourself up for a big fall," Father Silva said.

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