Archbishop urges better use of consultation structures in church

Published: 2005-06-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Turning the church into a real communion means making better use of the church's consultative structures, Archbishop V. James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, Manitoba, said June 24 in an address in Washington. Implementation of parish and diocesan councils, priests' councils and synods in the church "has been uneven and frustration is evident at every level," he said. To make such structures work, he added, openness and commitment are needed on the part of bishops, priests and laity. On the leadership side, he said, "communion can hit a brick wall in an authoritarian, autocratic or frightened leader. The laity can feel quite paralyzed." On the side of the laity, "sitting on the fence, shooting from the bushes, cynical bystanding are not options for serious Christians," he said. "Fear and cynicism must give way to trust. Generous collaboration is called for from all."

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