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Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis told journalists June 4 that a proposal in the draft of a national sex-abuse policy which would allow possible return to limited ministry for some priests who have sexually abused a minor only once in the past “is going to be hotly debated” when the U.S. bishops gather June 13-15.

Cardinal will take Chicago input to Dallas gathering
When Cardinal George leaves to attend the June 13-15 bishops’ meeting in Dallas, he will go armed not only with a draft proposal for a national sex abuse policy, but also with two reports on the situation in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Before the meeting, Cardinal George will study the draft to make suggestions directly to the ad hoc committee chaired by St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Harry Flynn, said archdiocesan Chancellor Jimmy Lago.

Saying farewell
Parishes close or merge, church goes on
It’s a fact of life: Parishes are born, grow and, sometimes, they die. This reality–affecting believers at four Chicago parishes this year—is painful, even life-changing for the people who endure it.

A parish, after all, as the accompanying stories attest, can be a deep-rooted part of their past and surely part of their present. And when there is no future, the pain is real.

Nor will that pain be lessened knowing that parish and school closings are relatively common in the Archdiocese of Chicago and elsewhere, given growth, population shifts and other changes.

Hope, anger at closings
Robert Zeegers calls himself a perennial optimist. That’s a value serving him well with the closing of St. Michael School (24th Place, Chicago) where he is principal. His is one of 16 archdiocesan Catholic elementary schools to shut their doors this June.

“I have been in Catholic education for 30 years and know the reality of the financial aspect of operating a school,” he said. “I firmly believe the Holy Spirit is among us and somehow this all will work itself out. Everything has a purpose.”

The closings—and the opening of three new Catholic elementary schools in Chicago—were announced in January by Superintendent Nicholas M. Wolsonovich. Two North Side schools also will be consolidated. He said the move come in response to changing demographics.

Religious publishing thrives in Chicago area
In the wake of Sept. 11 and the current crisis in the church, many Catholics are looking for answers, consolation and an enriched prayer life in the pages of religious books.

As publishers from around the country gathered for the national Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit in St. Charles, Ill., last month, three local Catholic publishers and a book publicist talked about the current boom in spiritual reading. They also traced trends in religious publishing, what books are likely to make it to the bestsellers list—and why.

DeChant-Hughes: Marketing the Word to People

ACTA: Spirituality without footnotes

LTP: Promoting a richer prayer life

Loyola: Books for everyday Catholics

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