http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200991218057
I read Dan Warner's article on Bishop Dewane, “Undeterred by dust-ups, Bishop Frank Dewane focuses on flock,” Dec. 13, with great interest as I am a priest who lives and serves in the Diocese of Venice.
My ministry at the Church of the Good Shepherd: An Inclusive Catholic Community serves the poor of Fort Myers and surrounding areas. We feed, clothe and shoe the poor and shelter the homeless. We celebrate Mass at 2 p.m. on Sundays and serve a hot meal afterward. We also provide social and spiritual services.
In reading Warner's article I wondered if I would learn about something substantial that Bishop Dewane plans to offer the poor and homeless. Their ranks have swelled in this time of national recession. This area is near the top of the list for unemployment and foreclosure, and the people are in great distress. Yet, your article is very clear that under Dewane’s administration financial assistance for the poor given through Catholic Charities has been ended and food pantries are down to being open two hours on one day a week.
These facts are well known to people who turn to local churches directly for assistance. It is true that Catholics are generous givers, as are those of other faiths. I commend the work of Catholic Charities, but there is something very wrong when the finery of the church is maintained, including housing for the Bishop, when people are hungry and without shelter. The church can do better than placing a giving-tree in the Cathedral. Shame, if we cannot help empower people to attain the resources they need to live. Shame if whatever money we collect does not go to relieve the poor.
There is something very wrong when Mission churches, such as St. Peter Claver, are closed when they are in the areas that serve the poorest. There is something very wrong when a Bishop claims to put the people of God foremost and funds are no longer available for them.
There is something very wrong when a bishop claims no knowledge of the several firings of the educators named in the article and others, and the censure of spiritual leaders who see things differently, such as the leader of Call To Action, Ellen McNally, a former Sister. It is well known that any person or organization who supports a range of issues regarding equality and dignity for all of God’s children even indirectly, or that even listens to other views is censured by the Bishop’s office. How can he not know? The affairs of a spiritual leader’s office should be open and transparent. The buck stops with the head, the bishop.
-->(2 of 2)
I am a validly ordained Roman Catholic Woman Priest, one of over a hundred throughout the world and the number grows steadily.
Although we are not recognized by the Catholic hierarchy, we do not accept that anyone can separate us from the Church. I have remained publicly quiet until now as all of my energies must go to serving God’s people, but your article awakened me.
We have served the flock that the Bishop talks about for almost three years, providing thousands of hot meals on Friday nights in Lion’s Park and now at our church by the grace of God and the generosity of people. We have shepherded 25 people from sleeping on the streets and in the woods to permanent housing. We believe that the good news to the poor includes being poor no more.
We partner with Lamb of God Lutheran Episcopal Church in Estero in a blessed ecumenical effort. We have had over one hundred volunteers from various communities (Roman Catholic parishes included) assist us in these efforts, including Ellen McNally, who headed one of four teams that cooked and served meals. If her “Catholicity” is in question because she heads Call to Action, then so is Bishop Dewane’s. My soul is full of hope in this Advent season. If Bishop Dewane’s heart is moved by God’s people, then let him redirect some funds to the poor and cease his censure and oppression of all who disagree with him.
— Rev. Dr. Judith A.B. Lee is Pastor of The Good Shepherd: Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers
Rev. Dr. Judith A.B. Lee: Bishop Dewane's support for poor inadequate during a recession
Rev. Dr. Judith A.B. Lee - Guest Opinion • December 19, 2009
Rev. Dr. Judith A.B. Lee - Guest Opinion • December 19, 2009
I read Dan Warner's article on Bishop Dewane, “Undeterred by dust-ups, Bishop Frank Dewane focuses on flock,” Dec. 13, with great interest as I am a priest who lives and serves in the Diocese of Venice.
My ministry at the Church of the Good Shepherd: An Inclusive Catholic Community serves the poor of Fort Myers and surrounding areas. We feed, clothe and shoe the poor and shelter the homeless. We celebrate Mass at 2 p.m. on Sundays and serve a hot meal afterward. We also provide social and spiritual services.
In reading Warner's article I wondered if I would learn about something substantial that Bishop Dewane plans to offer the poor and homeless. Their ranks have swelled in this time of national recession. This area is near the top of the list for unemployment and foreclosure, and the people are in great distress. Yet, your article is very clear that under Dewane’s administration financial assistance for the poor given through Catholic Charities has been ended and food pantries are down to being open two hours on one day a week.
These facts are well known to people who turn to local churches directly for assistance. It is true that Catholics are generous givers, as are those of other faiths. I commend the work of Catholic Charities, but there is something very wrong when the finery of the church is maintained, including housing for the Bishop, when people are hungry and without shelter. The church can do better than placing a giving-tree in the Cathedral. Shame, if we cannot help empower people to attain the resources they need to live. Shame if whatever money we collect does not go to relieve the poor.
There is something very wrong when Mission churches, such as St. Peter Claver, are closed when they are in the areas that serve the poorest. There is something very wrong when a Bishop claims to put the people of God foremost and funds are no longer available for them.
There is something very wrong when a bishop claims no knowledge of the several firings of the educators named in the article and others, and the censure of spiritual leaders who see things differently, such as the leader of Call To Action, Ellen McNally, a former Sister. It is well known that any person or organization who supports a range of issues regarding equality and dignity for all of God’s children even indirectly, or that even listens to other views is censured by the Bishop’s office. How can he not know? The affairs of a spiritual leader’s office should be open and transparent. The buck stops with the head, the bishop.
-->(2 of 2)
I am a validly ordained Roman Catholic Woman Priest, one of over a hundred throughout the world and the number grows steadily.
Although we are not recognized by the Catholic hierarchy, we do not accept that anyone can separate us from the Church. I have remained publicly quiet until now as all of my energies must go to serving God’s people, but your article awakened me.
We have served the flock that the Bishop talks about for almost three years, providing thousands of hot meals on Friday nights in Lion’s Park and now at our church by the grace of God and the generosity of people. We have shepherded 25 people from sleeping on the streets and in the woods to permanent housing. We believe that the good news to the poor includes being poor no more.
We partner with Lamb of God Lutheran Episcopal Church in Estero in a blessed ecumenical effort. We have had over one hundred volunteers from various communities (Roman Catholic parishes included) assist us in these efforts, including Ellen McNally, who headed one of four teams that cooked and served meals. If her “Catholicity” is in question because she heads Call to Action, then so is Bishop Dewane’s. My soul is full of hope in this Advent season. If Bishop Dewane’s heart is moved by God’s people, then let him redirect some funds to the poor and cease his censure and oppression of all who disagree with him.
— Rev. Dr. Judith A.B. Lee is Pastor of The Good Shepherd: Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers
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