Questions from Readers of The Star-Ledger Answered by Archbishop John Myers

Recently, Archbishop Myers answered questions about the Church from readers of The Star-Ledger. Those answers appeared in the Sunday, April 22, 2007 edition of the paper. Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be sharing his answers with you.

Q. Why is the Archdiocese of Newark the only Archdiocese in the Metropolitan area that does not allow family members the right to deliver a eulogy for our loved ones in church?

A. The church, including the Archdiocese of Newark, recognizes the fact that family members, loved ones and friends properly wish to recall with both tears and joy the life of one who has passed to eternity. The "Order of Christian Funerals," which is the proper liturgical book for Catholic celebrations, indicates that this, "first station" rightly takes place in the home or in the funeral home.

In other words, the Mass itself is to focus on God and not primarily on the deceased, although the deceased is very much in the prayers, mind and hearts of those who have gathered.

There is a phrase in the United States translation of the original Latin text that says "a member or friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins." This is not to be an integral part of the liturgy.

Many priests had expressed serious concerns to me about this moment, however. First of all, many people are not experienced public speakers. They would go on at great length. Their emotions, understandably, might get the best of them.

As a result, we developed a policy in the Archdiocese of Newark that permits, if the family so wishes, these brief comments before the Mass begins.

The decision was not intended to be insensitive to the needs of the family to share memories and thoughts about the life of the deceased, but rather to maintain the integrity of our liturgy.

Q. What is the status of sex scandal cases related to priests in New Jersey?

A. I cannot speak for all of New Jersey, but I can speak for the Archdiocese of Newark. At this time there is no person, whether priest, religious or layperson, on assignment in the archdiocese against whom there have been substantiated accusations of sexual abuse. As per our agreement with state officials, all accusations are referred to county prosecutors and we cooperate with them as they judge best. We have attempted to be of assistance to those persons who approach us with accusations or concerns and all of them have been addressed and continue to be addressed. If further information comes forward, our Archdiocesan Review Board, which has been in existence since 1993 and is composed of knowledgeable and experienced laypersons for the most part, is willing to reconsider the cases in the light of new information. In addition, we have also provided sexual abuse awareness training to more that 30,000 clergy, teachers, parish and school staff and volunteers who work with children and youth. It is very clear that the Catholic church will not tolerate abuse and we work very carefully with professionals and public officials to ensure that that is the case.

Q. In the run up to the 2004 election, John Kerry was effectively excommunicated, declared unwelcome at the altar over abortion, not for committing or advocating that sin, but simply for accepting and not opposing Roe vs. Wade. Other communicants understood it would be a sin to even vote for him. What will be the position regarding candidates like Rudy Giuliani who have advocated pro-choice positions and multiple divorces?

A. It has been the position of the Catholic Bishops in the United States and it is my position that we not discuss individual candidates or that we not advise people how to vote. We rather try to teach what we deeply believe is the truth flowing from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage people to follow their faith and consciences.

Q. Will you continue to permit adoptions by Catholic gay/lesbian couples through Catholic Charities? As foster care parents?

A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that homosexual persons "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity." At the same time, they are called to chastity as all other Christians. The Catholic church believes that marriage, when properly understood, is a union between one man and one woman. Homosexual activity of whatever sort and heterosexual activity outside of marriage is contrary to the teachings of Holy Scripture and of the church. It is our hope and expectation that children who are adopted through church programs would receive proper formation in such important issues. We, therefore, will not cooperate in the kind of actions which you mention.

Q. Are Catholic couples who practice artificial means of birth control not in communion with the church, and must they abstain from receiving the Eucharist?

A. It is the teaching and understanding of the church that artificial contraception in whatever form is contrary to the meaning of the marital relationship. To the degree that married couples understand this, and still undertake the practice, they have impaired their communion with the church and objectively have committed serious evil. If a couple respects the role of the church in teaching about such matters and genuinely tries to accept and understand, then they are attempting to maintain full communion with the church. If they do not attempt to understand and to follow the teaching, then they have, at least to a degree, impaired their communion with the church. More than ever today people wish to return to natural living and healing as better alternatives to chemicals, drugs, and mechanized living. Surely, in our most intimate relational expressions and family planning a priority for the natural is optimum. The Archdiocese of Newark provides consultation in Natural Family Planning. Couples can call 973-497-4325.

Q. Pope John Paul II and our present Pope Benedict XVI have spoken out against the suffering of billions of God's creatures in factory farms. What is your opinion of factory farms and the general abuse of animals in our world and how can the church help?

A. I certainly acknowledge the teaching of our Popes in this matter, although I do not know the specific facts that you mention. While animals are created by God to be at the service of human kind, they must not be abused nor cruelly treated. The church is not a policeman, but she is a teacher. We do raise our voices with people of good will everywhere to protest the cruel treatment of animals.

Q. The topic of ordination of married men and women to the priesthood and diaconate has been discussed as a solution to the dwindling numbers of competent ministers in the church. Does the Archbishop expect that women and married men will be welcomed into full participation in ministry in the near future?

A. The topics associated with ordination are examined in an ongoing way by church leadership. Such decisions are reached at a higher level than that of the Diocesan Bishop. In general, even recent discussions have reached the conclusion first of all that the church is not authorized to ordain women in the Sacrament of Holy Orders and that the Church of the Latin Rite will continue to restrict Ordination of the Priesthood to men who are also called to celibacy. I do not anticipate this discipline changing. Certain Eastern Rites of the Catholic church do ordain married men as well, but they are rare in our area. The same is true of some married clergy converts from other Christian traditions. The church does permit married men who are properly prepared and meet other conditions to be ordained to the Diaconate. I do not anticipate this discipline changing.

Q. Is there an audited financial statement of the Archdiocese of Newark available to the faithful?

A. The Archdiocese of Newark is a very large and complex operation. We have many audits. We do not have one comprehensive audit for all of the operations of the Archdiocese. A summary of the audit for the central administration of the Archdiocese is published in our Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Advocate. We use external auditors. The requirements for audits, especially for not-for-profit corporations, have been changing the past few years. We are committed to make a clear presentation in the light of the changing regulations. The Fiscal 2006 financial statements of the Archdiocese will be published in The Catholic Advocate and on the Archdiocesan Web site. (www.rcan.org).

Q. How do you reconcile the Catholic church's exclusion of women from the priesthood with Christ's inclusion of women as his followers in ways that often challenged the cultural traditions of His time, (i.e., speaking with the Samaritan woman, traveling with women in his company, etc.).

A. Women played an important part in the life and ministry of Jesus. This is clear from the gospel accounts. It is also clear that, even though Jesus did not hesitate to challenge the culture and society in which he lived, that he did not include women among the ordained leadership of the church. This is why the Pope and the Ecumenical Councils have determined that the church is not free to change the practice as established by Jesus. This in no way intends to belittle the role of women in the church. Women have long held significant leadership roles and had great influence in the life of the church. I am confident and happy that this will continue. Both lay women and women religious (sisters and nuns) make great contributions to church life and church administration today on the archdiocesan and parish level. They are great contributors in the decision-making process, pastoral life, and Catholic education. Sisters and nuns bring a unique grace to the church community through their witness of community prayer and energetic good works. The Catholic church cherishes the gift of feminine sensitivity and the intuitive insight of laywomen and women religious.

Q. Why will you not allow Voice of the Faithful to meet in the Newark Archdiocese?

A. The organization which calls itself Voice of the Faithful is free to meet anyplace and to discuss whatever matters they choose. That has been our clear statement from the beginning. At the same time, some members of local organizations and certainly some organizations in other parts of the country have associated themselves with groups that are clearly calling for a change in church teaching and discipline. If we were to allow them to meet in properties of the parishes and institutions of the Archdiocese of Newark, we would be giving implicit approval to such dissident opinions. In my own judgment, that would not be responsible on our part and could lead to further confusion in the church.

Q. Why has the Catholic hierarchy become so passive and laid back? Is it because of the sexual abuse scandal? I hear nobody speaking out against same sex marriage or any other topic of Catholic interest?

A. I am afraid that I must disagree with you that the Catholic hierarchy has become passive and laid back. A careful reading of the statements and teachings of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as an analysis of the statements of the Bishops of the State of New Jersey will find that we have, in fact, taken strong stands in most moral matters. Certainly, even in recent months, the New Jersey Bishops have sent a letter to parishes on matters related to the Sacrament of Marriage. We also issue regular statements on matters that are under consideration by State leadership. These can be followed on the Web site of the New Jersey Catholic Conference (www.njcathconf.com).

Q. Why is it so very rare to find a Catholic Priest who can give a decent sermon?

A. I do not know that it is very rare to find a Catholic priest who can give a decent sermon, but I am in no position to challenge your own experience. I am certain, however, that there are many priests in the Archdiocese who give outstanding sermons. I do know that in our seminaries, we spend a great deal of time and resources in helping men who will be giving homilies and other talks to prepare them well and to present them well in a way that is helpful for people.

Q. Why do you not get together with Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, concerned black ministers and all of the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey and vigorously campaign for a school voucher system in New Jersey? I see a two-fold benefit to this system-New Jersey will save a lot of money, and some parochial schools that have been closed because of financial difficulties may re-open once again. But the chief reason for such a system is that students in failing schools will benefit the most.

A. First of all, I have met with all the people whom you mentioned, many of them more than once. We are exploring various options because we share your concern that young people get a good start in life and have schools that help them and their families as they prepare for their future. The voucher system is one such option, but it is politically difficult to accomplish. We are exploring, for example, the possibility of a program such as one established in Pennsylvania in which corporations can help create corporate scholarships that will aid students. We also have the Scholarship Fund for Inner City Children, which is not restricted to Catholic young people. And, we share a good number of resources with our own Inner City schools to try to help young people as they prepare for their future.

Q. The teachers in the Catholic schools are a dedicated group of professionals who take a significant lower pay salary than their colleagues in the public schools. On average, a teachers in the Catholic school over a period of 25 years will have sacrificed over a half million dollars. The teachers take on additional jobs or their spouse or partner works. However, once they are retired they suffer financially because of the extremely low pension plan and no health benefits. Is there any thought to giving the retired teachers a cost of living increase in their salary?

A. We are profoundly grateful for the thousands of teachers who dedicate themselves to our Catholic schools. We are very sensitive to the fact that they are not reimbursed at the same level as public school teachers and that they do not have the same benefits. We recently undertook a program to increase teacher benefits over a three to five year period so that there would be more equity involved. Since the Catholic school system receives very little from the state of New Jersey or from other local school systems, we are not able to compete dollar for dollar. But, we are working and we do hope to move in a direction of more equitable reimbursement for our teachers, even as many parishes and the Archdiocese itself have assumed great burdens in trying to accomplish this goal.

Q. The increasing casualness attendant to Mass (dress, lack of genuflection on entering pew, absence of a reverent Sign of the Cross when being seated or kneeling, idle conversation, reading the church bulletin prior to Mass vs. saying a Rosary or reading from a prayer pamphlet prior to Mass) appears to be in contradiction to the environment of sanctuary. What is the church's attitude about mandating these religious practices in God's House, especially if we are to cultivate role models?

A. Our society has increasingly grown more casual, perhaps to the detriment of good manners and deportment. This certainly applies to some parishes and churches. I personally think that people should visit outside the entrance of the church, weather permitting, or in the vestibule as a sign of community and friendship. Many of our new churches provide gathering and social areas and sites. Our pastors have also adapted and renovated older churches to accommodate such activity. At the same time, the church is a house of prayer. I do believe that the traditional devotional practices should be encouraged, and that pastors and parish leadership should encourage people to respect the rights of others who wish to pray in Church.

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