Parishioners to discuss bankruptcy

The frustration lingers. Questions abound.

Almost two years after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane filed for bankruptcy, parishioners throughout Eastern Washington continue to feel powerless.

“People are feeling like we can’t do anything right now,” said Patricia Garvin, 64 and a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Parish on the South Hill. “We are at the mercy of a legal system that just has to grind itself out.”

As diocesan officials, victims of clergy sexual abuse and attorneys work toward some kind of resolution in bankruptcy court, laity in the Spokane Diocese wish to make their voices heard.

On Monday, Garvin and others will take part in “Speaking Our Truth,” a forum for Catholics to share their perspectives on the bankruptcy and the future of the diocese.

“Since all of the baptized will be asked to share the burden of our Church’s problems, all of the baptized have a right and responsibility to express a voice in finding solutions,” wrote members of Call to Action Spokane, the organization sponsoring the event. “Help us develop that voice.”

The two-hour event will be moderated by a trained facilitator, who will guide participants through small group discussions. Organizers will then compile responses and forward them to Bishop William Skylstad.

Many Catholics already have met with fellow parish members to learn more about the bankruptcy. This forum, however, will be one of the first opportunities for parishioners to come together as a diocese, said Marilyn Phalen, a member of Call to Action Spokane.

“Lay people, as a whole, have not been in a position to come forward,” said Phalen, also a member of Sacred Heart.

The discussions will focus not only on the bankruptcy, but also on the church as it emerges from the crisis.

“We can’t go on the way we have been,” said Garvin. “It’s time for Catholics to grow up and be adults and be treated as adults and be able to talk about how our church will go forward from here. … We would like to see more collaboration.”

While some Catholics have left the church as a result of the clergy sexual abuse scandal and the diocese’s decision to file for bankruptcy, many parishioners in this diocese say they are determined to stay and work toward healing.

Some have put their efforts into Call to Action Spokane, a group with a mailing list of about 500 Catholics and a few priests in the diocese.

Inspired by the reforms of Vatican II, these Catholics are part of a national movement that has challenged the church hierarchy on a number of issues, including the role of laity, women’s ordination and priest celibacy.

Monday’s forum is the second in a three-part discussion series. Last month, about 70 people attended a panel discussion on canon law with the Rev. Mark Pautler, canon lawyer, Sacred Heart pastor and the diocese’s chancellor.

“We are trying to be constructive,” said Garvin, one of the CTA board members. “We want dialogue. We want to work with the bishop and priests and the laity.”