I haven't added any more articles to the blog recently because I am patiently waiting for the promised response from Ms Catherine Combier-Donovan, Director of the Office of Worship, to the question about tabernacles and their place in or near the sanctuary...
If you wish to contact her personally with your concerns, Ms Combier-Donovan's email address which can easily be found on the Contact Us page at the Office of Worship website is the following: ccombierdonovan@richmonddiocese.org
I look forward to hearing from her soon.
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Ms Combier-Donovan also wrote in her response to our invitation for a dialog:
"I’m sure some of my colleagues would be interested in participating in the kind of dialogue you are proposing, for we see poor communication as one of the biggest stumbling blocks to effective ministry."
I agree with this sentiment, it would be desirable to have many participants in this conversation. She shouldn't be the only person to shoulder the whole effort on the diocesan side.
I agree. I don't think it should fall only on Ms. Combier-Donovan's shoulders to communicate with the laity of the diocese. Are there other diocesan officials in Richmond that should be willing to dialog with and instruct the laity on the reasons for the policies and decisions of the diocese? If so, who?
When I wrote back to Ms Combier-Donovan a few weeks ago, I asked her to encourage members of other diocesan offices to contribute responses. That is why I divided the questions into categories.
I also suggested to her that diocesan pastors and other priests could be notified about the questions/blog. However, if they wanted to respond, they should do so anonymously.
I wonder, though, if we will even get responses to any of the questions. I am aware that it could be risky for officials to respond on a blog. Words have to be carefully crafted because they can be easily misunderstood. It is not like standing in front of someone whose reactions you can see and immediately respond to.
I see your point, Standing Maryanna. Although that would be shameful if diocesan policies and practices were such that they required carefully crafted answers. If diocesan policies and practices are based on Truth, there is no need to fear it. As one of Pope John Paul II's books was titled: "Be not afraid." The Truth should be just that, the Truth. Hopefully, we'll get an honest answer to the inquiries that bloggers have posed to the leadership of this diocese. I believe we will get an answer eventually, unless a higher diocesan power does not want these types of educative discussions taking place.
I realize that we all want to have an honest discussion. But you have to realize too, that I am anonymous as a blogmaster. The diocese has no idea who I am and I don't wish to give away my identity. Anybody could pose as a legitimate blogmaster but actually have every intention to embarress the diocesan leadership. It is hard to trust someone you don't know...
That is one of the reasons for responding with answers that can't be miscontrued.
I want very much for our diocesan leaders to make use of this blog for public discussion. I hope it can happen.
I would also like to see knowledge of this blog become much more widespread. Obviously, I cannot do this myself since I wish to keep my anonimity. Perhaps some of our readers can pass the word along to the CV and elsewhere.
If, for any reason, our questions are not suitable for answers, or if this dialogue is not desired, it's a simple matter to communicate this to us - either in words or by silence. On the other hand, it often takes some time to craft proper answers. After all, we did ask a number of questions.
I suggest we wait a little longer.
Ms.CCD said that she would respond, so I believe she will. As for anonymity, I don't mind people knowing my name, I haven't said or asked anything unreasonable. It would be counterproductive for diocesan officials to stifle dialog by requiring others to reveal themselves. Focusing on the people rather than their valid concerns would be a shameful tactic to avoid engaging in honest dialog with the people of this diocese. Once-a-year parish visits from the Bishop is not enough interaction with the people of this diocese. If they decide to dismiss our questions because they are being addressed on this blog, then where will they address them? Or does the claim of not knowing who has these concerns justify ignoring them? If we were to apply that same logic to the sacrament of Reconciliation, forgiveness of sins wouldn't be possible without knowing who the confessing sinner were. The priests speak to the assembly sometimes without knowing everyone who is present and listening in the sanctuary. I'm going to keep checking back and hopefully one of these times there will be an acknowledgement of these concerns with a charitable answer.
I agree with you Katie one hundred percent.
The owner of this blog should decide when we've waited long enough.
And so we wait and wait and wait. It is now September 22 nd and still no answer! You know what if you need the answers to these questions then take some time and research them yourself. It won't take long to see where the dioceses is obedient to the church and where it fractures and allows innovation in worship which is not in accordance to the rubrics.
So we wait and wait and wait. Can't help but wonder why these questions are not answered yet. Please spare me the excuse, Ms C, is all so very busy. She should never be too busy to answer the concerns of Catholics inquiring about Form and the teachings of the church. After all I believe inquiries such as these fit in her job description.
Nobody really knows what does or does not go on behind the scenes. Maybe the bishop told her not to engage in dialogs with anonymous people. If that is the case, I hope she sends an email to the blogmaster informing us that she cannot address this issue at this time. Personally, I believe she is still working on answering the questions and concerns of the anonymous faithful of this diocese and will post it as soon as she's ready. I hope I'm right.
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