August 1, 2018 – “Catherine Commissions”– The Immediate Role of the Laity Following Disclosures of Abuse and Predation by Formerly-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
Steps to Initiate Contact with your Bishop
Catherine Commission on Formerly-Cardinal McCarrick’s Malfeasance
- Contact information for your bishop is easily found online. Search the name of your diocese, and you will find your bishop’s full name and, often, both an email address and a telephone number.
- Identify a couple of other lay people who would like to pursue forming a Catherine Commission with you. It’s easier to work as a small group which will need to pray together.
- Let your bishop know that you would like him to appoint a Catherine Commission and whether you would like to serve on it. Your bishop may receive multiple requests and inquiries from his laity. Ask his office to put you in touch with other laity who have contacted the bishop.
- Keep the Catherine Commission small enough to be effective, probably no more than 5-7 people. You will want to meet with your bishop as a group. Include persons with a variety of backgrounds, including someone familiar with the2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and its implementation in your diocese. Also, include a lawyer, law enforcement professional or someone experienced in and comfortable with asking direct, even difficult questions of your bishop. Include only people who value and pursue their holiness; and only people with excellent listening skills.
- If you can, find an ordained or consecrated person who will confer and pray with you for grace and spiritual strength.