Recently we received a letter from the Papal Nuncio’s office confirming that our petition has been delivered to Pope Benedict. But we all know that changing a 2000-year-old institution is not as simple as circulating a few petitions and holding a few news conferences. It takes consistent action. And while we continue to work towards creating child protection programs in dioceses and parishes, improving laws to ensure prosecution of child sex abusers, establishing parish and diocesan pastoral councils, and seeking financial accountability, we also have on tap some projects aimed at addressing some of what we see as the underlying root causes of the clergy sexual abuse scandal.

To begin examining these root causes, we will:

• Call for an open discussion of the pros and cons of priestly celibacy, which many believe contributed to the culture of secrecy that played a major role in the abuse scandal and causes great concern about the availability of the sacraments for our children and grandchildren.
  
  
• Focus on how the role of women can be enhanced – and whether their absence from certain decision-making roles contributes to problems in the Church.
  
  
• Work with others on efforts to host a truly national Lay Convention in the U.S., highlighting the contributions and gifts the laity bring to the Church.

By the way, if you would like to help our funding for these projects and for the ongoing work on our three goals, your dollars are always welcome: