[To learn more about FOSIL, go to fosilonline.com. The Bishop Braxton of Belleville story was reported in the March 27 Vineyard.]

By Lester Himstedt, FOSIL Representative

FOSIL has been hosting Lay Synods for a number of years as a mechanism to inform Catholic adults on issues that impact them and their Church, and provide a public forum to discuss areas of interest and/or concern.  These have included: Rights of Catholics in the Church; clergy sexual abuse; selection of a bishop. More information about previous Lay Synods is available on the website (fosilonline.com), which indicates the format, topics and presenters.

Because of Bishop Braxton’s misuse of restricted funds for other purposes, among other leadership problems, a majority of diocesan clergy have publicly asked that the bishop resign. FOSIL has echoed that request in a letter to Archbishop Sambi and Cardinal Francis George.  There is a serious undercurrent of unrest about financial accountability throughout the diocese, so we think that a Synod on this topic would provide a format for people to better understand and respond to this issue.

We would hope to host this event in late October or early November at some location in the Belleville area.  It should be noted that Bishop Braxton will no longer allow us the use of church facilities, even though Archbishop Gregory had done so previously.  Normally the Synods are held on a Sunday afternoon, lasting 3-4 hours.

We propose that the agenda will consist of an address by an expert spokesperson, followed by a panel discussion, ending with an opportunity for attendees to submit questions to the presenters and panelists, and offer their own comments to the attendees.   

We have worked closely with members of the VOTF St. Louis MO affiliate, and co-sponsored a previous presentation by Fr. Tom Doyle.  We are currently working with them and SNAP in developing a stand-alone Speaker’s Bureau that will hopefully be able to reach out to parishes in the Belleville IL and St. Louis MO (Arch)dioceses with information about the outstanding issues related to sexual clergy abuse, and how to “protect our children.”