BALTIMORE — Recalling "there were some expressions of
'dissent'" by some U.S. bishops when the bishops met last November over
the Vatican's request that they postpone voting on agenda items related to the
reemergent clergy sexual abuse crisis, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the
Vatican's nuncio to the United States, reminded them that "unity prevails
over conflict."
"Working together provides us with the opportunity to speak
and to listen," said the message from Archbishop Pierre. Bishops, he
added, "must be able to able to speak honestly and without
hesitation."
The archbishop's message was read by Msgr. Walter Erbi, charge
d'affaires at the Vatican's nunciature in Washington, June 11, the first day of
the U.S. bishops' June 11-13 general meeting in Baltimore. Archbishop Pierre
was at the Vatican for a meeting of all nuncios.
"Even in these differences, it is important not to lose
sight of the profound unity that we share," the archbishop's message said.
"The Holy Spirit keeps the church united even amid honest disagreements."
There may be a temptation by bishops whose view is in the
minority to "walk away or isolate ourselves in our own dioceses,"
Archbishop Pierre said, rather than "search for a constructive way
forward."
"Unity can prevail over conflict," he added. "The
Holy Spirit harmonized diverse perspectives. ... The success of the Council of
Jerusalem provides that unity prevails over conflict."
The Council of Jerusalem, conducted in the early church,
determined that new adherents to Christianity need not follow certain Jewish
ritual observances, such as circumcision or dietary practices, in order to be
considered Christian.
Despite the desire among U.S. bishops to act quickly in November
to address new crises on clergy sex abuse, the postponement of the votes on agenda
items allowed the U.S. church to participate more fully at the Vatican's
February summit on the protection of minors, Archbishop Pierre said.
"The experience of your (bishops') conference could be
shared with the others. And the president (Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of
Galveston-Houston) and some other members of your conference were able to learn
from others. ... The whole church was able to take steps to walk
together," Archbishop Pierre said, "and concrete actions could begin
without one group running ahead of the other, and another group lagging too far
behind."
This, Archbishop Pierre said, was in keeping with the concept of
synodality, which Pope Francis has stressed since the beginning of his
pontificate in 2013.
"One of the reasons the Holy Father asked for a delay was
that the whole church needed to walk together, to work in a synodal way,"
Archbishop Pierre said, "with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make the
path forward clearer."
He added, "I too want to offer encouragement. Having just celebrated
Pentecost, we too know the transformative power of the Holy Spirit."
The seven-day retreat in January for all U.S. bishops, led by
Capuchin Franciscan Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal
household, served as a help for bishops feeling pressure from many sides from
the abuse crisis, according to Archbishop Pierre, and reflected "the Holy
Father's deep consideration for the pastoral situation in the United States and
around the world. Many found the retreat grace-filled."