VOLUME: 24 ISSUE: 46 DATE:
19950504 SIZE: 30176
Bishop Anthony Pilla
A draft plan of action for the church in the city was
announced March 29 in an address by Bishop Anthony Pilla of Cleveland. He spoke
at St. Vincent Parish in Akron, Ohio. "One year ago I suggested to you that we
are confronted with two challenges. We must recognize and respond to the needs
of the urban poor who have been hurt by the outmigration of the last 40 years;
and we must be engaged in changing the practices that have contributed to the
situation before us." (Two earlier speeches in Pilla's series of speeches on the
church in the city have appeared in Origins. See: "Vision of
Balance for City and Suburb," in Vol. 23, pp. 630ff, the edition dated
Feb. 24, 1994; and "Urban Disparities in Wealth and Opportunity," in the current
volume, pp. 231ff, the edition dated Sept. 8, 1994.) Pilla discussed the draft
plan of action developed by the diocese's Church in the City Task Force, which
has clergy, religious and lay members from the Cleveland, Akron and
Lorain-Elyria metropolitan areas, as well as diocesan support staff. He said the
draft plan is "a working paper that calls for further dialogue and development."
(See the note beginning in the margin of this page for a discussion of the draft
plan.) Discussing what the church can offer to the city, he said: "We have
people -- with skills and a strong commitment to Gospel values. We have
facilities that are neighborhood-based that serve as a hub for grass-roots
initiatives. We serve the poor and disadvantaged on a daily basis through our
hunger centers, shelters and Catholic Charities agencies. As a result we
understand their struggles and acknowledge their potential. And we have staying
power." Pilla's text follows.
This evening's presentation marks the public release of the action plan of my pastoral statement, "The Church in the City." It was one year ago that I released this statement to the people of our diocese.
Tonight we enter the next phase -- a most important phase -- where reflection leads to implementation, where vision moves to action.
I am particularly pleased to be a part of the launching of this action plan at St. Vincent Parish, a church with a rich 158-year tradition, the first Roman Catholic church established in Akron.
Much has happened since I originally issued the call to action to the people of our diocese to join me in developing a plan that could assist in rebuilding our cities. Hundreds of our parishioners have actively participated in the various consultations held this past year.
The wonderful response of our people has been a source of real inspiration to me. It has provided me with many moments of grace. I am particularly grateful to our 24-member task force, chaired by Sister Rita Mary Harwood. Since June 1994, the task force, composed of representatives from Akron, Cleveland and Lorain, has met nine times, for nine lengthy meetings.
Each subgroup has also met about eight times. They have reviewed all the input from parishes and community leaders. In addition, they have discussed the action plan with all the major consultative bodies in the diocese. In preparing this first draft of the implementation plan, they have faithfully and carefully listened to the various sectors of our community. Much of the credit for this document belongs to them.
My sisters and brothers, you remember the challenge. You recall the dream: of cities where the poor and disadvantaged can achieve full human potential, where the weak and the powerless are free from the chains of fear forged by violence and drugs, where children live in decent homes, have sufficient food and are properly educated for meaningful employment.
One year ago I suggested to you that we are confronted with two challenges. We must recognize and respond to the needs of the urban poor who have been hurt by the outmigration of the last 40 years; and we must be engaged in changing the practices that have contributed to the situation before us.
I wish I could report to you that the quality of life has improved dramatically since I first spoke to you about "The Church in the City." For too many people throughout our diocese daily life is a difficult struggle filled with pain, human suffering and hopelessness. Consider the findings of a recent report of the Council on Economic Opportunities:
1) One-fifth of Cuyahoga County's population lives in poverty. The 1994 number of impoverished residents has reached an all-time high of 280,900.
2) For Summit County, 14 percent of the population is poor, representing 74,053 people.
3) The poverty rate for Lorain County is 13.9 percent, representing some 37,640 persons.
As you might expect, greater numbers of poor people live in the city. In Cleveland, 42.2 percent of the population now resides in poverty. The unfortunate reality is that children and minorities are disproportionately represented among the poor in all of our cities.
Another recent report by the Children's Defense Fund is equally alarming. Cuyahoga County ranked 88th, the worst overall rating among Ohio counties, when measuring 10 bench marks necessary for helping families work. Such indicators include child-support collection, Medicaid for the working poor, participation in JOBS, Head Start and scores on the ninth-grade proficiency test.
Summit and Lorain counties ranked 83rd and 71st respectively, when measured against the same indicators.
One of the main causes of the high level of poverty which is so prevalent in northeast Ohio is the sluggish job-creation performance of the economy. According to the Council on Economic Opportunities, between the second quarter of 1990 and the second quarter of 1994, Cuyahoga County lost 26,027 manufacturing jobs while Summit experienced a 2,263 loss, and Lorain gained 1,019. These realities cannot be ignored, especially in the midst of the promise, excitement and glitter of high-profile, downtown projects.
You can see that there is a great sense of urgency for us as we begin the work of building new cities of justice and peace. Undoubtedly, expectations have been raised. People are looking to us for some signs of hope.
There are many skeptics who believe that it is too late for Akron, Cleveland and Lorain. They say that we have reached the point of no return; that our cities are inelastic -- that they cannot stretch; that it is beyond the expertise of church people to change the course. I, and I hope you, do not share this point of view.
I see many positive things going on in our communities. I see many signs of hope. There is a great deal of redevelopment occurring -- beyond the high-visibility projects like Gateway, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, Akron's convention center, Inventure Place or the stadium of the AA Indians.
For instance, city and county support for land banking has resulted in hundreds of new homes of various price ranges being constructed in the city of Cleveland. By the year 2000, 2,000 new homes are expected to be built.
A similar initiative is being planned in Akron. In the past five years, our diocese has partnered with the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, the Cleveland Housing Network and other nonprofit housing development corporations in the development of 720 units of affordable housing in the Cleveland-Akron area.
The LeBlond Corp. of the diocese has opened Ascension Village, an independent living center for our seniors. Interfaith efforts of church-based organizing have re-emerged, providing a powerful voice for grass-roots people to tackle issues of crime, education, economic development and community services. Our Catholic commissions have been leaders in successful anti-violence initiatives. All over the diocese, suburban churches have joined urban churches in Habitat for Humanity projects.
A major cause for optimism is the granting of empowerment-and enterprise-zone status to Cleveland and Akron whereby these cities will receive an infusion of $93 million for economic development and housing initiatives.
This represents a very short list of the numerous cooperative efforts bubbling up around us. There is, however, difficult work ahead -- challenges for government, business, community -- and challenges for our church.
At the very heart of the pastoral statement "The Church in the City" is a call to conversion -- to a greater understanding of what it means to be church in our time. It is essential to remember that as the church we are sent by Jesus to reveal and communicate the love of God to all people. The heart of our response is our commitment to Jesus and his mission.
As Catholic Christian people, we are called to reflect the love and care, the compassion and justice of Jesus in what we say and do, and in what we challenge others to do.
We are also challenged to deepen our solidarity with all people and to recognize the undeniable interdependence among our central cities, suburbs and rural areas.
There is no doubt in my mind that if we are changed, our cities will change. If only we can come to recognize that the racial, cultural and economic diversity that we experience is both a gift and a challenge, then our cities will change. If only we can intensify the work of strengthening families -- two-parent, single-parent, multigenerational and persons living along -- then our cities will change.
If only we can see even more clearly the person in need as our sister or brother in need, then our cities will change. If only we can recognize more fully that wonderful things happen when we truly get to know one another, when we take steps to build community, then violence will lessen and our cities will change.
People all over our nation yearn so much for that kind of change -- social, economic and spiritual. That is why, in part, we find ourselves in the midst of such a historic and massive realignment at the federal and state levels.
I am concerned. Will the changes that are being proposed bring us closer together as a people, provide greater economic opportunity for the poor and middle class, protect our children from hunger and violence, and support family life? These are the things we stand for as church. This is what we bring to the current debate and all the debates that will follow.
This vision of "The Church in the City" is not just a guide to the revitalization of our cities. It does not merely add a moral dimension to political, economic and social decisions that affect city life.
Rather, it is a redefinition of who we are and what we do. We are not separate people but a faith community grounded in the reality of our times. We see ourselves in solidarity with the whole human family. Our diocesan church has a prophetic role. Part of that role means calling for and participating in an extensive collaboration among many different sectors of the wider metropolitan community.
The principles of social justice and preferential love for the poor lead us to action in addressing the injustice and inequality that we find in the lives of people in our society. Of particular concern to us are people who are most vulnerable in our cities, suburbs and rural areas. These actions must overcome poverty, racism, crime, apathy, fear and the pervasive influence of violence in our culture.
For the next six months, I am inviting the people of the diocese to join me in an exciting enterprise. During this period, I encourage you to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to pray and reflect upon what you can do to carry out the vision of "The Church in the City," to be creative, to think anew.
The draft of the action plan you have received tonight is a starting point. It is not a blueprint or the final word. It should be viewed as a working paper that calls for further dialogue and development.
Take it to your parish council, organize a town meeting, talk about it with your neighborhood organization, invite friends to your home, share it at the office, make it an agenda item for your small faith community, discuss it at your social concerns commission meeting.
The practical experience and collective wisdom of our people will only enhance and enrich our action plan. I invite the whole diocese to put their fingerprints on "The Church in the City."
Our starting point is education. We need to take the time to educate our people about the serious issues confronting our central cities. This is extremely important. That is why I am pleased that the task force has made ongoing education a high priority and has recommended a wide range of opportunities to increase people's understanding of the problems and potential of our region.
Among the action steps for ongoing education are small-group discussions on topics such as the moral dimension of choices as to where and how we live; conducting preaching institutes that provide the necessary background to address issues raised in "The Church in the City"; encouragement to faculties to design courses, do research, write and conduct seminars on these topics; urge the various teaching ministries within the diocese and at the parish level to design curricula based on the vision and principles of the document; convene people from various parishes, neighborhoods and community groups in order to come to a better appreciation of the interdependence that exists among city dwellers, suburbanites and persons living in rural areas; create educational materials for use in parish bulletins and newsletters, the Universe Bulletin and the secular media.
The development of people's understanding of the vision of "The Church in the City" is the foundation upon which we will build effective action.
Throughout this process of dialogue, I urge you to keep two perspectives in mind: a family perspective and a multicultural perspective.
As we said in the U.S. bishops' pastoral letter "Putting Children and Families First," "the family is sacred and holy, a 'community of life and love,' which prepares, nourishes and sustains the youngest members of the church in their task of building up the kingdom of God. In social terms, families are the 'first and vital cell of society,' the building block of community."
Family life is foundational to the life of our cities, our society and our church. We need to view the city through the lens of the family in planning activities and in assessing the impact of policies on family life.
In calling for a multicultural perspective, it is important to note that the diocese is home to more than 60 ethnic groups. Such cultural diversity is a strength and a challenge. Let us not forget that racial and ethnic discrimination limit income and economic opportunity for thousands of African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American families.
Our action plan should strive to build bridges and relationships among different cultures. We need to be a powerful voice against the destructive force of discrimination.
Let me turn now to the action plan as it relates to advocacy. The church alone cannot stem the time of urban decline nor can she provide all the basic needs to the most vulnerable and the poor. The church, however, does have a responsibility to provide the critical analysis and advocacy necessary for effecting systemic change that will alleviate the root causes of poverty, crime and the lack of decent housing.
Therefore, the action plan calls for:
1) The establishment of social concerns commissions in all parishes.
2) The convening of forums involving community, business and governmental leaders to address the significant public policies affecting cities.
3)It calls for the creation of a diocesan committee on regional land-use policies to advocate policies that are economically, socially, environmentally and morally responsible.
4)And the strengthening of our diocesan social action commissions as catalysts for leadership, analysis, advocacy and technical assistance. In addition, we recommend the utilization of the diocesan social action leadership institute to develop an even more informed and active laity. I believe the enhancement of our social action institute may be one of the most important recommendations of our action plan.
Urban planners, CEOs and educators agree: You cannot have healthy cities and neighborhoods without quality schools. In the Diocese of Cleveland, our Catholic schools have a tradition of excellence: 93 percent of our students graduate from high school; 87 percent go on to college.
The presence of our schools in the inner city is a sign of hope to thousands of low- to moderate-income families. Our schools provide children the means to break the cycle of poverty and to become productive members of the community. The values taught help to prepare young people to become active participants in the civic, economic and political life of our cities.
We need to continue to strengthen the Catholic elementary and high schools in the city. We need to plan for their future -- to continue to ensure that they have adequate financial resources and highly competent staffs. New models of cooperation, resource sharing and restructuring are also required.
In addition, we are challenged to be proactive in dealing with issues of social, economic and multicultural diversity. Among other things, the action plan calls for the establishment of afterschool centers utilizing church and community facilities; efforts to increase volunteerism that supports school programs and activities; and innovative forms of cooperation between urban and suburban day schools and parish schools of religion.
Finally, we need to work collaboratively with the public school systems throughout the diocese to assure good educational opportunities for all children. All of us lose if we cannot put a stop to the 1 million children who leave school annually for the "mean streets" of America.
I think you will agree with me that too much of what we read, hear and see in the media is bad news -- the sensational murder, the scandal involving a community leader or financial impropriety. That is not the sum total of reality. Yet our children believe it is.
What we need are more stories that celebrate life and give hope. These stories need to be shared and there is an abundance of them in the city. The vast majority of city residents have demonstrated piety and kindness, creativity and service, perseverance and sacrifice in countless ways that better reflect the true life of the city. The day-to-day life and contributions of the people of our urban areas are profound examples of striving to be faithful to the Gospel.
Therefore, our action plan calls for a proactive strategy for developing positive communications in the diocesan and secular media. It also calls for figuring out ways to share the good stories of what is being done by partnerships between suburban and urban parishes, as well as ecumenically and in community.
None of us takes lightly the importance of parishes to the life of the church and the life of the neighborhood. The continued existence of vital parishes amid times of diminishing resources and emerging needs challenges us to create more responsive and flexible structures.
There is much to consider in the recommendations of the task force concerning parish structures. As a diocese, we need to encourage new models for parish partnership: urban-urban, urban-suburban, suburban-suburban, suburban-rural.
In addition, we need to look at models that share staffing between parishes and to consider joint pastoral councils and social concerns commissions, interparish discussion groups and social activities, and pulpit exchanges.
The use of the future staffing project is also recommended. This project can support parishes in assessing parish vitality and viability. It can be helpful in developing new models for staffing, parish ministries and facility use.
Finally, it is of critical importance that parishes collaborate in evangelization efforts and that we learn from the experience within African-American and Hispanic communities.
Earlier in my remarks I spoke about many of the hopeful signs and positive steps being taken to rebuild our cities. Much of this deals with redevelopment. I believe that one of the strengths of our action plan is the section on redevelopment.
For the church, redevelopment means joining with a broad range of partners -- neighborhood, business, labor and government -- to create housing and job opportunities. It means acting as catalysts for community economic development initiative, supporting nonprofit housing development corporations, creating housing trust funds, forming neighborhood-block watch programs, creating safe havens and recreational programs for young people, providing job-training opportunities, forming credit unions, food-buying cooperatives, establishing urban gardens and drug-prevention programs.
The church has a lot to bring to the table concerning redevelopment. We have people -- with skills and strong commitment to Gospel values. We have facilities that are neighborhood-based that serve as a hub for grass-roots initiatives. We serve the poor and disadvantaged on a daily basis through our hunger centers, shelters and Catholic Charities agencies.
As a result, we understand their struggles and acknowledge their potential. And we have staying power. (In just two short years our diocese will celebrate its 150th anniversary.)
We have not abandoned the city. We have what it takes to sustain long-term reform and redevelopment.
As I have said on many occasions, the Catholic Church cannot do this work alone. Our mission and work in the city is paralleled in significant ways by the commitments of other faith traditions. Our common mission as people of faith and our mutual concern for the people of the city challenge us to cooperate rather than compete with each other. Therefore, we are challenged to explore new models for daily ministerial presence and social service delivery, as well as cooperative advocacy efforts and common worship sites.
My sisters and brothers, the action plan I have briefed you on tonight is not just another program. It is an invitation for us to think in new ways and to act in new ways.
I understand, though, that what I have outlined may appear to some as unrealistic and too ambitious. The great challenge of our times is to be instruments of hope, healing and justice in a nation growing more cynical, disillusioned and alienated.
Let us not forget: Our faith is profoundly social. It causes us to be agents for change in our society, to transform our cities.
We cannot call ourselves followers of Jesus unless we take up his mission of bringing "good news to the poor, liberty to captives and sight to the blind." I know that we can make a difference. We not only can do this work. We must do it.
As we quickly approach the great feast celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I wish all of you great joy and happiness. May the power of his resurrection raise our hearts and our spirits, and empower us to renew our cities.
MARGIN NOTES TO THE CHURCH IN THE CITY: IMPLEMENTING A PLAN OF ACTION
The draft plan of action for the church in the city announced in the text by Bishop Anthony Pilla of Cleveland appearing on these pages is a working paper to be used in parish consultations from March to September 1995. In the fall of 1995, the diocese will finalize an implementation plan and announce first-year priorities.
The draft plan was developed by the Cleveland diocese's task force on the church in the city, consisting of clergy, religious and lay members from each of three metropolitan areas: Cleveland, Akron and Lorain-Elyria.
"The vision of 'The Church in the City' is not just a guide to the revitalization of the city nor does it merely add a moral dimension to political, economic and social decisions that affect city life. Rather it is a redefinition of who we are and what we do," the draft plan says. It adds: "We are not a separate people but a faith community grounded in the reality of our times and in our solidarity with the whole human family. Our diocesan church has a prophetic role in calling for and participating in an extensive collaboration among many different sectors of the wider metropolitan community."
The plan says: "The principles of social justice and preferential love for the poor lead us to action in addressing the injustice and inequity that we find in the lives of people in our society, with particular concern for people who are most vulnerable in our cities, suburbs and rural areas. These actions must overcome poverty, racism, crime, apathy, fear and the pervasive influence of violence in our culture.
"Our actions will build upon the many good things already being done within our cities. But we must also face the harsh economic reality of the times and seek to reverse powerful trends of outmigration, unjust social mores and diminishing resources. It means personal and institutional conversion as well as tough, pragmatic, personal and institutional choices," says the plan.
The draft plan says that two key perspectives are needed for implementation of its vision: a family perspective and a multicultural perspective. "We must view the city through the lens of the family in planning activities, assessing their impact upon families and building partnerships with families," it says. Also, "We need to approach implementation activities in ways that build bridges and relationships among our different cultures. If we build a healthy respect and appreciation for the different cultures of our communities, we will renew our cities."
The plan calls for actions that will "increase awareness and concern about the serious issues facing our central cities and the importance of interdependent relationships among people in cities, their suburbs and surrounding rural areas; urban, suburban and rural parishes; different faith traditions; various levels of government, business, social agencies and nonprofit enterprises."
Small-group discussion topics are recommended in the plan on topics such as "the moral dimension of choices on where and how we live; the practice of 'moving up' means 'moving out' and its effect on the neighborhood, community and family life; the impact of outmigration on places left behind; the challenge of our interconnectedness as a people of an area; the challenge in our everyday life to be aware of the presence of God that graces the places where we live."
The plan also recommends preaching institutes "to address the social justice issues of 'The Church in the City' vision and encourage the participation of all who preach." It recommends the creation of educational materials for use in parish bulletins and other forms of communication.
The plan recommends the development of "urban ministry pastoral training experiences for prospective pastors, pastoral leaders and other parish ministers."
The plan also recommends that "the good news of the cities" be told. "Stories which celebrate life and give hope are very real and need to be shared," it says. There is a need, it adds, to "share the stories of the goodness of people and build a positive appreciation for what is being done by urban parishes, partnerships with suburban parishes, ecumenical efforts and other community efforts."
Public policy is a concern of the draft plan. "Critical analysis and advocacy provide the tools to identify the systemic changes needed to alleviate the root causes of poverty, crime, fear, dislocation and decline in parts of our urban centers," it says.
Cooperation and partnerships among parishes are recommended. "Parishes are vital to the life of the church and the life of neighborhoods," says the plan. It adds: "The continued development of effective parishes amid times of diminishing resources and new needs calls us to create more responsive and flexible structures as tools in meeting the challenges of 'The Church in the City."'
The plan recommends the development of "effective models for parish partnerships (between urban, suburban and rural parishes) which recognize the gifts and needs of each community and promote dialogue, understanding and mutual support." Among further recommendations here, the plan recommends that models be included for sharing "the staffing, structures and activities of two or more parish communities."
Among other points, the plan urges the continued development and support of "evangelization efforts which involve the cooperative efforts of parishes and utilize learning from past experiences." The plan recommends the assigning of "pastors and parish administrators who will consistently support models of interparish collaboration that have been established as well as continue to develop new models."
The plan calls for action to address employment issues in the city, to support housing initiatives, to address drug prevention, to utilize the experience and tradition of churches in community- building activities and services such as food and clothing distribution, family activities, youth programs, credit unions, cooperatives for food purchasing, day care and home/car maintenance tools, and health care.
Among other recommendations in the draft plan is one calling for school partnerships. "Both Catholic schools and public schools have essential roles and great potential within our cities," it says. "There remains a great untapped capacity for developing new forms of cooperation between Catholic and public schools," the plan comments. It urges the development of "strategies for strengthening Catholic schools and supporting public schools." The plan also calls for strengthening of "the presence and accessibility of Catholic elementary schools and high schools through the development of new models of cooperation, resource sharing and restructuring."