Of particular interest to us is that the people of the Archdiocese had actually taken our advice and conducted their own election of a replacement bishop.  They then submitted the names of the top vote-getters to the papal nuncio in Washington, D. C. for consideration as their next archbishop.  

We have endorsed this request and strongly urged the nuncio in a letter to accept their recommendation.  It is a great opportunity to finally have a voice in our leadership.  As we have published in this newsletter, there is a long-standing tradition from the earliest days of the church for the election of bishops.  We hope that more dioceses will follow the example of the Minneapolis archdiocese and conduct their own elections.  If this gathers momentum, it will be extremely difficult for the hierarchy to ignore it.  We, the People of God, have a right to a voice in the selection of our leadership.  We need not ask for it but should claim it instead.

This is a critical topic that must be addressed and challenged in the most forceful way possible.  It seems that many of the newly ordained priests desire to push us back into a past of total control by the priests.  We reject that concept utterly and urge all of you to do the same.

Clericalism is heretical and dangerous.  Pope Francis has stated clearly that it should not exist in our church.  More importantly, though, we the People of God must reject it and do everything in our power to stop it.  I hope that as many of you as are able will attend this workshop and show that we do have a voice and we intend to use it.