"A Church at the Crossroads" leaves a misimpression of the lay Catholic group Voice of the Faithful. The writer uses two women as examples. One, a "60-year-old bundle of energy," can be found working on church projects four nights a week and also volunteers at a legal clinic. The other is a leader of Voice of the Faithful.
I can assure you that active parishioners and Voice of the Faithful members are not on opposite poles. Our members are among the most active in our parish. It is because we care deeply about our church that we joined Voice of the Faithful. The bishops at the Second Vatican Council declared that the laity "have the right and even at times a duty to express to the Sacred Pastors [i.e. bishops] their opinions on matters pertaining to the good of the Church."
Yes, we need Catholics like Maria Teresa Martinez. But we also need Catholics who are not only active but have, to quote the title of Father Cozzens’ book, Faith That Dares to Speak.
Fred McGunagle
Westlake, Ohio
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