Why a catholic dialogue?
Dialogue is difficult within a church who`s official voice must be male and ordained. This doesn`t mean that great conversations and dialogues don`t occur outside of curial halls or diocesan chanceries. They do. This blog is my humble attempt at such a dialogue – a catholic dialogue, with a small `c`. The word catholic means universal, or concerning the whole. While this blog may be a dialogue on the Catholic faith (with a big `c`), I hope that the dialogue can be truly catholic with a small `c`. Think of catholic as being an adverb, describing a dialogue where all are welcome, and all voices can be heard!
Who am I?
I am a wife, and mother of five young adults. I live with my husband of thirty years in a small prairie town in Canada. I work for an international lay association within the church. I am ever grateful for the global friendships and ecclesial experiences that this gives me.
Where do I stand?
I have been on both sides of the ideological divide in the Catholic Church. I understand the passion for change, and the zealous defense of tradition. I also know that black and white debates and apologetics deepen divisions more than promote unity. I`m finding more and more truth in the gray area of the respectful `in between`, that sacred space where open dialogue seeks to better understand the other and to search for the common grounds of belief.
Dialogue, not debate
A true catholic dialogue respects the universality of `the whole` that is the Catholic Church. It seeks, like Jesus, to sit at the table with sinners and saints in a spirit of openness and respect. Our media is full of angry diatribes where debates are won by the loudest and most forceful voice. All are welcome to sit at the table of this blog and partake of the conversation, as long as your intentions are to promote a healthy dialogue and not hurtful debate.
May the Spirit of wisdom and peace be our guide!
There is so much in the Catholic church that needs challenging and changing.
But it would be a shame to throw the baby out with the bathwater. So, as the daughter of a very prominent lay Catholic (deceased many years ago), and as someone who lapsed years ago and did not want to bring her children up in a faith that considered ‘everyone else’ to be a non-Catholic – I have a fun project in mind.
The revival of the confession concept – through the latest App. I plan to turn this into an International Speech in April – if it works out that way!
Hi Jenny. This latest App is intriguing…as is your project. Please do keep us posted!
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Hi Isabella – just a note to say that I have nominated you for a blogging award called the Versatile Blogger. I’m not much for these type of things – preferring just to write, as probably you feel as well, but am compelled to not break the rules and do love your blog – always stretches me and makes me think. http://communicatingacrossboundariesblog.com/2012/02/25/versatile-blogging-and-hugs/
Thanks so much, Marilyn! I love the idea of being `versatile`…..sounds so `catholic`, in the true sense of the word!
And major congratulations on your awards also. SO deserved!!!
I very much appreciate your columns in the Prairie Messenger, Isabella.
And I very much appreciate YOUR columns in the PM, Joe! To all our readers, Joe Gunn is the Ottawa-based executive director of Citizens for Public Justice, http://www.cpj.ca, an ecumenical organization that promotes justice, peace and the integrity of creation. His columns give much needed information and insight to current social justice issues, especially with regards to present government policies. Thanks, Joe!
Hello Isabella! I have nominated you for the Food for Thought Award! I hope you’ll participate – I’d love to hear what you have to say! Here’s the link: http://wp.me/p1OXNv-yT
Thanks!