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Theologian: It's time to seize breakthrough moment More than a year after the first stories broke about clergy sexual abuse, the media continue almost-daily coverage of past misdeeds, continuing investigations and the steps dioceses are taking to make amends. But "people are tired of the chronology of one problem after another," according to Rev. Michael Crosby, OFM Cap., a Milwaukee-based theologian, retreat-master and author of 13 books, including ones on celibacy and ecclesiology. He believes that the sexual abuse crisis should instead be seen as a "kairos" moment for the Church -- a point where "God breaks into the Church's 'business as usual' with an occasion of grace." Breakthrough The Greek word "chronos" -- from which the English word "chronology" is derived -- refers to a sequential, calendar-based conception of time; "kairos" signifies a special kind of time, a "breakthrough in history," according to Father Crosby. "Kairos is a moment at which you can say, 'Things are different,'" he said. "The kairos moment changes the direction of the chronology. Ordinary time has become extraordinary." Father Crosby believes the current "kairos moment" provides an opportunity for Catholics to evaluate the roots of the sexual abuse crisis and participate in a renewal of the Church by "returning to the original vision of Jesus." Power issue Father Crosby holds that the sin of pedophilia has revealed a far deeper transgression: abuse of clerical power. "Ultimately, sexual abuse is not so much about sex, but power," he said, noting that pedophile priests used their position in parishes to gain access to and abuse children, while some bishops used their authority to "sustain their position instead of dealing with the sexual problem." Power abuse occurs in the Church when the "power drive is misdirected," he said. When power rests on dominance, manipulation and control, "the results are fear and intimidation, rather than the care which should exemplify authentic pastoral ministry." Laity and clergy Abuse of clerical power occurs in situations where priests are considered more important or significant in the Church than the congregation, the priest noted, adding that dioceses and parishes that make an effort to stress the priest's role as servant are much less susceptible to the abuse of power. "The real presence of Christ is in the assembly, in the priest, in the Word" and in the Eucharist, he explained. "When any of those four takes dominance, you're going to have faulty ecclesiology and pastoral practice." Renewal, said Father Crosby, will occur when Baptism, rather than Holy Orders, becomes the core sacrament of the priesthood. It is his opinion that putting the sacrament of Holy Orders at the center of priestly authority elevates and separates the priest in a permanent way from the laity, a situation that breeds clericalism. Instead, he continued, seeing the priesthood as arising out of the community to serve the community of the baptized, or acknowledging that "within Baptism, you have priesthood," provides a better idea of the Church. All are called As part of the kairos event occurring in the Church, Father Crosby urges Catholics to actively heed their own baptismal call. He advocates that parishioners become "informed," learn "what the Vatican Council calls us to be as Church and become committed to the story." He said that lay Catholics must help their Church "become the Body of Christ, where everyone is a member, and no one can say who is more important or less important." (Father Crosby will speak on "A Kairos Moment for the Catholic Church," April 9, 7 p.m., in the Siena College Serra Dining Hall, Loudonville. His talk is being sponsored by the Albany diocesan Commission on Peace and Justice. For information, call 453-6695.) (4/3/2003) |