Detroit to host opposing conferences by radical group, orthodox Catholics
June 09, 2011
Detroit’s leading newspapers has called attention to conferences organized by two competing Catholic groups, to be held in the metropolitan area this weekend, offering dramatically different visions of the Church’s future.
The Detroit archdiocese has cautioned local Catholics about the conference organized by the American Catholic Council, a dissident group. But the archdiocese has shown some support for the Call to Holiness conference, organized annually by Catholics committed to strengthening orthodox faith and worship.
The American Catholic Council is using its conference this year to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the first Call to Action meeting, which was sponsored by Detroit’s late Cardinal John Dearden and spurred a nationwide movement calling for radical changes in Church teaching.
Archbishop Allen Vigneron has told priests of the Detroit archdiocese that they should not participate in liturgical celebrations at the American Catholic Council conference. The archbishop explained that he has not given permission for the celebration of Mass at that conference, because he feared that grave liturgical abuses could take place. He reminded his priests that some abuses--including "concelebration" by women or by ministers of other faiths--could lead to serious disciplinary action.
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Further information:
- Liberal Catholics pushing changes in the church to gather in Detroit (Detroit Free Press)
- Archdiocese, group square off (Detroit News)
- Detroit's Archbishop Vigneron cautions clergy against joining in dissidents' conference (CWN, 6/6)
- Call to Holiness conference
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