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November 23, 2001
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory Bishop, Diocese of Belleville
Dear Bishop Gregory:
Congratulations on your recent election to serve as President of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. I wish you every success during your tenure which, as you know only too well, comes at a time when religious beliefs have moved to center stage in our very troubled world.
The purpose of my letter, Bishop Gregory, is to call to your attention a long-standing condition that has serious implications for our religious beliefs, the Church’s fiscal viability in the 21st century, and the U. S. Conference’s ability to claim the moral high ground on public issues. It’s not my intention to blind-side you, however, so I must advise you on the front end that I have corresponded with at least four of your predecessors on this subject: the protection of Sunday collection funds. What makes my contact with you somewhat unique, however, is the fact that it is my first contact since experiencing a most disheartening exchange with the Holy See.
Enclosed are copies of a transmittal letter and four-page petition that were directed to His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Faith on February 14, 2001. It contains the details of my position, most of which have been called to the attention of your predecessors over the course of the past eleven years. Unfortunately, Cardinal Ratzinger (or his staff) referred my petition to the Congregation for the Clergy who declined to question the U. S. Conference’s thoroughly disproved stance, merely parroting the USCCB position that such matters cannot be handled at the Conference level and are therefore left to local bishops.
At such time as you have had an opportunity to review these documents, Bishop Gregory, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. I know how busy you must be, but I believe this matter, because of its strong moral and fiscal ramifications, warrants your personal attention. At this time, the issue is only known to a handful of my associates and members of the Conference. However, I intend to publicize this glaring example of nonfeasance as widely as possible until such time as the USCCB recants and moves to eliminate this blight on the U. S. Church and its faithful. In that regard, I invite you to visit my newly established website, www.ChurchSecurity.info.
Most sincerely, [M. W. Ryan] Michael W. Ryan |
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