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Wisconsin parish worker fired for feminist views
Allowed no opportunity for defense nor to face accusers
Mar. 17, 2009
Kolpack receives blessings from parishioners (Photos by James Andrews)
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PDF versionMadison, WI
Ruth Kolpack, pastoral associate since 1995 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Beloit, Wis., was fired earlier this month after a brief meeting with Madison Bishop Robert Morlino.
No specific accusations supporting the dismissal have been publicly made. A news release issued by Kolpack supporters stated that over the past three years, Madison diocese officials received “several accusations” against Kolpack. It added that last January, Fr. Steve Kortendick, pastor of St. Thomas and St. Jude parishes in Beloit, met with Morlino about those accusations. Since then, the release said, Kortendick and the diocesan chancellor, Kevin Phelan, had met in an unsuccessful effort to find a “positive resolution.”
According to the release, the investigation shifted to a thesis Kolpack had written for her master of divinity degree that was granted from St. Francis seminary.
The thesis, written in 2003, evidently stirred little or no interest from church leaders until lately. Kolpack's main theme is on inclusiveness, and what she sees as a patriarchal tone in the church's liturgy, with an implicit exclusion of women from key roles, such as the priesthood.
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'Free God language from captivity' fired parish worker's thesis states
Kolpack letter to her parishioners explaining her dismissal
Bishop Morlino noted for orthodoxy, controversy
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Brent M. King, director of communications of the Diocese of Madison Mar. 17, in response to an NCR query, issued a statement. It said, in part that, "It is out of respect for the dignity and good reputation of every person involved, in this and all personnel matters, that specifics cannot and will not be discussed. You can be assured that the canonical and civil rights of each individual have been upheld absolutely. The Church takes this very seriously. I cannot make statements regarding Ms. Kolpack, as they could injure her good reputation."
The statement went on to say that church personnel "must uphold the faith and morals of the church" ... through what they publicly teach and claim to believe, what they associate themselves with, and by their actions."
Catholics protest firing
Kolpack said that when she met with her bishop she was given no opportunity to defend herself, nor did she have a chance to face or respond to those who had accused her.
When she met with Morlino, he stated that her views on the teachings of Jesus were "off base," according to Kolpack. She also said he informed her that he had not read her thesis in its entirety, only "bits and pieces."
She said that during the meeting he asked her to denounce the thesis, make a profession of faith, and take an oath of loyalty in order to remain as a pastoral associate at the parish.
She said she could profess her faith and take an oath, but could not refute the thesis in good conscience, that to do so would risk her reputation as a scholar.
After Bishop Morlino's announcement, I was given no opportunity to discuss any points in my thesis with which we disagreed, nor any of the original accusations made against me," said Kolpack. "In fact, within 10 minutes from the beginning of our meeting, I was fired."
The following Saturday protests were held outside of a Janesville parish where Morlino was meeting. He spoke with the protesters, but declined to give any details of his reasons for firing Kolpack. All he would say was that the action was a “personnel matter” and that the thesis wasn't the only issue; that a “certain mentality” on Kolpack's part was “troublesome.” He stressed that he respects her good work at St. Thomas and didn’t want to “hurt her good name.”
Asked if there was a chance he'd reconsider Kolpack's firing, the bishop replied, “You never say never, but it would be wrong of me to raise hopes in that regard.”
Kolpack told NCR that one good thing that came out of Saturday's rally in Janesville: Morlino said he would come to Beloit and talk to the St. Thomas parishioners. “But if he cannot divulge any information because it's a personnel matter,” Kolpack asked, “(How) will we ever find out? I don't know."
After communion at Sunday's Mass, Kortendick spoke briefly to the congregation and then allowed Kolpack to speak. Within minutes many were in tears. Some gathered in a prayer huddle to offer their prayers and blessings. She had served the community for over thirty years.
"Parishioners are very devastated,” she told NCR. “Sunday was a very bad time. I had people coming up to me after mass crying, hugging, and expressing concern. The big question is, ‘why was I fired?’ Unfortunately, I can't answer it. People are going to think that if a bishop fires me, then it must be major. But I don't even know why I got fired. I can't tell parishioners why I got fired."
Stephanie King Norton, a parishioner for 42 years, echoed the sentiments of many when she said she was “shocked” by the dismissal.
"Ruth played more than just a role there. She was the foundation of all activity at St. Thomas. Ruth even told me she wanted to retire in about five years, but in reviewing her responsibilities, it became clear that they could never find someone that would take on as much responsibility that Ruth has. I don't know anyone at St. Thomas who would say that Ruth isn't the foundation, even if they don't always agree with her.
"She's been through four priests, and we always knew she would be there. She's the heart and soul behind everything that goes on. Our priest is only 40 percent, so she was responsible for sacramental work as well. People converted and were brought back to the Catholic faith were crying because their friend was dismissed. Five- and six-year-olds were crying because they lost their teacher."
Kolpack became a volunteer catechist at St. Thomas in 1971. She attended workshops and conferences to be certified in religious education. In 1983, she was hired as a part-time youth minister and organized a youth ministry program at St. Thomas. She took training at Loyola University, got a bachelor's degree in 1986 and was hired full-time. She later attended graduate school and earned a master's degree. Kolpack got involved in diocesan educational programs, did training work and had a leading role in establishing the “Hands of Faith” program in which several churches take turns housing homeless families. She also had a part in establishing a Hispanic Ministry for Beloit's three Catholic parishes - St. Thomas, St. Jude and Our Lady of the Assumption.
Kolpack wrote a letter to Morlino in which she wrote, “My ministry is my life's work,” concluding by asking him to reconsider her dismissal.
For Kolpack to meet with the
For Kolpack to meet with the bishop and tell him that she could not make a profession of faith and agree to only teach what the Church teaches...she deserves to be fired. I wouldn't want my child being taught bad 'theology' by a person who can't uphold what the Church is or teaches. I wonder how many vocations have come from that parish since Kolpack has been associated with it....my guess is not many all...if any at all!
Kuddos to the bishop for meeting with this woman and trying to reconcile her to the Church. He was the one here who reached out to her...only to have this offer rejected by this very selfish and ignorant woman.
Again, if you don't like the church...just leave! That's what I did when I was with the Episcopal Church. Don't try to change something because YOU think it's for the better of everyone. That's not the case...especially in this situation.
I have had inclusive language, women priests, and liberal theology shoved down my throat all my life by the same people and I am sick of it! Why can't we just follow the Church for once and stop trying to fight all of these silly, selfish, mindless, battles with it???
Re: 20 something: The article
Re: 20 something: The article states that she refused to renounce her thesis, which the Bishop admitted he hadn't read. It is grossly unfair of you to even suggest that she refused to teach what the Church teaches or refused to profess her faith, unless you were in the meeting between the bishop and her, and thus know something the author of the article doesn't know didn't.
I agree, without knowing what
I agree, without knowing what her thesis was exactly, none of us can really judge her without knowing all of the facts. It looks like she's dedicated much of her life to the Church, so she can't be all that bad.
As I read of the very unjust
As I read of the very unjust and unfair termination of Ms. Kolpack as Pastoral Minister at her parish in Beloit, WI, I thought "Well Rome has struck again." Rev. Roy Bourgeois, M.M. a priest for 36 years has been ordered by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to recant his statements and beliefs that support the ordination of women in our Church, or be excommunicated!! Rev. Bourgeois has been a vocal supporter and activist for the inclusion of women into sacramental ministry. He has also been a vocal activist against the School of the Americas. To those who are unfamiliar with some of the recent history of the Roman Catholic Church, it is our current Pope Benedict, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under whose heavy handed management our Church was kept on the straight and conservative mindset that the whole idea of the inclusion of women in sacramental ministry (read: PRIEST) would not be considered as long as he lived.
So as we continue in our spiritual journey in communion with Jesus Christ, the original Rock of our Church, how do we as lay members of that Church, justify a political structure that turns a deaf ear to voicing our thoughts and feelings about such events as the firing of Ms. Kolpack, and the possible ex-communication of a well loved and regarded priest? Kolpack and Bourgeois were only expressing their opinion of a moral issue within our Church, concerning the ordination of women into sacramental ministry.
People this is a scary turn of events for our Church. This is bordering on Inquisitional behavior by the Church leadership (read: Male Priest, Bishops, Cardinals, and The Pope). If you don't like the party line, don't express your opinion, or out the door you go!!
One more point I would like to make to those reading this. The Rev. John Burke, the Sacramental Moderator at my parish, St. William, in Louisville, KY, is currently assigned to THREE parishes that he is pastorally, and sacramentally responsible for. As the median age of the remaining priests in our church continues to climb, and the number of priests continue to plummet due to age, death, leaving the priesthood, to name just three. How many parishes will Rev. John Burke and others like him, be responsible for?
Break the WORD of God open for me, minister to my soul, teach me of the love of our Triune God, show me how that love was brutally given to us by Jesus Christ's death on the cross. We as the church have a serious need for sacramental ministers, and I, for one, do not care if the person, who feels the call to sacramental ministry, is male or female.
It would seem, though, that
It would seem, though, that she could have at the meeting respectfully explained why her thesis did not say what the bsp thought it said. He sounds like a fairly reasonable man, offering repeatedly to calmly discuss the issue with people, if they would stop yelling for a moment.
However, her refusal to make a profession of faith and recant her other errors, well, that would be grounds in itself for dismissal, even had the thesis not been brought up or existed. To work in a teaching capacity in the Church, presumably one must know and believe what the Church believes (otherwise, why am I attending this seminary?).
Clearly, you're not a local
Clearly, you're not a local Madisonian. :)
No disrespect intended, but Bishop Morlino has a reputation around these parts as someone who is not at all interested in dialoging with the faithful of his diocese. He admitted to not having read the thesis and asked her to recant it, which is extremely unfair (and it would seem to me, a bit unwise to ask people to recant something that you don't have a full working knowledge of). I, too, would probably refuse to denounce a thesis that I spent that much time on and was approved of by a Catholic diocesan seminary, such as the one Ruth attended.
Can people not read? She told
Can people not read? She told the bishop that she COULD make a profession of faith, but could not denounce the content of her thesis. I am amazed at how many people have written that she refused to make a profession of faith when the article says the exact opposite. So much for having ability to read what is actually on the page, when you have decided in advance that the hierarchy of the church is always right!
First, your moniker of
First, your moniker of "Moderate Catholic" would seem unlikely given the comments you express here. You really would accept that a bishop might fire you from a church job that you are well-respected in because of an academic thesis that he hadn't read, and, clearly, doesn't have the intellectual and academic preparation to understand in context? Seriously? My guess is that academic world is also not your background and so you approach academic work with fear and jealousy. That is your issue, but sure shouldn't govern the people of the church. If it is the position of the church that injustice should prevail, then you are there. But I'm not there, and I'm not leaving.
Wow, MS Anabelle! You got me
Wow, MS Anabelle! You got me all figured out...don't you?
I love it how some of the folks on here just LOVE to generalize young, conservatives/moderates as 'uneducated' or somehow fearful of the academic world! Talking about spin! It's actually quite funny and very routine of you all to patronize young Catholics like me! Thanks!
For your information...I am working on a master's in theology from a pretty well known MODERATE Catholic university. My specialty is sacramental theology, a field which you probably don't have a strong background in based on your protestant-inspired belief system.
I'll say this before and I'll say it again...if you don't like the Catholic Church...JUST LEAVE! That's why I left the Episcopal Church. Not everyone is called to be Catholic. If you can't be in communion with Rome...then you are just wasting your time...and mine! :-)
I love these sanctamonious
I love these sanctamonious converts to Catholicism. All of a sudden they embody the true faith. Do your studies really support your 'love it, or leave it' philosophy. We seem to forget that this church is Jesus Christ, not Rome and that there is a very long history of the Holy Spirit working through the faithful, despite the protestations of the hierarchy, or the defenders of the faith. How sad that you will probably be in a pastoral role spreading your triumphalistic idolotrous version of faith. I weep for those who are leading the church along the path of spiritual death. If you want that so bad, go ahead - it's yours.
Not everyone is called to be
Not everyone is called to be Catholic. If you can't be in communion with Rome...then you are just wasting your time...and mine!
I was with you up to this point. God desires that all men and women be saved, and salvation is only through the Catholic Church. Instead of telling people to leave the Church if they don't like it, we should instead pray and implore them to humbly submit to infallible teachings of the Catholic Church. Pray that the light of Faith will allow them to see and reject their errors so that together we will all be able to worship God in heaven for eternity!
Speaking of errors: Salvation
Speaking of errors:
Salvation is through Christ, not "ONLY through the catholic church".
You mean that you have to be
You mean that you have to be Catholic to be saved? How arrogant of you. I believe god loves everyone in the world, after all, He made them. Why do you spill such venom on the public, it only makes you sound very narrow minded. I think that we will find many people in heaven that you so arrogantly look down upon, and those people may be filled with much more charity than you.
One of the frequent errors
One of the frequent errors expressed on this page is the idea that the Church is just one way to Salvation--the heresy of Syncrtism and religious indiffrentism. It would do us all well to remember that if we want to argue as Catholics we must remember that the Church is Christ's Body and only through it can we be saved. This is De Fide!
According to Ss. Cyprian and Augustine and many of the Church Fathers, Extra Ecclesia Nulla Salus--Outside the Church there is no Salvation! This dogma, supported by the fact that Jesus himself says "unless you eat my Body and drink my Blood you shall not have life within you," and that you can only eat his Body and Drink his blood within the Church, has been the perenial teaching of the Church. Although misinterpreted by Fr. Feeney and his followers before the Second Vatican council to mean that God can't save people through the Church who are not in visible union with the Church, the Council affirms this Dogma in the 3rd paragraph of Unitatis Redintegratio, noting that while it is true that outside the Church there is no salvation, God is not limited by the PHYSICAL bounds of the Church. This is quite similar to Augustine's idea that even with in the visible Church we are never quite sure who is in the City of God. The reality that is the Church is both worldly and heavenly--and the latter is the more real manifestation of it and the form it will take when ultimately consumated at the end of time. Thus, the SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL actually says: it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help towards salvation. This recently has been reiterated by Joseph Ratzinger and the CDF in its 2000 document Dominus Jesu (see references below).
I am not interested in pseudo-intellectual debates on this point, this is well established Catholic doctrine going back to the foundations of the Church in Christ. One would do well to remember this spiritual reality before engaging in diatribes against the successors of the Apostles and before establishing personal magisteria based on the political and emotional intuitions of the modern (contemporary) age.
Dominus Jesu--it must be firmly believed that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism (cf. Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through baptism as through a door.
Unitatis Redintegratio, 3--For it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help towards salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained. It was to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, that we believe that our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one body of Christ into which all those must be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God…
Are you saying that God is
Are you saying that God is condemning 5.9+ Billion souls because they are not members of the catholic church?
Are you saying because they are members of the RCC, that those who practice without repentance or remorse the most horrific of sinful behaviors, and do it in the name of god, will have salvation, simply because they are members of the RCC?
Are you really saying that the ONLY way to salvation is through membership in the catholic church?
And, pray tell, WHY would I
And, pray tell, WHY would I leave? Baptized I am, and that IS the calling. It's indelible, lasting until the ends of time!
From your account, apparently you are the church-hopper, not me, and my guess is that you will be disappointed in the catholic church because you cannot control who you pray beside in this here church. what was that scripture?--wheat and chaff and God alone to sort...The good part is that you can church-hop within this church and find that little corner where, hopefully, your faith, love, and hope can grow. But you have no authority over me and I none over you. And my academic background in theology gives me plenty of background to discuss the issue.
But, seriously, what might you do in the future? Have you thought this through? You write your thesis and go work for the church for thirty years, without any notice of your thesis. You become well-respected, and, in fact, hold a parish together as priests come and go, and that is known and expected, and you are beloved for it. Someone complains, maybe by saying, 'she should have a "Ms." in front of her name the way she thinks and acts like she runs the place' and the bishop hops around looking for some reason to dump her and finds ye ole masters' thesis. Doesn't actually read it--which any decent scholar would find appalling--but instead picks up a paragraph or page here and there to build his case and fires her. She gets no right or time to review what is written to discuss, or to defend. End of story. You would say nothing to no one suggesting some violation of something?
The church changes its teachings and its way of arguing teachings and its priorities, and you should pray that you not get stuck in "interesting times" then. Because it could be you some day. And, should you recant academic work simply because you are told to? wow. Now there is an academic to be proud of, yes? The fear of some of those in the church to talk to its women is almost funny to watch. What are they afraid of? Female thoughts? Ah...
So where is the mercy,
So where is the mercy, justice, compassion and forgiveness that the Church and the gospel talk about? So much for the pastoral, in "pastoral associate". pastoral minister, whatever. According to the information, which is minimal, she was not given an opportunity to defend, or even discover the accusation. She was told to recant, make a profession of faith and an oath of loyalty, what exactly does that entail, and why would you do that when you don't know what the source of the problem is?
So if you are not comfortable with change, and when something happens you don't like you're going to leave, then, I"m sure you'll be happy. But, the church HAS changed over the years and will continue to change, just because the "good ole boys club" is still in control and doesn't want change, doesn't mean the Spirit isn't speaking to you and that change won't happen.
The days of listenting to the clergy, just because they are the clergy are over. They can't continue to rest on their laurels anymore, show some compassion and mercy. The churches in different dioceses are paying a lot of money for settlements caused by scandals that stemmed from the old directive: "listen to father, he's always right". Clerics are Human, and just because you are ordained, does not mean you are a man of God.
You asked "where is the
You asked "where is the mercy?" Sadly, mercy to Morlino, Burke, Chaput, Naumann etal is a concept reserved for those they approve of and only for those they approve of, and ONLY for men.
I, too, received a Master's
I, too, received a Master's Degree- in Religious Education. As one compelled to serve by the love of God for His people, I can not ever imagine recommending to someone that if they don't like the Church they should leave. It would never enter my thinking as a Master Degree recipient working in the Church. Please remember that WE- all of us- ARE the Church. Never once in all my training did I believe that if one did not blindly submit to every perspective of every teaching that a person ought to not be welcome. Do you remember learning that God is the same but people's understanding does change over time? If it did not, we would declare ourselves God. Thus, we are going to change and grow in our thinking. It is conceivable that others may have a prophetic voice to offer in the Body of Christ. Your anger and words of threat to another member of the Body truly scare me. As I reflect and pray about this, I truly wonder what your motives are for obtaining a Master's Degree in Sacramental Theoleogy. I hope the degree leads you to regard the People of God with as much dignity and respect as Jesus did to all those whom he encountered.
"...clearly, doesn't have the
"...clearly, doesn't have the intellectual and academic preparation to understand in context?"
I'm not sure what preparation we're talking about needing here. Beyond his seminary education, Morlino has a BA in Philosophy from Fordham University, and MA in Philosophy from Notre Dame, Master of Divinity from Weston School of Theology, and a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Greg in Rome. That ought to be sufficient to evaluate an MA Divinity thesis, if indeed he did evaluate it.
The difficulty is that she was not in an academic position, but a pastoral one - academic freedom isn't implicated. Her job is to convey the teaching of the Church, not engage in speculative theology. She does have canonical rights, like any Catholic, and one hopes they were respected in this process.
If you read the piece above
If you read the piece above which this conversation is based on (and assuming it's reporting things as they happened), the bishop in question admitted he hadn't read her work, just pieces...
That isn't scholarly, no matter how many degrees he was granted. Period.
The Church also tried to
The Church also tried to reconcile Joan of Arc to the church and burned her at the stake because she would not recant. She stuck with her conscience and was later canonized. So it appears the Church can sometimes be wrong, but also can grow in understanding. Perhaps we should not be too quick to judge as to who should and who should not be in the Church. "Judgment is mine, says the Lord." It is my hope that we can learn to live together in the Church with love and kindness rather than heaping verbal abuse on each other.
I hear your pain and frustration, however, and pray that the God of peace will be with you and bless you.
Dear Susi, Joan of Arc was
Dear Susi,
Joan of Arc was not burned/condemned by the Church (Rome). She was burned/condemned by the English and their French supporters.
You have to remember the context of history before you make an incorrect claim about it. Trying to tarnish the Church by claiming incorrect historical observations will get you no where.
Any historian will tell you this.
Dear Moderate, Joan of Arc
Dear Moderate, Joan of Arc was condemned by the Inquisition and turned over to secular authorities for execution. Rome, for political reasons, did not intervene. I forgive you though, you are studying Sacramental Theology not Church History.
Ummm, St. Joan of Arc was
Ummm, St. Joan of Arc was condemned by an church tribunal, yes. But the tribunal was composed of clerics who were creatures of the English and Burgundians. Rome acted cowardly in not intervening, but to say St. Joan was condemned by the "Inquisition" is misleading. Rome's influence over local hierarchies in the high middle ages--indeed, throughout the entire pre-modern era--was much less than it is today. Those were the good ol' days, right?
The Inquisition had no
The Inquisition had no authority at this time in history to sentence anyone to death -- that is one of the major reasons why her conviction was later overturned. In other words the inquisitors (most of whom later supported an anti-pope) violated so many rules in convicting her including taking her outside the area that had authority over her (you see that was under French control) and DENYING her the right to appeal to Rome. Don't pin St. Joan on Rome.
Wow! From your tone, you are
Wow! From your tone, you are not one to engage in any sort of conversation or display respect for a Catholic with another point of view; rather, you have all the answers. How lucky you are to have the truth.
Please try to walk a mile in
Please try to walk a mile in the mocassins of this person. If your life's work and ministry were in jeopardy would you be ready to let it go without even an explanation? I think not!
The church is not infallible
The church is not infallible in all its movements, decrees and thoughts. Is it OK for Bishops to cover up sexual abuse, re-assign priests who have abused, but fire someone who has the best interests of parishioners at heart? Come on. This is not about liberalism or conservatism. It's about plain old human decency. Priests get numerous chances to continue even when they have committed crimes. Women get shafted immediately. For example: the first impulse was to excommunicate the doctors who performed an abortion on a 9 year old girl who was raped by her stepfather. Her body was not developed to the point that she could carry or bear a child. Where is our sense of compassion?
Wow--"moderate Catholic
Wow--"moderate Catholic 20-something"-- do you really think no one in Ruth's parish has gotten MARRIED since she has been associated with St. Thomas??? You have a very narrow sense of VOCATION!! Having something "shoved down your throat ALL YOUR LIFE" when you are 20 something really made me laugh! Last I checked "the Church" was all of us, not just Bishop Morlino. So, former ECUSA-member, get used to the fractious, pluralistic U.S. Roman Catholic church. This is not a "cult" or a "sect." What we could really do with is a little more acceptance of DIVERSITY instead of narrow minded, single-issue bishops who are so totally insensitive and out of touch.
Amen to your comments about
Amen to your comments about the vocation of marriage. The hierarchy likes to tout it as such with words, but then shoves it off to the side whenever we're supposed to pray for vocations. What a bunch of hypocrites.
It's a little disingenuous, though, for everyone to say they don't know why she was fired. It's pretty obvious - the hierarchy's 'manhood' has been threatened. And that just can't be allowed to continue.
Bit by bit, little by little, those who dissent in any sort of way for any sort of reason are being removed. The nice, neat, small little church that Benedict wants will soon be realized. But it won't be the REAL church.
The REAL church, the all are welcome church, the church of the people of God, will be outside the golden gates of Rome. And we shall carry on the gospel message, just like the apostles, because the guys in Rome have certainly declared it null and void.
History repeats itself.
This is a real problem when
This is a real problem when Bishops with skimpy theological resumes ask a Catholic graduate to renounce a thesis defended in a Catholic Institution in front of several tenured theologians with strong resumes. This is a problem of catechesis verses true theology and is tearing our Catholic institutions a part. It is a symptom of very poor Episcopal leadership that would ruin this woman's carrier. We Catholics need Episcopal reform as we are loosing so many good people to the megalomania of the Bishops.
Peace and understanding,
R. Dennis Porch, MD
"Moderate 20-something" is on
"Moderate 20-something" is on to something, but it might have been said with a bit more tact. As might those who claim wisdom simply through longevity. Not all 20-somethings (I'm one of them) disagree with this bishop. If a thesis, which becomes a public document, does not agree with church teachings, especially from a Catholic University, then it has problems. The university must have problems too if it didn't see this coming. And I know exactly how theses work, since I'm close to finishing a doctorate in church history.
The problem with this article is its human-centred focus. It states that Ruth was the "foundation" of the parish and seen four priests come and go. While her work, outlined at the end of the article, deserves everyone's praise, several people seem to have lost the plot. Jesus Christ should be the foundation of every parish, no matter how long someone has been there.
To Moderate Catholic
To Moderate Catholic 20-something -
Kolpack was asked to denounce her 6 year old thesis, which she could not do in good conscience. We don't know that she refused to make a profession of faith or teach only what the Church teaches. How do you know that she has ever taught "bad theology"?
The Bishop says it's a personnel issue, but doesn't tell the person involved what her transgression is that led to her firing? That makes me suspicious at once. Was it really all about the thesis or was there something else at work? Evidently there are many in her parish who appreciated her work, to the point that she was directly responsible for conversions and the return of some fallen away Catholics to the Church. That's not what I'd expect from someone acting in opposition to Church teaching. Something smells here.
And, going back to your comment about "bad theology," I suspect you wouldn't recognize scholarly work critiquing the very basis of the beliefs so many cherish, whether about the Bible, Christianity, or the Church unless it meshed with your view of what the Church is and your understanding of its teachings. You do realize that for some Church members, much older than you, Vatican II (which gave us Mass in the vernacular and opened the door to theological study by the laity) was forced down their throats. In their view, the Church strayed from its roots then. If you haven't already done so, perhaps you would like to join up with them. I am sure they would appreciate your support.
Why not give your name? If
Why not give your name? If you believe so strongly that you are in the right, why would you want to remain anonymous?
I must first respond to your statement: "if you don't like the church...just leave!" This attitude shows a serious misunderstanding of what "the church" is, a reflection of the kind of "theology" that has been shoved down may a throat in order to silence other ideas. Unfortunately, it has not only closed throats, but also hearts and minds, which must be open to the Spirit in order for our Church to thrive. The "Church" is the People of God, not only the bishops; the Holy Spirit speaks through all of us.
I cannot leave my family because some of the members abuse their authority and do things that are harmful to members of our family. Instead, I am obliged to do as Jesus did - to speak the truth of the Gospel to those in power who retain control by urging people to "just follow ... and stop trying to fight" and by defining challenging voices as "silly, selfish, mindless" and even heretical.
The Church has ALWAYS taught that the ultimate guide should be my own conscience; I AM and WILL ALWAYS follow that conscience, formed in light of diligent study, consultation in fellowship,open-hearted prayer, and compassion.
Paula Dodd Aiello, California
Dear Paula, I do not want to
Dear Paula,
I do not want to give my name on here for reasons like this:
http://valleywag.gawker.com/5149276/map-of-anti+gay-donors-created-by-bi...
I know how some folks on the far left just LOVE to make life hell for people like me in the center-right by doing incredibly cruel things using information like their names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.
Also, what difference does it make if I do or don't give my name on here? Should my voice not be heard because of it? (how inclusive of you! *sarcasm*) There are many posters on here who are also 'anonymous' that support your views and you do not attack them?? Double standard, eh?
Do you really beleive the far
Do you really beleive the far right is any different in that regard? I have enough experience on the web to know that anyone who voices disagreement with whatever is considered mainstream and acceptable is going to be a potential target for bad acts by others. The only way to dodge those bullets is to step away from posting in places where vigorous discussions take place.
I never suggested that your
I never suggested that your voice should not be heard. I heard and responded. I did not "attack" you.
I also disagree with those who support MY views and remain anonymous. I have no double standard. I urge everyone to speak out courageously and stand up for what we believe.
I have written many letters about this topic in many papers and many venues and I will sign each one.
Paula Dodd Aiello, California
Oh yes, "20 something," and
Oh yes, "20 something," and all those sex abuse victims should "just get over it" shouldn't they?
Because as Benedict XVI said
Because as Benedict XVI said today in the Cameroon
"In the face of suffering or violence, poverty or hunger, corruption or abuse of power, a Christian can never be silent."
What is a moderate Catholic
What is a moderate Catholic 20 something. Whatever.
The statement, why can't we follow the Church for once and stop trying to fight all of these silly, selfish, mindless, battles with it. Does moderate Catholic 20 something know what the heck has been going on within the Catholic Church for the past 50 or more years? Kolpack, you got sand bagged. You were dealing with one of the hundred and eighty or so, bishops that do not have to give any reason for any action they take. They do not have to explain to you or anyone else. They rule, you accept. if you don't like it, find another church. You see, as long as they contol all the money and because of Canon Laws, own all the churches and everything else in their diocesan kingdom, and you are not a sheep that follows without question, so you don't belong to your Church, OOPS, the bishops Church. If I were you, I would not leave your diocese. That is what the bishop would love and his die hard stupid blind followers. It doesn't matter that the bishops have cost the Catholic Churches over 2 hundred and 60 billion dollars and allowed thousands of pedophile priests to go Scott free as a bird and are not made to register as sex offenders. Stay and face him for communion every Sunday. You will be a thorn in his side but to leave your Church, and it is your Church, not the bishops Church. He could be promoted to somewhwere else if he demonstrates how faithfull he is to his brother bishops. If there is a slight possibility that you can find a lawyer that will review your circumstances, maybe you can sue the bishop for letting you go without justification. Hang in there.
Correction to my comments of
Correction to my comments of 3/17/09. The bisops have cost the catholic Church 2 billion, six hundred thousand and may I add, that figure will continue to grow. Dominic tomasso
There is a battle, but it
There is a battle, but it does not seem you are on the right side of things from your comment. Your question, "Why can't we just follow the Church for once and stop trying to fight all of these silly, selfish, mindless, battles with it?"
First of all, the issues are ones that have been skirted for years and people are not being heard, but they are being judged, fired, threatened with excommunication.
Do you think it is fair or just, if you had written something and were fired over it, but the one who fired you never even read the entire thesis and won't even discuss the reasons for firing? Do you think that is a Catholic way to approach justice towards someone who worked in the Church for most of her adult life? Don't you think it is worth it to fight for what you believe in is justice, righteousness, goodness, the truth? Do any of these things mean anything to you?
Is that how Catholics are to behave towards our fellow man or woman? Is that how you would want to be treated?
On K's own account, she
On K's own account, she believes in the ordination of women to the priesthood. But the magisterium has stated with authority that this belief is contrary to Church teaching on the priesthood. Final decision. No negotiations. It's obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence that this is so. Even that hero of liberal catholics, Fr Hans Kung, no friend of the Vatican hierarchy, has stated that if anything is infallible it's the rule against women priests. To Fr Kung, the impossibility of ordaining women to the priesthood is now - according to the Church's understanding of infallibility - an "irrevocable" and "infallible" doctrine demanding "final assent" from all Catholics. Rome, he says, has acted according to the system (of infallible declarations),"no matter how much Catholic theologians may wriggle and interptreters of dogma twist and turn". (Suddeutsche Zeitung 2/3.12.95). Kung gets it. (Liberals go all gooey when you mention Hans Kung, but watch the blood drain from their face when you quote him on this.)
Cut the rubbish about Morlino not reading her vaunted thesis. It's a bluff. Why should his Lordship waste his valuable time looking at even a single page of Ms K's thesis? Unless she's recanted (which she hasn't) she deserves the flick. And if any confirmation were needed, the fact she won't swear the Oath is a dead giveaway. Enough! If she's a Catholic, then I'm not. If she were running my parish, I'd blow up about it. And if the priest/bishop insisted on having her, I'd leave and write to Rome. Knave or fool, she's in error. Kudos to Bishop Morlino. & prayers for K's wretched soul.
There was supposed to be no
There was supposed to be no more discussion about the ordination of women. Period. (the Great OZ has spoken) However, it was never stated that there was evidence going against ordaining women. It was simply that there was no evidence proving that the Church has authority to ordain women, as if it has to be assumed that such evidence is necessary.
"I wouldn't want my child
"I wouldn't want my child being taught bad 'theology' by a person who can't uphold what the Church is or teaches."
What evidence do you have that she was teaching bad 'theology" of does not
uphold what the Church teaches?
When the bishop doesn't say, then she doesn't know, and neither can you.
Yes, I agree. Why can't the
Yes, I agree. Why can't the Bishop's follow Christ for once? Do a little history on the early church. Women were in all, I repeat, all areas of church leadership. Somehow I don't remember "if you don't like the church...just leave" being part of the Gospels or Epistles. Your response speaks volumes about you instead of our catholic / universal faith in Jesus Christ. Maybe some reading of how the early church dealt with the issue of circumcision might help all involved? We seem to have gotten past the notion that the Spirit could work through Gentiles. Is it so impossible to believe God can work through 1/2 the world's population which Genesis states were created in God's image? St. Augustine has stated the primacy of a well-formed conscience. Isn't it funny how we have forgotten that in the midst of disagreement? Maybe you are being challenged to open your mind and heart to the vastness of God and it's you who is refusing to allow the Spirit which guides the church to lead you. Ah, but that isn't "politically correct" in church leadership these days. Instead of being faithful that open discussion can lead us to the truth, we excommunicate and silence those we disagree with. But then, it also helps to remember that some of our greatest Saints were considered heretics by their contemporaries. I would suggest your reconsider your idea of being a "moderate". The true moderates I know cringed at your reply.
Your comments are idiotic.
Your comments are idiotic. This faithful Catholic woman agreed to take the oath and make the profession of faith--why do you say here that she refused to do this? It simply is not true. Her dissertation was a scholarly work which was submitted and accepted, I might add, by St. Francis Seminary which led to her Master's degree. I wonder, do you have a Master's degree in theology? I do have a Master's degree in theology, and by all accounts Ruth was completely faithful to Church teaching in her work at St. Thomas. Do you know anything about Church History? Apparently not, because if you did you would know that this is just like the Inquisition when people were accused of heresy and were not allowed to face their accusers. Grow up and think for yourself.
How do you know it's bad
How do you know it's bad theology? Did you read it? The bishop didn't!
Are you following the Church
Are you following the Church or are you following Jesus? Jesus even got angry with the money-changers as we read in last Sunday's Gospel. Do you think that Jesus was liberal? I do. Jesus' theology, if you will, was radical! I give kudos to these fine people who "fight all of these silly, selfish, mindless battles .." Jesus did just that with the Pharisees! Take some time to read the Scriptures this Lent!
How sad to read your comment,
How sad to read your comment, moderate Catholic. You talk about the 'church', about 'laws', about 'obedience', about 'follow the Church', and then you characterize this woman as 'selfish' and 'ignorant'. Yes, how sad...
No mention of Jesus and His compassion and understanding, like His way of dealing with the adulterous woman for example.
You sound like you've given your life to the institutional church and not to Jesus and to God who is LOVE and nothing else says John in his letters.
George
Tell me, how can tiny little
Tell me, how can tiny little Ruth Kolpack, all of 5 feet tall and less than 100 pounds with a heart of gold and a soft spoken voice possibly do harm to the Catholic Church. Bishop Morlino comes off as a big thoughtless, powerpushing bully...but it's not the first time. He has a history of that in this diocese from day 1 of his "reign". It's time for him to be "promoted" to Rome where he does less damage.
Why can't we just follow the
Why can't we just follow the Church for once? I think the sex abuse disaster that has sickened the Church is a good example of why we should continue to challenge "the church" and its policies. I think that in light of the handling of the sexual abuse by our leaders that the days of "pray, pay and obey" are, or should be, behind us. We are called to study, to discuss, to challenge each other as we grow in faith and trust in our loving God.
Ruth does not teach her
Ruth does not teach her "Thesis ideas" in the church. I have been an Catechist at this church for 12 years. All of her teachings are boiler plate Catholic published teachings. She never pushes her own views on anyone in the church. They are all scripture based. In fact I disagree with a lot of her personal ideas, but I am open to discussion about them. I consider myself a Conservative Catholic and probably line up with the Bishop on basic Catholic ideas more than with Ruth. The problem is that she was fired for personal views that she does not espouse in the Church. She was given a Masters from a Seminary for this Thesis - now the Bishop says he doesn't like this Seminary. These articles are showing her as an activist pushing "crazy" ideas on Parishoners. This is just not true. She is one of the sweetest ladies I know and has done more to bring the Holy Spirit to the Beloit area than anyone I know.
This is not a communist
This is not a communist country and freedom of speech and especially personal beliefs are a God given right. It you don't like differing opinions I suggest you read the gospels where Jesus empowered women, accepted all people regardless of personal beliefs, and asked us to do the same. Love God and your neighbor as yourself are the two most important commandments. Stop using the Pope and the Church as excuses to spread hate.
It appears that Bishop Robert
It appears that Bishop Robert Morlino is the one whose reputation will suffer. But like too many others he probably doesn’t care what his people think since he has the power.
This bishop and parish priest
This bishop and parish priest should both with striken and smitten for the love of God and his People that they dispise and oppress!
http://yvonrobertthivierge.blogspot.com/
Dear Editor, Are you serious?
Dear Editor, Are you serious? Look at the sad unemployment figures across the world and tell me that this is the unemployment story that you want to showcase? Please be realistic. Grace and peace with prayers always...
I agree that we should try to
I agree that we should try to be realistic. The reality is that this woman served the Church for many years. The reality is that a Churchman saw to it to have her fired with no compassion whatsoever. He never even read her thesis. It is ruthless and reckless judgment to get rid of her because she may have a different opinion.
This is a Catholic publication, so reporting about what is going on in the Church is of concern to all Catholics, especially the stories that are about injustice in our Church officials and their interpretation of reality and lapses in compassion and lack of being Christ-like. Seems the trend, if you've been following the Catholic Church's unemployment statistics, is to get rid of people if they don't share a fundamentalist point of view, as well, there seem to be a lot of women that they are picking on.
If the Church keeps this up, there will be no Catholic Church, just empty buildings with empty pews.
Thank you Editor of the National Catholic Reporter for reporting this case of blatant injustice and total lack of humility on the part of the Bishop.
Firing is a convenient ruse
Firing is a convenient ruse to get rid of someone about ready to retire. Talk about justice, oh church!
Anonymous right wing nuts
Anonymous right wing nuts strike again. I bet most of the complaints on Kolpack were anonymous just like too many of the posts on this site are anonymous.
What does it say about bishops when even Muslim fundamentalist exremeists won't honor anonymous charges.
What a sad, sad story.
What a sad, sad story.
Well, there is an easy
Well, there is an easy solution, is'nt there? Ruth Kolpack has to withdraw whatever is against the teaching of the Church in her thesis, make a profession of faith and take an oath of loyalty. Sounds pretty normal for a good Catholic. But if she refuses to do so because it would damage her "reputation as a scholar and academician", her pride prevents her from obeying the magisterium, which makes her unfit for any position in the Church, however much good work she may have done and however much people may appreciate her. She lacks humility.
No, my friend, there is NOT
No, my friend, there is NOT an "easy solution," particularly the one you are suggesting. If capitulating to a local superior because he disagrees with what she wrote in an academic thesis is your idea of an easy solution for Ms. Kolpack, perhaps you've never written one. Perhaps you have no grasp of the ongoing goals this serious student may have to continue an academic degree program and possibly pursue a Ph.D. in her chosen field of study. As another person commented, the Church is NOT infallible and in fact has been dead wrong far too often. Serious harm has resulted from that wrongheadedness, including harm to the Church herself. I believe Ms. Kolpack is absolutely right to maintain her personal integrity and stand by her thesis. A thesis is NOT a popularity contest. It is an intellectual and academic inquiry and examination of a particular subject. It is anti-intellectualism in its many forms that gets belief systems, including Catholicsm, into trouble. The ironic thing in this situation is that a wise superior could have choosen to see their differences as an opportunity for dialogue with this very thoughtful member of his church family. Instead, it appears he acted far too hastily and unnecessarily harshly, as if the ideas within Ms. Kolpack's thesis presented some kind of imminent danger. In my view, it is in fact this oppresive and suppresive behavior itself which is the greatest danger to our Catholic faith. Unless we can learn to resist ancient tendencies to value authoritianism over authenticity, and fundamentalism over freedom of inquiry, we may well hasten the demise of our own beloved Church.
Sincerely,
Lydia Cypher
Phoenix, Arizona
What the heck is an oath of
What the heck is an oath of loyalty? She is not a religious sister ...As usual the bishop won't say why she was fired because he wants to protect her. Give me a break. He is only protecting himself as he probably has no reason to fire her but he will not admit that! Just like Cardinal George in Chicago. he wants the latest trial records of our latest Pedophile priest sealed to protect the "family and the abused child"...right! All he wants to do is protect himself as he is up to his neck in a this crime by transferring around this priest. And this was happening after 2004 when the heirachy were suppose to have adopted new guidelines for dealing with these sick people. He also fires the good hardworking priests because they speak out about the heirachy doing business as usual. And yet works to get his poor dear brother pedophile priests shorter sentences! Jesus must be shaking his head in wonderment. It is time for the lay people to stand up and take back the church of Jesus Christ.
Bertine, you say she lacks
Bertine, you say she lacks humility. How does one with humility write such a comment as yours? Do you know Ruth? You have not read the thesis, so how can you make a judgment call to say "she has no humility?"
When you are at your dinner table with your family, is it customary to force feed them?
If you saw someone hungry, would you require that they take an oath before feeding them any food? And if they refused to say the oath would you deny them food?
If someone demanded that you stop thinking and being, could you stop thinking and being? Would that be in your best interest, to stop thinking and being? Wouldn't you think that such a demand on you was unjust and without compassion?
Reread the article carefully,
Reread the article carefully, brush up on reading comprehension skills. According to the article we are all commenting on Ruth agreed to make a profession of faith and an oath of loyalty. She only refused to renounce her thesis without a discussion of what the Bishop found unacceptable. And the article says that the Bishop was the one who said that the "personal information" he was not releasing to anyone, including Ruth, would damage her "reputation". It seems to me there are people on both sides of the discussion who are responding to what they think the article says or they personally believe rather than what is really stated in the article.
How would discussing this
How would discussing this issue openly "injure Ruth Kolpack's good reputation" any more than being fired without any reasons being given?
My, oh my, oh my!
Seems openness is usually better than secrecy.
Another power flexing move by
Another power flexing move by an archaic patriarchal church. I don't understand why they are so afraid of women, Jesus wasn't. Inclusiveness is not the "bad" theology the Roman Catholic church thinks it is. Inclusiveness is living Christ's way in this world. I am sorry for the church hierarchy who can't seem to do the right thing for an evolving church. Kerrie Weitzel
I knew Ruth when I served at
I knew Ruth when I served at First Congregational Church, on the "other side of the park" from St. Thomas in Beloit. We worked together on several ecumenical activities. She was approachable, devoted to the community, and faithful to her Catholic tradition at all times. She deserved better from her Bishop, and was treated poorly. The Pope should call this Bishop in for 10 minutes and fire him.
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