2003: Its importance depends on our discipleship

		Notes from the  Vicar General  Msgr. Paul J. Swain

Today is the most important time in the history of mankind. Many would think that statement is true, especially with the clouds of war hanging precariously over us.

Certainly, it is an important time for us because it is the only time we have to stand up for our faith, our love for the Church, and our trust in God's mercy and God's plan. We should take advantage of every moment we are given.

Last year was one of joy and hope, but also of grief and anguish, as the bishops of Vatican Council II noted of their time 40 years ago.

Last year, we celebrated with joy the golden anniversaries of priesthood of Bishop Bullock and Bishop Wirz. We responded to the hope of those new to our community with the opening of the Catholic Multicultural Center.

We also felt the grief that comes when leaders betray their trust, and shared to the extent possible the anguish of those so victimized. Joy and hope, grief and anguish are part of every year, for the Church and for each of us personally.

A year of joy and hope

What can we expect in 2003? Certainly there will be change, much of it unexpected.

Likely will be the appointment of the Fourth Bishop of Madison. As Bishop Bullock nears completion of his 10th year, we thank God for his visionary, prayerful, and courageous stewardship as our shepherd. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the selection of our new bishop.

This year will see the implementation of the Charter and Norms for the Protection Children and Young People, adopted by the Bishops and approved by the Holy See.

This will require revision of diocesan policy on sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation as they apply to the ordained, the religious, diocesan and parish employees, as well as volunteers.

Background checks and reporting to civil authorities will be required. The intention is to do everything possible to assure those happenings of the past remain in the past.

There often are contradictory reactions to allegations of misconduct: that they are true because they have been made, or that they are untrue and the priest or other accused has been set up.

When an allegation is made, both for the protection of the alleged victims and the assurance of fair investigation for the accused, details usually are not revealed. Some allegations of horrendously immoral actions have been found to be true, others not.

We must not assume all allegations are of the same degree, and trust in the investigations by civil and church authorities.

And of grief and anguish

This year there will be more linking of parishes. Three priests are currently planning to retire, with three seminarians expected to be ordained. Death and sickness touch priests each year.

In addition, several of the priests from Nigeria will be returning home and will not be replaced. We thank them for their ministry and the ways in which they broadened our understanding of Church and culture.

These changes will result in fewer parishes having priests in residence and some parishes having to reduce services. This will require understanding and cooperation.

The directive of Bishop Bullock to assure that the sacraments are available, sound religious education offered, and the opportunity to gather together as faith communities, will continue to guide diocesan planning.

2003, like all years, will be one of joy and hope, of grief and anguish. Its importance for us will be determined by how faithfully we live out our discipleship in Christ in the midst of it all.

Debate over state, local roles:
Invites us to look at subsidiarity

		Eye on the  Capitol  John Huebscher

As Wisconsin's leaders and citizens consider how to deal with the biggest budget headache in 20 years, they will have to set priorities.

Setting priorities means making judgments as to those functions that are the most important responsibilities of state government and those functions properly left to others. This means, in turn, considering anew the proper role of government in society.

As we do so, we could do worse than to reflect on the principle of subsidiarity, which holds that larger organizations should not assume tasks performed better by smaller ones.

Principle of subsidiarity

Pope Pius XI introduced subsidiarity in his 1931 encyclical, Quadragesimo anno, written to mark the 40th anniversary of Leo XIII's encyclical, Rerum novarum.

In Quadragesimo anno, Pius XI discussed social relationships in the context of a severe worldwide depression. He reaffirmed Leo's assertion that government has a more active function than had previously been the case. He also noted that many things once done by small associations or groups now had to be addressed by larger ones.

But Pius then reminded the world that centralization and bigness should not go too far. He emphasized human dignity suffers when individuals and communities are absorbed by larger economic and political institutions. He offered the principle of subsidiarity as a check or point of reference so that citizens would always ask whether it was in fact necessary to turn to the larger, more remote association to address the problem at hand.

Writing 60 years later, Pope John Paul II took up the same question in his encyclical Centesimus annus. Like Pius, he urged citizens and leaders to follow the principle of subsidiarity when attempting to strike a balance between using government institutions to improve social conditions and avoiding excessive government involvement in activities best left to families and smaller communities, always with a view to the common good.

Means, will to succeed

However, like much of Catholic thought, subsidiarity is nuanced, for it is about more than whether local associations have the knowledge, expertise, and creativity to address social problems. When we recall the common good involves the sum total of conditions that contribute to the well being of society, we must also ask other questions.

Such questions might include: Does the smaller community organization have the means to solve the problem? Does it have the will to do so?

For example, citizens and families in "property poor" communities may be in the best position to know what services they need, but they lack the means to procure them. This is relevant in considering issues like school aids or shared revenues.

Other times, local associations may have the means but not the will. The civil rights laws of the 1960s were enacted because the demands of social justice trumped the demands of "state's rights" on questions of racial equality. In this instance, the federal government intervened on behalf of the individual because local governments would not.

Future debates

What does this have to do with the state budget in 2003?

As noted above, we will hear much about whether providing a given service or good is the duty of state government, municipalities, or whether government should deal with the problem at all. We will debate whether the state should collect taxes or allow municipalities to do so. We will debate whether changing conditions require different state, municipal, or private sector arrangements than we have known.

The solution to these debates may come down to a simple matter of which special interest groups have the power to protect their interests. But if these debates are resolved by honest discussions that include a consideration of the principle of subsidiarity, then the common good of our state will be better served.

John Huebscher is executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference.