Haven't I heard this before? Polish parishioners, Irish clergy, at loggerheads over who's in charge - oh, wait, no, that was about one hundred years ago. Must be time for the battle to flare up again.
According to a front page article in the Chicago Tribune, the Irish-American archbishop of St. Louis is trying to force the Polish-American parishioners of St. Stanislaus Kostka parish to cede control of the parish finances to him. It's been tried before, and Chicago's bishops waged the same war at the close of the nineteenth century. Seems the Polish Catholics like to keep their own hands on the purse strings, and wise bishops have backed off and let it go. But, having forgotten his history lessons, Archbishop Burke is determined to bring the rebels to heel.
He took away their priests, so they brought in their own. He threatens to excommunicate the lot of them, claiming schism and other theological crimes. And what do the blessed Catholics of St. Stan's have to say? Just that their archbishop wants control of their facilities so that he can sell them to pay off the claims stemming from sex abuse convictions.
How does our holy man take to that? Why, as you'd expect, of course. He tells the people to obey him or face eternal damnation. Hello there, Father? Did you not hear? Or do you think it's none of their business, those people who paid every week to build and then maintain the parish and school? Or do you think you don't have to listen? Pass off their complaints with claims that they're looking to institute a democracy in the organization of the Catholic Church, and you don't need to pay attention to what they're really saying.
The Archbishop calls on his flock to pray, pay and obey, which is undoubtedly the same tactic used by Archbishop Mundelein about ninety years ago in Chicago. The Polish parishioners that Mundelein attempted to rein in had the same issues as today's congregation in St. Louis. The stockholders want to keep control of the finances. They're not looking to tell you what prayers to use, what gospel they'd like on Sunday next, or even what brand of Communion wine they prefer.
Management has made a mess of the Catholic Church, with its utter bungling of the sex abuse crisis, leading to financial ruin and bankruptcy of more than one diocese. The good people of St. Stanislaus Kostka have made a stand. The suits in the corner offices will not be allowed to liquidate assets to salvage the corporation, given their apparent inability to solve the problems that led to insolvency. The stockholders of St. Stan's are not about to hand over their hard earned facility, paid for by their own labor and contributions, to a corporation that has proven to be fiscally irresponsible. To salvage their Church, they will manage the money, and let the priests manage the souls.
No one is looking to replace Archbishop Burke with a president or a prime minister. They will listen to his teaching, as long as he confines his topics to the Word of God. As for his opinions on matters of money, well, there is that story about Jesus booting the money-changers out of the temple. And Our Lord did not recommend that they be replaced with a House of Representatives.
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ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA--St. Louis, MO
Sunday, October 16, 2005
TESTEM BENEVOLENTIAE
TESTEM BENEVOLENTIAE—St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish-St. Louis, MO.
This entry is in regards to the Lay Board of Directors of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church--St. Louis, MO
I grew up in a Polish Parish in Chicago (now Basilica). Perhaps the most famous in the world amongst the Polish Community–St. Hyacinth otherwise known as Jackowo. This is an interesting topic for me because I had been associated with St. Stanislaus briefly when lived in St. Louis during my military duties. There are some things I want to point out. Here is a quote about a similar situation that happened to the third Bishop of New York (Bishop Dubois).
Quote:
“Another serious problem confronted the bishop in the lay trustee system controlling the churches. On one occasion, when the trustees of the cathedral threatened to withhold his salary he made this memorable reply “I am an old man, and do not need much. I can live in a basement or in a garret. But whether I come up from the basement or down from the garret, I shall still be your Bishop” (see TRUSTEEISM; NEWYORK, ARCHDIOCESE OF).
end Quote: source: Catholic Encyclopedia (www.newadvent.org)
I think the situation in New York with Bishop Dubois was sort of the “enough is enough” climax of the laity controlling church assets. This is why Bishop John Hughes (Famous in Gangs of New York–Armed the Parish) eradicated Lay Trusteeism in his diocese. A Lay board of directors, trustees, etc. goes way way back to colonial times. The tradition started as a way for local churches to be self reliant during the period of colonization. The problem with this setup is that it is distinctly an American Protestant tradition–Very UnCatholic. The tradition caught on with the Catholics regardless. Once the church became more established in the American mission, it was evident that this system would not be compatible with the Church. This is why many Bishops/priests often times found themselves at odds with a group of American laity in charge of the church assets.
I’ve believed from the beginning that everything about this situation has been perverse. The system of a lay board of directors is distinctly American, and distinctly protestant. Something that is ironic, considering that the Lay Board has instigated a campaign of “Keeping their Polish Heritage.” I don’t believe that Polish Heritage is protesting outside of the Cathedral waving “Solidarnosc” signs. This would only be prime time comedy material in Poland. From what I’ve observed, just from reading history, and attending the Polish mass at St. Hyacinth, real Polish Heritage is submission to the Church. That’s how it’s been for a 1000 years. Most of these people on the Lay board were born in America. I was born in America as well. I’m American, who happens to know a little about Polish people. I only speak the language when I need to. These people either try too hard to be Polish, or are using it as a front to operate as a Social Club. I think it’s a little bit of both. In the end these people look goofy. For all of their Polish pride rhetoric, they can’t even make a connection that high ranking Poles (John Paul II, Archbishop Karpinski (Lublin)) havn’t approved of their motions.
If this group is interested in “preserving their Polish Heritage” so much, I think a different strategy would be important. Instead of going against the church and playing victim, why not work with some of the immigration issues going on. I understand that St. Louis is sister cities with Szceczin, PL. Right now they are handing out visas like hotcakes to Poles. Why not set up an advertising campaign in Szceczin for more Poles to come to St. Louis and find jobs. St. Louis needs more foreigners anyways. The Bosnians practically saved the town. Cheap labor often attracts more business to the area. In the neighborhood I grew up in Chicago, I don’t have to worry about losing my Polish Heritage, because they still keep coming, and the churches still stay packed with real Poles from overseas. It is a natural organic occurrence. I can worry more about being an American than a Polish American. The campaign that the board is pushing is really a McPolish Pride sandwich–The meat might be Polish Sausage, but the invention distinctly American.
It was very sad for me to hear about this news of what was going on at St. Stanislaus, The people there (Lay Board as well) are very nice people. But after much thought, it is evident to me that Archbishop is simply doing what Bishop John Hughes would have done. He is doing a service to the Church and maintaining ecclesiastical authority over his flock. Unfortunately, St. Stanislaus and the Lay board are the black sheep in this situation
If the Church hierarchy could be trusted to handle financial matters responsibly, there'd be no problem. Polish heritage? No, just trying to save the Church from rotting from the inside out.
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