I think it a mistake to keep this or other statements of the USCCB secret until they are approved. The consultation in this case with Native American leaders is good as far as it goes. But, by keeping these and other documents secret from the clergy, scholars, and the laity at large, the USCCB is preventing them from adding their wisdom and insight. If the Church is really interested in synodality, it would seem that there should be broad consultation before such documents are published, or for that matter before legislation or translations are considered for approval. The USCCB may be worried that publishing the drafts would lead to a potentially contentious debate. And so it could. But a lively debate would increase interest in the final document. By keeping almost everyone except the bishops and a few experts they appoint out of the consultation, the USCCB is also creating a situation in which there will not be much public involvement. And, if the past is any guide, the lack of public participation will also result in a lack of public interest in the final text.
A fact finding effort may be prudent before releasing a statement. These initial drafts appear to be driven primarily by emotions and anecdotes, without concrete examples of X happened because of Y and this is how we will prevent it from happening in the future.
If this bogus virtue signal gets the libs at the USCCB sued, I’m all for it. That’s called “justice.”
I think it a mistake to keep this or other statements of the USCCB secret until they are approved. The consultation in this case with Native American leaders is good as far as it goes. But, by keeping these and other documents secret from the clergy, scholars, and the laity at large, the USCCB is preventing them from adding their wisdom and insight. If the Church is really interested in synodality, it would seem that there should be broad consultation before such documents are published, or for that matter before legislation or translations are considered for approval. The USCCB may be worried that publishing the drafts would lead to a potentially contentious debate. And so it could. But a lively debate would increase interest in the final document. By keeping almost everyone except the bishops and a few experts they appoint out of the consultation, the USCCB is also creating a situation in which there will not be much public involvement. And, if the past is any guide, the lack of public participation will also result in a lack of public interest in the final text.
A fact finding effort may be prudent before releasing a statement. These initial drafts appear to be driven primarily by emotions and anecdotes, without concrete examples of X happened because of Y and this is how we will prevent it from happening in the future.