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Series on US Election Message to Bishops Concludes With Part IV

The Broken Windows in the Church

by Steve Jalsevac

* SEE THE LIFESITENEWS SPECIAL REPORT *
The Broken Windows in the US Catholic Church
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/081128a.html

November 28, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) -  Today's last article in this series concludes, as promised, with listing and addressing what are often considered less serious, often neglected, and yet more manageable "broken windows" or visible problems (graffiti), in US Catholic dioceses.

According to the broken window strategy, these are given first priority, rather than other, more severe problems. As the broken windows are repaired, disorder in the diocese lessens and an environment is created allowing the severe disorders to be more effectively addressed.

Given what is attempted in this last article, it is lengthier than the other three parts, requiring a LifeSiteNews Special Report. For those interested in this subject I believe you will find the Special Report to be a fascinating, easy read.

These are the 'broken windows' discussed:

1. THE LITURGY
Why start with this one? Because Pope Benedict, in his wisdom, has declared it to be of the highest priority.

What does liturgy have to do with Catholics voting for pro-abortion, pro-homosexual politicians? A lot. It is all about restoring a unity of understanding of what it truly means to worship God. From that eventually follows a tendency to desire to go further and to begin to live and act as Christians in the community with resulting improvement to the culture.

2. DIOCESAN LITURGICAL TEXTS AND HYMNALS
3. DIOCESAN MEDIA
4. SCHOOL TEXTS
5. DIOCESAN CLERGY DRESS
6. HEAD OFFICE (or what should be called the chancery)
7. MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSES
8. INAPPROPRIATE SPEAKERS USING DIOCESE FACILITIES

In the end, where a bishop is faithful and understands the great need to rebuild the Church in his diocese as the first task for restoring the positive cultural influence of the Church, this approach may be of enormous help to him.

LifeSiteNews hopes some bishops will benefit from this series and Catholic readers will communicate the articles to their bishops.

Catholics, and other Christian denominations that have many of the very same or similar "broken windows", are desperately needed to save what is left of our civilization lest we descend much further into barbarity and loss of basic freedoms.

The only real answer, we believe, to the frightening problems that face us today is a large-scale return to traditional religious belief and practice.  The broken window strategy could be of great help in launching that renewal.

* SEE THE LIFESITENEWS SPECIAL REPORT *
The Broken Windows in the US Catholic Church
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/081128a.html

See the previous three articles in this series:
Part I
U.S. Election Message to Catholic Bishops: Time to Clean House
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08111012.html

Part II
US Election Message to Catholic Bishops Part II: This week's Bishops' Assembly
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08111412.html

Part III
US Election Message to Catholic Bishops Part III: The Broken Window Strategy
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08112014.html

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