Aug 25, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In accordance with a 2004 meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Lacrosse Wisconsin’s Bishop Jerome Listecki has instituted what his diocese calls a “policy of prudence” for speakers in Catholic churches--a move that is earning praise from some Catholic leaders.
According to the Diocese of LaCrosse, the new policy requires a potential speaker to submit a curriculum vitae to the bishop showing that he or she is in good standing with the Church. This would include, if applicable, a mandate for college and university professors and permission from their bishop, if a cleric, to celebrate the sacraments outside their diocese.
Bishop Listecki will review the documentation of all potential speakers on diocesan property.
“When we provide a forum for a speaker within our parishes or schools,” he said in a letter to the diocese, “the faithful have the right to expect that what they hear will be consonant with the teaching of the Church, and with the pastoral direction of the Diocese.”