"We were inspired by the late Cardinal Bernardin's Common Ground Initiative to keep the lines of communication and wisdom open, but kept running into roadblocks in actual practice of that. So we created this pamphlet that we hope will get placed in every Church foyer. If we are all different parts of the Body of Christ, we must get past the first volleys and into real conversation," said Maria German, a member of St. Irenaeus parish.
The guidelines to entering conversation, according to the pamphlet, revolve around the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. However, it is the "opening statements to be avoided" that is attracting some attention outside the parish. Examples of the opening statements to be avoided are:
Conservative Openings to Liberals
•Are you orthodox? I mean, really.
•What kind of heretic are you, anyway? Classic heretic or new age wingnut?
•To which degree to you bow before the Blessed Sacrament?
•I'll bet I can beat you at our Church's Catechism Bowl.
•You know, I was reading a little Canon Law yesterday....
•Opus Dei is getting completely persecuted in the media.
•Let's talk liturgical music!
Liberal Openings to Conservatives
•Spit out that slave-trade coffee, you child-labor-loving freak.
•So, just how much do you hate women?
•I really love the blue advent vestments, don't you?
•Let me pull out my up-to-date poverty statistics pie charts to aid our opening prayer.
•I'd like to share the seven Catholic Social Teaching principles with you, since you obviously don't know them.
•My Jesuit professor said....
•Let's talk liturgical music!
"People have been enthusiastic," said Ms. German. "Even just recognizing that certain statements are 'hot button' ones has gone a long way. Starting our dialogue with discussing the weather over a donut is a move in the right direction."
The full pamphlets are available through the parish's office.
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