CLEVELAND Catholic Diocese Bishop Richard Lennon Sends Conciliatory Letter to Priests, Seeking to Repair Relationship
By Michael O'Malley
Bishop Richard Lennon has sent a conciliatory letter to the priests in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, acknowledging that his relationship with many of them has deteriorated. In a letter obtained by The Plain Dealer, Lennon wrote to the diocese's priests on May 21, saying "I have become aware of a growing disconnect between many of the priests who serve faithfully in this diocese and myself." "It saddens me to hear reports," the bishop continued, "that a number of our priests feel anxious and uncomfortable in my presence and that rather than being co-workers with me, a number of priests feel left out of consultation." The bishop's letter did not offer a reason for the rift he described. But it said he was writing "to assure you of my desire to remedy this situation." The bishop has asked all priests to attend at least one of nine meetings he has scheduled at various parishes throughout the eight-county diocese to discuss the matter. The first meeting was scheduled for today at St. Mary in Wooster. They are to continue through July 2. ". . . (M)y own heart calls me to listen carefully, reflect, correct and change what needs to be changed as we move forward," the bishop wrote. "I would ask and urge you to be present at one of these meetings." Lennon offered to meet individually with priests who cannot attend or who are uncomfortable about attending one of the group meetings. Calls to some local priests on Wednesday were not returned. Sources who asked not to be identified said priests have been writing to Rome, complaining about Lennon. It was unclear how many have written and what their complaints are. Diocese spokesman Robert Tayek said in an email Wednesday, "We do not wish to go much beyond the statements in the bishop's letter." However, Tayek added, "Bishop Lennon has held meetings with the priests of the diocese three or four times during the past six years on a variety of topics." Tayek said the Presbyteral Council -- a body of priests that assists the bishop in governing the diocese -- suggested to Lennon "that he address this issue." In his letter, Lennon said that after meeting with the priests, he will consult with the Presbyteral Council about how to move forward. "Know I am entering this process willingly and open to change," he wrote. " . . Please join me in this sincere effort to improve the spirit, communication and trust in our relationship." The meetings come as Lennon, under orders from Rome, is working to reopen 11 churches he closed in a downsizing of the diocese. The 11 -- which were among 50 he closed over 15 months, beginning in 2009 -- had appealed their closings to Rome. In March, the Vatican ruled in favor of the parishes, saying Lennon did not properly follow canon laws when he closed them. The bishop had 60 days to appeal, but in April he announced he would reopen the parishes, saying it was time for peace and unity in the diocese. He has been meeting with parishioners from the closed churches in recent weeks, but so far has not announced the assignment of pastors. In a recent interview with The Plain Dealer, the bishop said he hoped to have all 11 churches reopened by August, though he acknowledged he was facing a daunting task. "I've got to somehow figure out what is feasible," he said in the interview. "It's not just open the doors and turn on the lights."
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