Tony Butel

(from Today's Parish, October, 2002 with permission of the publisher and author)

          As part of the 2002 NACARE Survey of diocesan contacts regarding Adult Faith Formation, questions were included asking about parish responses to the September 11 tragedy. Dioceses were asked to list specific types of responses parishes made to the crisis by listing them under the six dimensions of adult faith formation as listed in the document, Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. The six dimensions are: Knowledge of Faith; Liturgical Life; Moral Formation; Prayer; Communal Life; and Missionary Spirit.

          Under Knowledge of Faith, the survey indicated that among diocese or parish responses, the following were included [( ) = the number of dioceses indicating this kind of response]:
• Workshops on Islam, its relationship to Christianity and/or Judaism (7);
• Courses or in-service on Islam (7);
• Courses in comparative religions (4)
• Posting on diocesan web pages of information produced by publishers on the handling of crisis surrounding the events of September 11;
• Diocesan newspaper articles on “just war” and/or “death penalty (3);
• Dialogue discussions with representatives of Catholic, Jewish and Moslem traditions (3);
• Held workshops on dealing with crisis (2);
Others indicated workshops were held or mailings sent out on evil and suffering, responding to terrorism and holding classes on Catholic Social Teachings.

          Under Liturgical Life, responses included:
• Bishop/Parishes/Deaneries celebrated Mass (16);
• Communal prayer services at the cathedral or local parishes (15);
• Ecumenical Prayer services (5);
• Intentions included in the prayers of the faithful (4)
• Inter-religious services (3)
• Homily ideas sent to parishes (2)
Other responses mentioned included reconciliation services and a Cardinal’s visit to a mosque.

          Responses in Moral Formation included:
• Just-war theory/ death penalty presentations/seminars through various media (5);
• Cautions/condemnations against ethnic bias and racial profiling (4);
• Inter-faith dialogues (3);
Other responses included:
• Offering to companion members of the Moslem community to stores schools;
• A petition circulated among parishes calling for non-discrimination of Moslems and Arabs, then delivered to the local mosque;
• Promoting the reading of Catholic Updates on War/ Just War/ Capital Punishment/Economic issues;
• Provided education regarding respect for other cultures and people;
• Communication with political leaders to act out of justice, not revenge, in holding the appropriate parties responsible for the acts of violence;
• Training people in the pastoral care of immigration detainees;
• Parish teams leading discussion of bishops’ document on welcoming immigrants;

          Responses under the Prayer dimensions included:
• Prayer Services/special liturgies at the time of the event (15)
• Shared resources via the internet for prayers for peace, in times of crisis; comfort and hope (4)
• Inter-faith/ecumenical prayer services (4);
• Mailed or published in diocesan newspaper resources on prayer (3);
• Prayer and reflection during a diocesan catechist/ministry formation event (2);
• Parishes offered prayer for the victims and our country (2)
• Bulletin inclusion noted prayers for peace (2);
Additional responses included;
• School superintendent encouraging Catholic schools to hold prayer services;
• Chancellor participating in inter-religious service;
• Bishop encouraged a nine-week fast and novena of peace;
• Prayer intentions for those in military service;
• Interfaith concert for peace;

          Communal Life responses included:
• Collections for victims (6);
• Outreach to Moslem community, invitations to speakers on Islam (2);
• Collaboration with other churches to build solidarity with Islamic women for prayer;
• Sponsored a program on Islam for staff;
• Catholic Charities and Social Ministry offices provided food, clothing and shelter;
• Parish outreach workers extended their working hours to accommodate families;
• Materials made available to parents for helping children deal with disaster;
• Military parishes asking spouses/family members to gather for support;

          Missionary Spirit responses included:
• Outreach to survivors of NYC, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania (3);
• Outreach to Afghani poor and children (3);
• Many of our firefighters, EMT’s and chaplains went to Ground Zero;
• Evangelization newsletter suggested ways to reach out to alienated, un-churched seeking solace or community;
• Faith sharing questions focused on how each of us can make a difference;
• Various parishes connecting with churches in New York to offer assistance;
• Support for Moslems in our midst;
• Reached out to immigrants from “suspect” countries;

          Responses to the survey indicate a church community responding to crisis with grace, a regard for victims and response personnel. The survey displays an awareness and concern for persons who may be racially profiled in a culture seeking to respond to violence. The church perceived a need to alleviate anxiety for children and called for prayer in a time of crisis. People without a community of faith who might want to feel connected to others were given consideration. The church extended its concern for the people of Afghanistan who were to feel the affects of the “response to terrorism.”

The survey shows that in the midst of the crisis God was present, calling forth and guiding the church to help meet the needs of that traumatic time.