So what is up with the USCCB?
Who’s sailing this ship?
Conspiracy theorists love to speculate on all sorts of stories on how various enemies of the Church have infiltrated the Vatican - but what about the Catholic Bishop’s Conference in the United States? Why no stories there? As Catholics we know all of our Bishops are above reproach and faithful to the Holy Father - we’ve witnessed this in their enthusiastic reception of the Summorum Pontificum liberalizing the use of the Extraordinary Latin rite for Mass. Therefore, I can only conclude that the USCCB may employ non-clerical personnel who (inadvertently of course) could pose a threat to Roman Catholic teaching and discipline - unbeknown to the Bishops. It is a huge bureaucracy and therefore hard to keep tabs on everyone who is hired.
The USCCB’s new Domestic Policy Director is a case in point - wherein someone slipped up - or not. The woman they just hired is Kathy Saile, a former Associate Public Policy Director for Lutheran Services in America. Well, I’ll let you read about her:
Sep. 14, 2007 -
Kathy Saile named USCCB domestic policy director; ‘since August 2004, Saile has been Associate Director of Public Policy for Lutheran Services in America (USA), in Washington’ (USCCB) WIN (‘Pro-choice. Democrat. Women. Network.’) 2006 WODW dinner party no. 14: Kathy Saile, Associate Director of Public Policy, Lutheran Services was 1 of 2 speakers at ‘Did the Left Cede Heaven? The Intersection of Faith and Politics.’ ‘Throughout American history religion has shaped US politics. Recent history has focused on the efforts and effects of Conservative Christians in the Republican Party, but the Left continues to be a party of people of faith. This dinner will highlight the way liberal people of faith organize to further progressive causes.’ (WIN) About WIN: ‘WIN is Washington’s premier professional, political, and social network dedicated to empowering young, Democratic, pro-choice women.’ (WIN) - Catholic World News .
The following is an excerpt from the USCCB’s press release:
Msgr. David Malloy, USCCB General Secretary announced the appointment September 13.“Kathy Saile brings to this important position strong commitment to the Catholic Church and its social teaching, impressive knowledge of key domestic issues and extensive policy and advocacy experience. Her service in diocesan social ministry and here in the nation’s capital will be great assets in helping the bishops articulate and advance the Church’s principles and policies seeking economic and social justice in our nation.” - USCCB .
Who knows? Kathy Saile could be another Mother Teresa - I’m just speculating from her record here.
(Thanks to my friend Paula for the tip - sorry I was late in posting this.)
September 15th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
There are hundreds of employees at the USCCB headquarters in Washington.
Many think that the Church would be better off without all but a few of them.
They have their own agenda, separate from the Vatican and from the individual American dioceses.
And I’d bet that few voted for any president named Bush.
September 15th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
As long as Ms. Saile recognizes that I’m really the Papal Nuncio to the U.S. I’m fine with her.
Heavens it’s outrageous to think that the employees of the USCCB must all follow Church teaching or even be Catholic!
I’m currently applying for a teaching position at Adath Jeshurun Synogogue. I shouldn’t have any trouble getting a job there since ecumenism is sweeping the globe.
Signed with love,
Cranky Cathy
September 16th, 2007 at 10:41 am
I love it!
Why not a story about the evil USCCB? Kind of a back handed compliment to the Vatican and a put down to the USCCB -
Good question! Made me laugh.
September 16th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I must’ve missed this job posting on Monster.com
September 16th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Hay! Why didn’t the USCCB hire ME? Is it because I didn’t work for Planned Parenthood, I don’t sit on the board of NOW and I don’t support NAMBLA?
My goodness, what do Catholics have to DO in this country to be hired by a governing Catholic authority? Defect and convert to…paganism?