Jane Anderson is one of the quieter contributors to the conversations on Catholica. You might also recall she is a Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia currently engaged in research into what she describes as "progressive Catholicism". In a sense the sort of people who are attracted to Catholica – those who have been becoming disenchanted with the institutional agenda, and searching for more meaningful alternatives – are the focus of her research interest. Today's commentary though is a bit more personal. She has just self-published a book, "Souled Out" which describes in fictionalised form some of her own disillusion with the Church not over the treatment of herself but the treatment of a Vatican II-minded priest whom she, and many others had (and continue to have), enormous respect for. So often, it seems, the journey to disillusion begins with personal experience of how individuals are treated. This commentary is taken from the preface to Jane's book and explains the background to this sad story that helps chronicle why the Church is turning so many people away.

Preface to "Souled Out"

by Jane Anderson

The Catholic Church's problems are escalating and there is not likely to be an end to them any time soon. Traditional sexual teachings are being maintained regardless of scientific discoveries and the experiences of many Catholic men and women. Monarchical structures are defended in the face of democratizing pressures. Papacies continue to insist on a male celibate clergy, despite the chronic shortage of priests and demands for ordaining women and married men. These contradictions between the Church's pastoral message and its administrative practice are also being compounded by clergy sexual abuse. Revelations continue to surface, not just of individual priests who abused, but of bishops who aggravated the crimes by moving these priests onto fresh fields where the abuse continued.

Jane's book is available as a print-on-demand paperback from Dymocks and as an eBook from Google eBooks. Click the image above or HERE for more information.

There also exists under the radar of media attention the same pattern of contradiction in many parishes throughout the world. Grassroots faith communities are being weighed down by a powerful clerical system that will not engage with ordinary Catholics in local churches. It is a situation aggravated by the lack of public attention, but it is one that is not easily attended. Those affected by such difficulties may consider theirs is an isolated case; they may not have the skills, contacts or resources to put them on public record; they may be fearful of the consequences of their report. For a Catholic community the latter has profound implications: fear locks faith communities in with their problems while damaging the trust necessary to keep them healthy and vital. This book challenges those barriers by disclosing the details of a true story, the purpose of which is to highlight how many Catholics are struggling to maintain strong parishes and how their valiant efforts are so often undermined by the very institution that is mandated to serve them.

Souled Out is a true story about what happened in one Roman Catholic parish. The tale begins in Haughton, a regional city situated on a scenic part of Australia's coastline. There, a parish priest named Tom McCaffrey encourages parishioners to become co-workers in the maintenance and mission of their parish. But after five years of collaborative ministry, he discovers the new associate priest, the local bishop and a tiny minority of traditional Catholics have other ideas about how the parish should be administered and how he is to live out his impending retirement. Tom challenges their impositions, and so do a large group of parishioners who rally around him. As one of those parishioners, I too sympathised with Tom's difficulties, but I had a unique way of attending them. As an anthropologist, I started recording the details of the unfolding drama so I could try and make sense of what was happening. I ended up with a narrative of sorts, but I couldn't make much sense of it. I couldn't answer my major question: "how and why could presumably good and faithful Catholics treat one of their own in such an appalling way?" This book serves as a process for finding an answer.

The contents of this book are shaped by a number of features. In an attempt to maintain historical accuracy, I have quoted liberally from correspondence and transcripts. I have given pseudonyms to people and places to protect identities and locations. To maintain consistency I have also given myself a pseudonym, namely, Ruth Smithson. Since this is a story about injustice and abuse, I have drawn lightly on theories of power to explain the things that happened. I say "lightly" because my aim is to make this account accessible to all those affected. In each chapter I have also weaved in information that situates the narrative in a wider context. While the story has characteristics unique to particular characters and the parish in which it is located, it is also shaped by larger trends in the institutional church that work to produce its conclusions.

A special thank you goes to Tom McCaffrey (not his real name) whose courage bears witness to a more accountable, meaningful and Christ-like Church. Likewise, to my two friends, Helen Oxenburgh-Lowe and Colin Lowe whose wit and passion buoyed my spirits during writing; thanks too to Colin for designing the book cover. My thanks also go to all the other characters featured in this book, although I realise some whose actions were less than edifying may not be pleased about their inclusion. Nevertheless, everyone's contribution provides valuable insights into the challenges of being a Catholic today. I would also like to express my gratitude to Professor John Gordon, a senior colleague at the University of Western Australia, whose interest and quiet persuasion encouraged me to publish this book.

Jane Anderson, submitted to Catholica on 15 Sep 2012

IMAGE CREDIT:
The headline image has been adapted from Colin Lowe's cover design for Jane's book.

LINKS:
We interviewed Dr Anderson some months ago on Catholica about her research. Those video interviews can be found at:
www.catholica.com.au/specials/interviews/
007_int_190711.php
www.catholica.com.au/specials/interviews/
008_int_210711.php
Jane's previous commentary for Catholica was entitled "Countering the 'racist' tag applied to those who question the wisdom of importing foreign priests" and can be found at:
www.catholica.com.au/gc2/occ2/060_occ2_110311.php

What are your thoughts on this commentary?
You can contribute to the discussion in our forum.

©2012Jane Anderson

[Index of Occasional and Miscellaneous Commentaries]