Thank you for the clarification. Amazing how they mushroomed.
It is true that not only did the USCCB create a superbureaucracy of its own, but that now one sees it replicated at the diocesan level throughout the country. And it is just as ineffective, costly and, if anything, an impediment to real progress as its DC model.
The last thing the bishops' conferences need to be is stronger. I suspect that many bishops resent them, and furthermore, they are absolutely nothing but the voice of the status quo and those who are trying to defend themselves for having protected a dysfunctional status quo in the past.
I wish our Archdiocese would just cut this one entire office. Notice some of their more interesting "ministries".
David Carrier, Director
Office of Justice and Peace
dcarrier@archdpdx.org
503-233-8361
Two dimensions form our work. We encourage the Catholic community of western Oregon to reflect on the living tradition of Catholic social thought and we work to stimulate/network creative social action for the common good.
Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform
www.justiceforimmigrants.org
(basically supporting illegals and giving them legal aid)
Columbia River Pastoral Letter Project
(taking political sides with environmentalists)
Tobin Lecture
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
(contains special funds for illegals)
Inner Peace Retreat
Annual Peace Together Conference
(is this for real?
Resources
Justice & Peace Commission Statement on Iraq
(in cooperation with a Democratic Senator, Mr. Carrier has been told by Archbishop to "encourage" all priests to have parishioner sign a petition to withdraw from Iraq)
Global Warming Awareness
(The Archbishop seems to have swallowed the entire unscientific global warming theory, thousands of dollars are being spent on parish workshops and action campaigns)
Another office worthy of immediate shut down is the fully-staffed "Safe Environment" (sex-ed for kids) program.