July 5, 2000
Transition to Lay Leadership Met with Poor Planning and Resources Foundation Study Finds
Washington DC ----- An eight-month, nationwide study commissioned by Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, Inc. (FADICA) has found that the massive influx of new lay leaders within Catholic institutions and parishes is marked by inadequate planning and quality control as well as financial and educational resources.
The sixty-five page study entitled: Laity in Leadership Roles in the Church in the United States Today: A Theological and Pastoral Overview, was conducted for FADICA by Seton Hall University professor Dr. Zeni Fox, a national authority on lay ministry. Dr. Fox, the author of New Ecclesial Ministry (Sheed and Ward 1997), found that much of the change in lay ministry today has not actually been examined by church leaders who at this time appear, she said, only ready to say: "these are the questions."
The study was undertaken following FADICA discussions in 1999 which sought to come to a better understanding of how an estimated 179,000 lay people now stepping into shoes once filled by religious and clergy in a vast network of schools, hospitals, parishes and social service ministries, are being prepared for the religious dimension of these new leadership roles.
The foundations that comprise FADICA are especially interested in knowing what financial resources could be developed to ease this transition while encouraging greater numbers of laity to enter church service.
While taking note of significant expansion in lay training nationwide, the study found that there is "little articulation of expected outcomes of lay formation and no substantive research on programs . . ."
The study found that more structures to promote collaboration among laity, clergy and bishops are needed if "co-laboring in ministry is to be more effective." Despite the rapid employment of laity in many key positions in Catholic institutions, the study noted that patterns on how bishops can and should relate with these new leaders have yet to be worked out.
Commenting on Dr. Fox's research, which will be shared with the nation's bishops and Catholic lay organizations across the country, FADICA's President Francis J. Butler, said: "The foundation community comprising FADICA believes that this transition to lay leadership represents a sea change for Catholic institutions. Unless church leaders start moving in all kinds of ways very soon to chart a future where lay people are properly prepared and given the best resources, many Catholic institutions will remain religious entities in name only," Mr. Butler asserted.
Mr. Butler praised Dr. Fox's work, and said the study contained an array of concrete funding suggestions for foundations as they seek to help the church channel the interest and service of thousands of prospective new lay leaders.
The FADICA study on lay leadership was made possible through grants from the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities of Wilmington, Delaware, the Allegany Franciscan Foundation of Clearwater, Florida and the SC Ministry Foundation of Cincinnati, Ohio.
FADICA will now circulate the study among Catholic leadership and laity organizations seeking further reaction and discussion.
Copies of the study are available through FADICA at $12.95 per copy.
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