The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (A Resolution?)

Anthony Kosnik's obituary provided a very simple descriptive of that troubled moment:

 As a result of very strong opposition to the book by conservative elements of the Catholic Church, and his refusal to recant, Tony's contract at SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary was not renewed for the 1981-82 academic year. This led to strong student and faculty protest, as well as confrontation with the Archbishop, and eventually resulted in his appointment to the faculty of Marygrove College, in Detroit. Tony directed the M.A. Program in Pastoral Ministry at Marygrove from 1983 until the time of his retirement in 2000.

Short; sweet' simple - however, maybe a bit too brief and simple. At least from what I remember, maybe someone was trying to keep the descriptive brief or perhaps they were just trying to remember events from off top of their head. At any rate at least some of my recollection is at variance, particularly the cited dates.

My recollection puts this as happening in late winter and early spring of 1982, which would mean that the contract renewal in question would have been for 1982/1983. A bit later I will let you know why I stick with those dates.

As to the issue at hand, for me, before making any moves, especially any based on an "unnamed source" phone call, I decided to check the facts. I placed a phone call to Kosnik's office where, as might be expected, calls were not being answered. Fortunately, I had his private number and that worked. I got to speak with him directly and heard him confirm that a new contract was not being offered to him. 

While there was no evident, crystal-clear evidence of any Person in Great Authority being involved in this decision, speculation about an ultimate and greater source was certainly present. Tony was not going public with anything or making any public statements, especially any speculative statements.

Of course there was nothing to prevent me from speaking with the press. Just be careful!

And that was an important element and piece of wisdom.

After all, even if a certain bishop was behind this, well, the bishop of any diocese certainly had the authority and sometimes even the duty to call for the transfer of a priest within that diocese. And back then we were still operating under the older Code of Canon Law which emphasized strongly a bishop's "rights."

Furthermore, as the chief teacher and guardian of orthodoxy within the local Church, the bishop had certain duties. These were not questionable and still should not be.

However, there was another question that seemed at play in this matter. It could be called academic freedom or academic license. It did not and should not mean that the academic field should be "free" to do anything or say anything or think anything at all. There were and should be boundaries but also a certain flexibility for academic development, for growth and deepening and advancing - even in the fields of theology. Research should never be ruled out.

After all, Vatican II would not have been able to present us with the beautiful renewal of liturgy except for academic study, discussion and development. Other Constitutions and documents, likewise, evidence theological growth and development. Matter of fact, without such growth and development, we might be relegated to the ancient practice of allowing the Sacrament of Penance to be administered only once in a lifetime after Baptism. No third chances back then! But growth, development happened.

So, the real question emerging from all of this was - what is this action possibly saying regarding academic development in the area of theology?

And as a teacher, this question and its answer impacted me and every other theology faculty member!

And when, somehow, the story leaked out to the local press, this was the question set out before the public. And when, a short time later, the National Catholic Reporter made contact with me for comments on this breaking story, this was my point of focus.

And along with the story breaking in local and national news, I began to get phone calls from students asking what they could or should do. 

And an opportune moments was definitely presenting itself.

Just days after this breaking event the Archbishop of Detroit, Edmund C. Szoka, was hosting a unique gathering of clergy and laity from the Church of Detroit for the first ever Archdiocesan Assembly. The numbers would be sizable enough to fill the seats of the auditorium of Sacred Heart Seminary.

And somehow those gathering for that Assembly were greeted (as was the Archbishop on his arrival) by a significant crowd, carrying signs, of course, and asking in their chant, what was going on at Orchard Lake and with Father Anthony Kosnik. 

And that questioning did not abate or disappear inside the seminary auditorium. Delegates to the Assembly picked up the question and began to take to the public microphones joining in the search for clarity.

Oh! And I was nowhere near that scene!

I had received still another "unnamed source" phone call. And this is why I also know that the obituary dates may be off. This had to be happening in 1982 because early that year I had decided that it was time for me to consider moving on from my current pastorate. I was considering a new opportunity and folks Downtown knew this. In fact by this time I had my eyes on one particular parish and that was also known.

So the phone call I received was a simple word of advice.

"If you want that assignment, you had just better settle down!"

I got the hint.

I shut my mouth. 

Shortly afterward I was named pastor of the Church of the Precious Blood in Detroit, a ministry that I assumed in 1982. I was also, then, added as adjunct faculty at Sacred Heart Seminary temporarily until another could get academically qualified to take over full time.

Oh, and Tony's contract was actually renewed. An understanding and agreement managed to be reached. He stayed on for one more year and then gracefully resigned. He chose to not renew!

And he was allowed to take on another teaching assignment, continuing to use his academic gifts now at Marygrove College.

And from my new position at Precious Blood Parish new opportunities unfolded for interacting with Edmund C. Szoka! The fun had just begun!

Watch for more in the weeks to come.

The Book of Bishops - The Szoka Era (Dawning)

 And now we arrive at memories of what may well have been the most significant of my Memories of Bishops - The Szoka Era.

Edmund C. Szoka came to the Archdiocese of Detroit following the retirement of John Dearden. His origins were Pure Michigan and his episcopal roots were as the first bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord.

When John Dearden came to us from Pittsburgh, he bore the reputation of being "Iron John," steel cold and inflexible. Edmund Szoka came with no such designation. He really did not need a nickname. His actions spoke loudly enough. I suspect that there are some who would even suggest that Iron would be too flexible and pliable a material for describing Edmund Szoka!

His voice -- his very presence -- one glance from him -- any of these could make even those very strong tremble in their boots.

I think that may have been why the Szoka Era played such a significant part in my life.

And having set out that descriptive, now let me back up a bit and capture a prelude to our very first encounter.

I was back from my studies at the University of Notre Dame and I was newly positioned as pastor of St.  Clement of Rome in Romeo, Michigan and still very early in this process, with that new degree safely in hand and no office job to accompany it, I was asked to join the faculty of SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

They needed someone to handle this newly emerging "science" of liturgy and all of the emerging documents and at that time in our history, such qualified persons were few and far between. However, I was a newly appointed pastor who had just spurned a bureaucratic full time position.

It was agreed that I would serve as adjunct faculty, maintaining my parish life while setting aside time weekly each semester to provide needed courses in liturgical theology.

I would have the best of both worlds (so to speak) or just maybe the worst!

But honestly, teaching was exhilarating and I especially enjoyed interacting with the students, often learning from the examples being set by lay students, newly being admitted to theological studies and exhibiting deep appreciation to what, far too often, seminary students were then taking for granted.

And the Dean of Studies, my immediate supervisor, was also a joy with whom to work. He was then becoming a well known theologian, Anthony Kosnik. He even had a book about to be released. It would prove to be, for back then in the 1970's, a very radical work on human sexuality.

And that is where my first real up close and personal encounter with Edmund Szoka would take place.

I had been serving on the adjunct faculty of the seminary for a number of years when "It" happened. Matter of fact, I had also been in parish as pastor for even a slightly longer period of time.

During this span of time there were numerous occasions when I would have the occasion to meet with and have discussions with Tony Kosnik. Mostly we spoke of educational approaches and techniques on the graduate study level. I do believe that we both felt strongly about how subject matter should be handled when dealing with those who had arrived at  this particular level of learning.

But then one fine day I received a phone call.

And do not try and even pretend that, at least back in those days, even Archdiocesan Offices did not have news leaks!

This caller, aware that I was working, even if part time, in the seminary and also with Tony Kosnik, just wanted me to be informed.

Anthony Kosnik was being removed from his position!

He was not going willingly. He was being ordered out.

And guess, just guess who might be giving the order!

Watch for more in the weeks to come.