The Church in Southern Illinois in the Year 2003

Our salvation history continues to unfold in the year of 2003, with our local and national church leaders responding to the clerical sexual abuse scandal, now almost two years old. National attention is still focused on the Diocese of Belleville because our bishop, Wilton Gregory, is president of the national conference of bishops. The emphasis in 2003 was placed on developing child protection policies, plans and offices as all dioceses investigated and reported on allegations of sexual abuse of minors for the last 50 years.

Other issues have clamored for attention as well with families and communities divided over whether we should wage war against Iraq. While we questioned the war, we never wavered in our support of the military personnel who have been, and continue to be, “in harm’s way” because of the decisions of our national leaders.

To read the rest of the story, please see The Messenger newspaper.