First, let me, if only by the printed word, welcome you to Chicago. We can be, at our best, like Abraham's tent. All four sides with the walls rolled up to welcome the stranger from every direction. At our worst, we build expressways to divide us up, practice racism, sexism, ageism, narcissism, and build both invisible and physical walls of capitalism between the rich and the poor as you have already described so eloquently.
While we are a crossroads, there is also a strong Catholic heart that beats here across every parish and every cross street, touching every single soul -- professed Catholic or not -- with the long known horror of sex abuse now printed up on 6,000 pages where the world can see and all of us listening can feel in some way or another the ripples of shame.
If sin is distance from God, or distance from what's holy -- as I believe -- then we are awash in sin. I write not because I expect you to wave a magic wand and make it go away. You are the Pope. Not Santa Claus. I write from the faith that if you somehow read this message, which is an offering up on some very specific, foundational points on how to heal our broken city, if you read this -- you'd understand my message of healing. And in understanding, you'd make it part of the conversation on how we'll go about, within God's light, the business of healing.
I'm also writing because all five points are ones I can personally help lead. So if you need my help, call me. From what I hear, you do that.
A Vision For Healing -- Across Chicago
• Adapt a SYSTEMS THINKING Approach. Detailed in the work of Peter Senge and others. Systems thinking gives us a way to think about the problem as a whole. Not in small pieces.
• Build a Culture of Accountability. Composed of confidence, integrity, pride and passion. My friend Curt Coffman's Book, Culture Eats Strategy For Lunch offers up a path on how to do this. I've done it myself in a variety of settings.
• Celebrate Inclusion. Emulating the Moravian practice of building and living a life where the practice of Love is needed most. Not to judge or convert. Rather, to be among the people in need. Chicago is a city (like most I suppose) fueled by the notion that "some are on the outside and some are on the inside." The sex abuse scandal is being managed solely by Catholics -- on the inside. Picture a world where non-Catholics became part of the leadership in the universal work of healing. Imagine the instant credibility.
• Constantly raise the commitment to learning. When the solution to this systemic wound is tossed off as "we need training," I shudder. Having spent a lifetime as a developer of leaders and managers; I can say that learning in the very broadest sense is the need here. Not just "training."
• "Let the church be the church." A quote from the American theologian Stanley Haurwas. The idea being that the church be included -- like every other institution -- in the community. Not to be the community. Rather, to be the church. Within that calling is the mystery of God's will. And there is also a path to the forgiveness, the turning of the cheek, the listening and love we will all need to heal. A passage of scripture that rings true here is:
God has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:9-10
That passage brings to mind the always-relevant question, "How?" Visions of a healed city are nice. But only if we go to work. And I would not be sincere in offering up this picture of healing if I didn't also say, "I'll help." All five of the elements of healing are ideas that can be turned into action, if the right person is in place, and the resources are made available, to lead the coaching, training, development and cultural change efforts summarized here.
So if, on the very slim chance, you read this -- please do not hesitate to call. I understand you do that.
And I'd be honored to help.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.