CUF News!

Computer Needs
Looking for a good home for your used computer equipment? Donating computer equipment helps charitable organizations and at the same time allows you to deduct the equipment's fair market value. Recently, severe weather conditions caused irreplaceable damage to one of our computer systems. Thankfully, none of our employees was hurt! Even prior to the loss caused by the storm, CUF's International Headquarters needed to replace one computer system.

If you or someone you know is interested in donating new or used equipment, we are in need of the following: Five SVGA monitors and two computer systems with the minimum requirements of a Pentium 3, 1 GHZ, 128 MB RAM, and 5 GB drive.

For more information, email Shannon Hughes, or call her toll-free at (800) MY-FAITH (693-2484).

How Do You Spell R-E-T-R-E-A-T
CUF's next Springtime of Faith conference is set for April 25-26, 2003 in Pittsburgh with the theme "Were not our hearts burning?" Presenters include Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, Pat Madrid, Leon Suprenant, and Ted Sri. Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh will celebrate the closing Mass and Eric Genuis will provide music throughout the weekend. You won't want to miss this one.
For more information, call CUF at (800) MY-FAITH.

Celibacy 101
One of the principal scapegoats for the current scandal in both the secular and dissident Catholic media is the Church's 2000-year tradition of a celibate clergy. CUF briefly addresses this recurring issue in its position paper on the scandals, but now is offering a FAITH FACT specifically on priestly celibacy as well as an informative audiotape on the subject by CUF spiritual advisor Fr. Ray Ryland.
To request your copy of the tape along with CUF's FAITH FACT, call toll-free (800) MY-FAITH.

Lay Witness News
CUF bids farewell to Chris Erickson, who stepped down as editor of Lay Witness following the publication of the May/June 2002 issue. Chris is launching a new woodworking company called, fittingly enough, "Nature and Grace." Our prayers and best wishes go with him in this new endeavor.


New CUF Advisor
CUF welcomes Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B., D.D., Archbishop of Indianapolis, as the newest member of our episcopal advisory council.
Archbishop Buechlein, a Benedictine monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey, was ordained to the sacred priesthood in 1964 and subsequently was ordained as Bishop of Memphis in 1987. Then in 1992 he was installed as Archbishop of Indianapolis. He is probably best known by CUF members for his work as the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a position he's held since 1994. Archbishop Buechlein is contributing an article on the Catechism for the next issue of Lay Witness.

CUF is grateful for Archbishop Buechlein's public support of the CUF apostolate, and even more for his tireless promotion of sound catechesis.

Shaken by Scandals
CUF president Leon Suprenant is one of 13 contributing authors of the forthcoming book, Shaken by Scandals: Catholics Speak Out About Priests' Sexual Abuse, to be released by Servant this August. Other contributing authors include Raymond Arroyo, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., and general editor Paul Thigpen. The book also contains important Church documents that pertain to the current scandals. This timely book meets a pressing need by addressing the issues from a variety of perspectives and offering concrete suggestions for responding with justice, charity, and wisdom.

Meanwhile, CUF's position paper on the current Church scandals continues to be well received in many circles. It appeared, in condensed form, in the National Catholic Register and now is being adapted for publication in the Shaken by Scandals volume noted above. This position paper is unique in that it provides eight practical suggestions to help everyday Catholics respond proactively and constructively to the current crisis. Free copies of the position paper are available at www.cuf.org or by calling CUF toll-free at (800) MY-FAITH.

FAITH FACT Quiz

True or False?
1. The clergy have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church's history.

2. Bearing witness to the faith is necessary for salvation.

3. Spiritual progress necessarily entails self-denial and spiritual battle, which gradually lead to the peace and joy of the Beatitudes.

4. To avoid any possible compromise with evil, Christians must strictly interpret others' words, rather than apply a more lax or favorable interpretation.

5. The Catechism treats "scandal" in its discussion of the Eighth Commandment and the Christian's needs to bear witness to the truth.

6. Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith.

7. Voluntary doubt concerning Church teaching is not a sin, but rather is an authentic expression of one's own religious experience.

8. All Christ's faithful must direct their affections rightly, lest they be hindered in their pursuit of holiness and perfect clarity by an inordinate attachment to riches and worldly things.

9. Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized.

10. Temptations are necessary for the Christian's growth in holiness.

Answers
1. False. The saints-clerical, religious, and lay-have always been the source and origin of such renewal. Catechism, no. 828.
2. True. Catechism, no. 1816.
3. True. Catechism, no. 2015.
4. False. To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's words in a favorable way. Catechism, no. 2478.
5. False. Since scandal brings about spiritual death, it is treated under the Fifth Commandment. Catechism, no. 2284.
6. True. Catechism, no. 2473.
7. False. The Church considers voluntary doubt a sin against the theological virtue of faith. Catechism, no. 2088.
8. True. Catechism, no. 2545.
9.True. Catechism, no. 2285.
10. False. Christians must distinguish trials, which are necessary for spiritual growth, from temptations, which lead to sin and death. Catechism, no. 2847.

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