CUF CHAPTER: FOCUS ON CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Catholics United for the Faith is an association of lay Catholics, with supporting clergy and religious, who are loyal to the Holy Father and faithful to the teachings of the Church. CUF is neither "conservative" nor "liberal." We hold fast to the traditions that the Church wishes to preserve, and we readily accept those changes which the Church in her wisdom chooses to make to meet the specific needs of our generation. We have no "agenda" other than to support, defend, and advance the Church's efforts to make Jesus Christ known and loved by all. We, therefore, embrace without reservation all of the teachings, declarations, and decrees of the Second Vatican Council.

The first task of a CUF chapter is to unite Catholics who are loyal to the Pope and who accept—or are open to accepting—the spirit and principles of the CUF apostolate. As a practical matter, most Catholics who join a CUF chapter do so for the sake of mutual support and friendship. Many devout Catholics feel isolated today. They need the fellowship of others who might have concerns about the Church yet above all want to be faithful to the Pope and the Magisterium. By their very existence, CUF chapters fulfill this need.

In the original CUF brochure, published in 1968, CUF founder H. Lyman Stebbins wrote: "Catholics United for the Faith believes so strongly in the primacy of the spiritual and the power of the supernatural that it is convinced it could do an enormous work even if its members' only activities were study, prayer, fasting, and works of mercy and love toward our neighbor. We believe that these are, necessarily and objectively, prerequisites for the effectiveness of any Christian work. Thus, they are in no way opposed to action in itself;

they are opposed only to impatient, self-assertive, or quarrelsome action. CUF is strongly in favor of any action which will really serve that purpose stated in our Declaration: 'to repair the dissent and disunity within the Church.'"

CUF members relentlessly affirm the primacy and indispensability of seeking first—and always—our own interior renewal. Then, in undertaking any action, we need to take to heart the teaching of Pope John Paul II quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 1889). There we are reminded that the way of charity involves discerning "the often narrow path between the cowardice which gives in to evil, and the violence which under the illusion of fighting evil only makes it worse."

CUF chapters for 35 years have offered absolute resistance to attacks on the Catholic faith. But how this resistance is offered isn't simply a matter of preference, though of course there often are a wide range of legitimate ways of addressing such problems. We need to act with the mind and heart of the Church, in ways that actually build up the Church and in the process help us in our own sometimes elusive pursuit of holiness and virtue. Prayer, respectful and appropriate communication with those in authority, and education in Church teaching and practice are some proactive things that can be done. We'd all agree with Mother Teresa that the goal is to be faithful, not necessarily successful, but in practice the temptation to fudge on fidelity, civility, and charity for the sake of expediency can be very alluring and must be resisted at every turn.

CUF chapters do not form as a "response" to problems, but as a means for like-minded Catholics to gather for prayer, doctrinal and spiritual formation and education, fellowship, and apostolic action. Does that mean chapters aren't allowed to address problems that may exist? No. But such problems should not become the primary focus, and they must be addressed in ways that foster ecclesial communion. Further, chapters are encouraged to search out creative, proactive ways of "drowning evil with good" (Rom. 12:21), such as by providing alternative programs and courses.

Sometimes people expect CUF to be able to achieve certain "results." The fact is that in many situations there is nothing we can do to effect change, as we're ultimately not the ones in charge. But we must always, with God's grace, exercise Christian virtue as faithful disciples of Christ. We do what we can, and then we have to entrust the situation into the hands of our wise and merciful Lord, offering any lingering difficulties or frustrations in union with His redemptive sacrifice, realizing that personal reform is the necessary prerequisite for lasting institutional reform.

Identifying the local CUF chapter as the place where faithful Catholics can meet to enjoy friendship and mutual support provides in itself a very important service for the faith. By establishing a local community of believers the chapter truly acts as a leaven for the faith; bringing Catholics together on a regular basis for prayer, study, and companionship reinforces and strengthens their faith, and thereby strengthens the Church. CUF has received many letters over the years confirming this fact; some have even stated that their faith was saved by discovering, in CUF, others who shared their beliefs. Cardinal

Edouard Gagnon once suggested that CUF has saved many Catholics , from Joining Archbishop Lefebvre's traditionalist movement, which has separated itself from the authority of the Pope.

Chapters should therefore provide frequent opportunities for their members and friends to meet together on a social basis, just to enjoy the company of other faithful Catholics who share their commitment to the faith and who are aware of the challenges facing the Church in our day. Such social meetings would also provide good opportunities for potential members to become more familiar with the chapter.

In order to maintain the interest of members, chapter meetings should be inspirational, educational, and enjoyable. Chapter meetings always include prayer. They should also normally include education on some aspect of the Catholic faith. Most chapters usually have refreshments and social conversation at the end of every meeting. Serious attention should be given to ensuring that this third aspect of the chapter meeting is sufficient both in time and quality to satisfy the desires of members for social interaction; it should be regarded as an integral part of the meeting itself, not as an addition to the meeting.

It may be very practical as well as desirable to restrict the formal treatment of chapter business to an executive committee, composed of chapter officers and committee chairmen. The executive committee could meet periodically to plan the general meetings, spiritual activities, educational programs (lectures, etc.), and to plan and direct chapter projects. In general, this is far more efficient and less time consuming than trying to conduct chapter business with the entire membership present. It would also relieve most members of the work of planning chapter projects.

We need the support of as many vibrant, dedicated Catholics as we can get. Experience indicates that many more of these will come to a lecture, a social event, or a devotional program (such as a holy hour) than will come to regular chapter business meetings. Also, there are many people who actively participate in chapter functions who, despite their close involvement with CUF, do not consider themselves CUF members. Such people should be strongly encouraged to become members, for the strength of CUF in supporting, defending, and advancing the efforts of the teaching Church consists largely in the numbers of Catholics who join and support our apostolate. »