VIII

Amy, You're right, listening is crucial.  But listening, though necessary, is not sufficient.  You're certainly also right that the Church must make the Good News known in a way that is beautiful, attactive, and meaningful.  The Church fails to do her work when the message is lost in transmission, and too often, due to the negligence or incompetence of the pastors, this happens.  But what the Church has, that we as individuals do not, is the capacity authoritatively to hand on the deposit of the faith.  What I hear, out on this limb, is a lot of people, you not among them, who despair because there is no way from here to the truth.  Thanks to you, Steve, Rich, and so many others for opening up and pursuing this discussion!

PMB