A New Model from Detroit

As a young coadjutor bishop in Pittsburgh, Archbishop John F. Dearden of Detroit earned the nickname "Iron John" for his firm administrative style. Last week Iron John Dearden, one of four new American cardinals chosen by the Pope, proved that he is a man of much more flexible steel. He approved a long list of recommendations, put forward by a lay-dominated synod, that makes Detroit a model of democratically guided reform in the post-Vatican II church.

The changes range from diocesan government to such unusual subjects as the responsibility of individual Catholics to form their own attitudes on the morality of war. Dearden replaced his centralized chancery office with 25 regional vicariates, which will take care of the needs of the archdiocese's 1,500,000 Catholics. The vicars will have the wide powers once reserved to chancery specialists, leaving the archbishop freer for broader pastoral duties.

Other changes are designed to meet urban problems. Mass may be said any hour, day or night. New church buildings are to be simple in design and modest in appointments. Priests may replace the traditional vestments during services with other dress appropriate "to the worshiping community." It was laid down as a basic principle of church government that "all members of the parish community are to share in decision making," specifically in such areas as liturgy, education and finances.

Even more unusual are the changes in attitude urged by the new guidelines. "It remains each man's burden in conscience," says one section of the recommendations report, "to decide the rectitude of his country's policies as a world power, or its involvement in the armament race, or its participation in wars against other men. And the decision of his conscience must be made known by every legitimate means, but especially by the exercise of his vote."

Probably the most remarkable thing about the recommendations was how they came about. Two years ago, Dearden created a diocesan synod to discuss such changes. More than 80,000 adult participants, working in 7,200 groups at 335 parishes, made more than 65,000 proposals. It took a computer and nine commissions to sift them into their final form. Even now, said Dearden at a special Mass of thanksgiving last week, the changes were not to be considered "a goal achieved, but a beginning."

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