Below is a letter from one of our Parishioners to Cardnial Maida.  You will also find a letter from the Vicar to Cardinal Maida on the Vicar Communications Page near the bottom of that page.                                                                                                   April 14, 2005     Cardinal Adam Maida Archdiocese of Detroit 1234 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI48226     Dear Cardinal Maida:   I am writing to you as a concerned member of St Rene Parish.   The greatest legacy of Vatican II is the empowerment of the People of God. That Council which involved the participation of almost 3000 cardinals, bishops and others voted almost unanimously to approve a document on Religious Liberty. In effect, this Council stated that no institution, no state, no religion may intrude in the individuals free exercise of conscience.  This Council further enjoined the People of God to speak out fearlessly and courageously on matters impacting the Church in accordance with the charisms given each person by the Holy Spirit.  These tenets were formally promulgated by Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI.   As a consequence of Vatican II there are now two kinds of Catholics. There are Cathedral Catholics (pray, pay, and obey Catholics) and there are Conscience Catholics. I dont believe further definition need be given for Cathedral Catholics.  Conscience Catholics come in all shapes and sizes.  Some examples would be useful here: 1. sixty priests in the Archdiocese of Boston initiated an action declaring they could no longer show fealty to their cardinal because of his involvement in the pedophilia scandal.  2. A similar number of priests in the Milwaukee Archdiocese initiated a joint communication that they would no longer tolerate Vatican issued statements which demean homosexuality, insisting God loves all.   The People of God at St Rene Parish have been emboldened by these Vatican II declaratives to speak out against what is seen as major devastation of a vibrant Catholic Community. They believe that their rightful prerogatives have been trampled asunder by the assignment of a priest who has shown reckless disregard for established practices for parish governance. These persons are Conscience Catholics who believe that a gross miscarriage of justice has been visited upon them. Concerned persons at St Rene have created a website entitled: Save St Rene and information is contained therein describing these injustices.  I urge you to examine this website to inform yourself.   It would be evident even to the casual observer that these injustices are so irrational and egregious that justice can only be served by you taking action to make these persons who have been harmed "whole". It is imperative that the Archdiocese review its priestly assignment procedures to determine what went wrong.   For my part, I wish to enthusiastically join these Conscience Catholics in solidarity with them demanding you take action.   I shall not sit idly by and permit these injustices to go unpunished.  My Catholic ethic has always taught me that the more you have been given the more accountable you are.  We as the People of God have a decisive role in achieving justice in this case, and be assured that WE ARE THE CHURCH AND WE SHALL BE HEARD.   I am not unmindful of the daunting task that faces you as shepherd of the archdiocese in light of the critical priestly shortage, internationally.  You certainly have my prayers as you deal with this crisis and I know you have the prayers of the people of St Rene Parish.   With every good wish.   Sincerely yours,   B.P. Rutkowski