Post by fergalmj on Aug 2, 2010 19:37:06 GMT
I receive my preview of the Irish Catholic newspaper this morning which tries to give us a flavour of what is coming up in Thursdays issue. The second headline told of a new association of Catholic Priests that was in the making. Immediately I had visions of clerics uniting together to defend Orthodox Catholic values and practices. As I began to read this is what I learned: "A new priests' movement is being planned to push for a reformation within Irish Catholicism. The push, which will include a call for the Church to re-evaluate its teaching on sexuality as well as "an equal place for women in all areas of Church life" is the brainchild of three prominent priests."
Even though my heart sank deeply, I should have known better. Having watched that excuse of a 'Would you Believe special' on RTE which ran with the title "A faith in crisis", I had resigned myself to thinking that we are not to expect much in the way of proper renewal within the Church for some time to come. If anything we are to prepare ourselves for further disappointments and scandals with respect to 'faith development'. I thought I had seen it all. These 3 prominent priests whose names I can probable guess are simply jumping on the bandwagon of what is very misguided and ignorant opinion. Yes people are angry and rightly so. I have no problem with this anger and even feel it myself. What I have problems with is the fact that justifiable anger is being communicated through deep seated ignorance. I do not use the term ignorance as a derogatory term but one that communicates a lack of knowledge. The ignorance that is now sprouting from this anger must be challenged, corrected and rebutted. Who in this country is going to do it? How is it to be done? What we are witnessing is the domination of what is called 'vincible ignorance', and this ignorance i.e. that which can be corrected must be met head on and challenged by moral diligence. There's the challenge of renewal right there.
In my opinion ignorance is having it's day. Ignorance is being listened to by those who should know better. Ignorance is now credible in the Church. When you see Bishops nodding at what they know is off the scale in terms of faith and morals then you know the depth of the problem that faces true renewal. Ignorance is breeding at an alarming rate, and it's voice is being heard above the silent prayers and devotions of those who are with Peter. Yet, we must have no fear. Yes, the current dominance of ignorance is a lot to put up and causes deep hurt, but it is transient. True and holy faith will remain when all else has passed. This has been proven over the centuries. So again we look forward with silent trust in God.
Shortly after I had read this headline and taster, I then read an entry from Fr Tim Finigan's blog "The Hermeneutic of Continuity" in which he reported on a open letter of support from some British Priests for the Holy Father and his visit to Britian. The letter was penned by Fr. Ray Blake and is open to Priests to add their signatures. In the letter Fr Blake mentions the possibility of setting up something along the lines of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy which operates in Australia.
The ACCC is constituted under statutes in conforming with the 1983 Code of Canon Law under Canon 278.1, which states "Secular clergy have the right of association with others for the achievement of purposes befitting the clerical state." Now here's the best part. The Aims of the ACCC are to
give glory and honour to the Most Blessed Trinity
assist the eternal salvation and holiness of members
foster unity among Catholic priests and deacons with the bishops in loyalty
to the Supreme Magisterium
encourage faithfulness to priestly life and ministry
assist bishops, priests, and deacons in the fulfilment of their ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and ruling.
Isn't that so edifying?? I wonder why this association lasted and the Irish model died away??? And if you think that's good look at the next paragraph:
"Motions presented to the AGM shall be in total accord with the Code of Canon Law, with the Magisterium and the faith and morals of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, and in utter obedience to and reflecting respect for and reverence toward the authority, position and person of the Supreme Pontiff, the Vicar of Christ and Bishop of Rome, and the Bishops teaching in union with him."
Could you imagine the reaction to Irish clergy, religious or laity who stood up and said that they were going to form a group of clerics who espoused the above noble values? The ridicule, the mockery, the martyrdom....... noble fruits indeed. Could there be even a handful of priests, religious and laity in Ireland who are willing to stand up now, grab the rudder of the Irish Catholic Church and with all their strength steer the into the wake of the Barque of Peter? Yes the wake is a turbulent area but the course is set and the destination certain.
Now Priests of Ireland. We are at a watershed moment in the history of the Catholic Church in Ireland and you are being given a choice in the way you go forward from here. This is most definitely a sheep and goats moment. I wonder which side each would choose?
Even though my heart sank deeply, I should have known better. Having watched that excuse of a 'Would you Believe special' on RTE which ran with the title "A faith in crisis", I had resigned myself to thinking that we are not to expect much in the way of proper renewal within the Church for some time to come. If anything we are to prepare ourselves for further disappointments and scandals with respect to 'faith development'. I thought I had seen it all. These 3 prominent priests whose names I can probable guess are simply jumping on the bandwagon of what is very misguided and ignorant opinion. Yes people are angry and rightly so. I have no problem with this anger and even feel it myself. What I have problems with is the fact that justifiable anger is being communicated through deep seated ignorance. I do not use the term ignorance as a derogatory term but one that communicates a lack of knowledge. The ignorance that is now sprouting from this anger must be challenged, corrected and rebutted. Who in this country is going to do it? How is it to be done? What we are witnessing is the domination of what is called 'vincible ignorance', and this ignorance i.e. that which can be corrected must be met head on and challenged by moral diligence. There's the challenge of renewal right there.
In my opinion ignorance is having it's day. Ignorance is being listened to by those who should know better. Ignorance is now credible in the Church. When you see Bishops nodding at what they know is off the scale in terms of faith and morals then you know the depth of the problem that faces true renewal. Ignorance is breeding at an alarming rate, and it's voice is being heard above the silent prayers and devotions of those who are with Peter. Yet, we must have no fear. Yes, the current dominance of ignorance is a lot to put up and causes deep hurt, but it is transient. True and holy faith will remain when all else has passed. This has been proven over the centuries. So again we look forward with silent trust in God.
Shortly after I had read this headline and taster, I then read an entry from Fr Tim Finigan's blog "The Hermeneutic of Continuity" in which he reported on a open letter of support from some British Priests for the Holy Father and his visit to Britian. The letter was penned by Fr. Ray Blake and is open to Priests to add their signatures. In the letter Fr Blake mentions the possibility of setting up something along the lines of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy which operates in Australia.
The ACCC is constituted under statutes in conforming with the 1983 Code of Canon Law under Canon 278.1, which states "Secular clergy have the right of association with others for the achievement of purposes befitting the clerical state." Now here's the best part. The Aims of the ACCC are to
give glory and honour to the Most Blessed Trinity
assist the eternal salvation and holiness of members
foster unity among Catholic priests and deacons with the bishops in loyalty
to the Supreme Magisterium
encourage faithfulness to priestly life and ministry
assist bishops, priests, and deacons in the fulfilment of their ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and ruling.
Isn't that so edifying?? I wonder why this association lasted and the Irish model died away??? And if you think that's good look at the next paragraph:
"Motions presented to the AGM shall be in total accord with the Code of Canon Law, with the Magisterium and the faith and morals of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, and in utter obedience to and reflecting respect for and reverence toward the authority, position and person of the Supreme Pontiff, the Vicar of Christ and Bishop of Rome, and the Bishops teaching in union with him."
Could you imagine the reaction to Irish clergy, religious or laity who stood up and said that they were going to form a group of clerics who espoused the above noble values? The ridicule, the mockery, the martyrdom....... noble fruits indeed. Could there be even a handful of priests, religious and laity in Ireland who are willing to stand up now, grab the rudder of the Irish Catholic Church and with all their strength steer the into the wake of the Barque of Peter? Yes the wake is a turbulent area but the course is set and the destination certain.
Now Priests of Ireland. We are at a watershed moment in the history of the Catholic Church in Ireland and you are being given a choice in the way you go forward from here. This is most definitely a sheep and goats moment. I wonder which side each would choose?