Catholic Church needs total reform

The current crisis facing the Catholic Church arising out of sexual abuse is arguably the most serious challenge the Church has faced since the Reformation in the 16th century. The response must in the first instance be clearly focussed on the victims of such abuse, their families and other secondary victims. The untold damage done to innocent people and its life-long consequences in many cases need to be clearly and honestly acknowledged. I am pleased where every effort is being made to see that justice is done for those affected and where all possible measures are being taken to bring about healing and reparation.  

In responding to sexual and other forms of abuse within the Church it is not enough to concentrate on the sinfulness and failure of those guilty of abuse. It is not just a question of individual repentance but a total systemic reform of Church structures which is needed. An ecclesiastical environment which allowed such aberrant behaviour can no longer be tolerated. Bishop Geoffrey Robinson in his 2007 book “Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church“ came to the unshakeable belief “that within the Catholic Church there absolutely must be profound and enduring change”. Hardly a day goes by without me hearing a cry from the heart for such change from people who truly love the Church, young and old, male and female, lay people, priests and religious. During this Year for Priests, many of my colleagues around Australia are crying out for credible leadership from the hierarchy which involves more than mere words. I am certain that these pleas will be heard when the National Council of Priests meets in Parramatta next July.

Yet, people often feel that no one is listening to their concerns. Groups calling for reform are regularly dismissed as trouble-makers with little love for the Church when in fact their hearts are breaking for the Church which they see as drifting further away from the message of the Jesus. Maybe it has taken this present crisis to bring us all to our senses.  

In 1996, I gave a talk in which I expressed my hopes for the Catholic Church. They were that it would be

• a more human Church
• a humbler Church
• a less clerical Church
• a more inclusive Church (and therefore more truly catholic)
• a more open Church
• a Church which finds unity in diversity
• a Church which discovers its whole tradition
• a Church which truly reflects the person and values of Jesus.

I have restated these hopes many times since, including at the Oceania Synod of Bishops in Rome in 1998 in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the future Pope Benedict XVI and  my brother bishops. Surely such aspirations are even more pressing today.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) called by Pope John XXIII provided so many opportunities for reform by empowering the laity as part of the People of God, engaging with the modern world, other Churches and non-Christian religions, promoting religious freedom, encouraging greater participation in the liturgy, enabling all to have a deeper relationship with God. Unfortunately, these days we are more likely to be warned of the “excesses following Vatican II” or told of the need for “reform of the reform” in regard to the liturgy or the “re-interpretation of Vatican II”.

The reform needed by the Church today will involve much more than just “tinkering around the edges”. Issues such as the authoritarian nature of the Church, compulsory celibacy for the clergy, the participation of women in the Church, the teaching on sexuality in all aspects cannot be brushed aside. Listening must be a key component of reform and at times that will involve listening to unpalatable truths. It needs to be recognised that all wisdom does not reside exclusively in the present all male leadership of the Church and that the voices of the faithful must be heard.

At Easter I pointed out that it was largely Jesus’ female disciples who stood by him dying on Calvary, that Mary Magdalene was the first witness to the resurrection and that she could legitimately be called an apostle in that she was sent to bring the good news to the other followers of Jesus. I wondered aloud if the Church would be in its present state of crisis if women had been part of the decision-making in the life of the Church.

There may be people who question the views I am espousing, but I wish to re-state that there is a whole body of faithful Catholics who are saying “enough is enough” and that we all need to grasp this opportunity to enable the Church to be its best self in bringing the message of Jesus to its own adherents and to the wider society.

Pat Power

Bishop Pat Power is the auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn. This article was first published in The Canberra Times, april 23, 2010.

Reacties

Een hartverwarmend en ongewoon helder pleidooi voor hervorming van de Kerk. Het feit dat hier en daar ook bisschoppen het lef hebben om hiervoor te pleiten, zou het idee kunnen oproepen dat de noodzaak tot kerkhervorming tot de hiërarchie begint door te dringen. Dat zou ook reden tot de hoop kunnen geven dat van daaruit praktische initiatieven zijn te verwachten. Dat lijkt me echter ijdele hoop zolang wij als gelovigen niet zelf toekomen aan een hervorming van ons (geloofs)leven. Het wordt mij steeds duidelijker dat het geloofsleven van velen - ook van kritische gelovigen - blijft steken in oude opvattingen en patronen, ondanks hun oprechte verlangen naar verandering. Als wij geloven dat wij samen de Kerk zijn, het 'Volk Gods onderweg', en dat de Geest in ieder van ons leeft, dan staat of valt de Kerk met óns geloof en de wijze waarop wíj daaraan gestalte geven. Willen wij hervormingen, dan wordt het de hoogste tijd dat wij de werking van de Geest in ons serieus nemen en leren verstaan.
Hans van der Horst - Vianen

Geweldig artikel!!! Voor 100% herkenning van mijn gedachten hierover. Echter ook mooie gedachten en woorden verliezen hun waarde als ze niet worden gevolgd door daden Ik ben al decennia een roepende in de woestijn Welke autoriteit en/of instelling vat de koe bij de horens???
B.J. Woorts - Hollandsche Rading

Reglement

• Alle reacties worden vóór publicatie door de redactie beoordeeld. Wij behouden ons het recht voor reacties te weigeren of in te korten zonder opgaaf van redenen.
• Een inzending mag maximaal 1000 tekens bevatten en moet goed leesbaar zijn.
• Lees andere inzendingen zodat u in uw reactie niet in herhaling vervalt maar nieuwe argumenten geeft. De reactie moet inhoudelijk zijn en iets waardevols toevoegen aan het artikel. Dus bijvoorbeeld geen agressief taalgebruik.

Naam
E-mailadres
Plaats
Uw reactie		Gebruik maximaal 1000 tekens. U hebt nog 1000 tekens tekens.
Captcha

Terug naar "De katholieke kerk is toe aan een grondige en blijvende hervorming" | Naar boven