Travel and Transformation

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from August 21 , 2005
In a time of transformation, the style of hierarchical leadership must change.

"You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church."

TODAY'S READINGS REFLECT on authority and leadership within the Church.

I spent some time this summer in Inchigeela, my home. Our parish used to boast three priests. Now, because of the scarcity of vocations, it has been reduced to one. Through this change and the energetic work of a dynamic pastor, Fr Kieran, there is an increased level of lay involvement. An active parish council was established and a variety of ministries. On Fr Kieran's transfer, one of the hurlers on the fence who did not take kindly to the meddling laity, declared, "I hope the new man will get rid of the money changers and the thimble-riggers in the temple!" However, the cleansing of the temple did not take place. The engagement of the laity is here to stay.

I returned home via Boston where the church finds itself engulfed in new challenges. On the heels of the mishandled sex abuse scandal came the issue of parish closings. The Vatican has just ruled in favor of the aggrieved laity that the Archbishop cannot arrogate to the diocese the assets of the closed parishes, without first seeking the permission of the pastors. Of course the pastors are also obligated to consult the parish finance councils required by canon law. The crisis has served to strengthen the sense of ownership of the laity within the life of the church.

In a time of transformation, the style of hierarchical leadership must change. The new archbishop of Dublin in his maiden address stressed that he had come not only to teach, but also to listen.

Pope Benedict was asked by a gathering of priest in Italy about the suffering of divorced Catholics and their desire for the Eucharist. In his answer he stated, "The pope is not a prophet, and speaks infallibly only in rare circumstances." He has asked for further study of the situation.

In a similar way Pope Benedict in his addresses last week in Germany spoke of dialogue, speaking and listening. Addressing representatives of 30 Christian confessions he said, "It is the Lord's command, but also the imperative of the present hour, to carry on dialogue, with conviction, at all levels of the Church's life." Recalling the Vatican Council's push to Catholic-Jewish relationship, Benedict expressed his desire "to encourage sincere and trustful dialogue between Christians and Jews." This morning's papers carry his plea for Catholics and Muslims to unite against terror.

Perhaps there may be some good in the removal of the clergy from their pedestals. In an attitude of humility we all need to come to the Lord for the guidance we need. Peter was chosen as the rock, because he was the first to recognize the Lordship of Jesus. "For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?" Clergy and laity alike-we need to search out the wisdom of the Lord together, listening to the circumstances of our age in dialogue with