Let The Dialogues Begin

To the Editor,

When someone “responds” to a statement previously made in a column such as this, I would expect that the responding letter would either lend support to, or disagree with, the former. With this in mind, Ms Kathy Pond (03/07) seems to have totally agreed with my assessment of a worshipping community having the right to put anything it wishes into a parish bulletin – and that’s precisely what I said. What Ms Pond might have done (her seemingly defensive tone notwithstanding) would have been to develop a few suitable arguments to challenge the latter portion of my letter, namely, that the “reasons given” for a male only, celibate clerical state, were unfounded either in sacred scripture or unwritten tradition. She never addressed this issue but neither has the hierarchy of the religious body she is so wont to defend. In fact, she appears to assume that to attempt an honest dialogue on questions such as these make one suspect of “disobedience” or disloyalty. Such would support the skeptics’ ongoing view of any religion as “to pray, pay and obey.” The admonition here remains, at least in the hearts of many fine Roman Catholics (and I’m certain that Ms Pond is one), “Roma locuta est” – Rome has spoken… and y’all better listen up. I would suggest that in countless instances over the years, “Populi locuti sunt” – The People have spoken… and Rome needs to listen. Vatican Council II reminded us for the past 35 or so years that we (the people) are the church. Perhaps we should begin putting into practice what we profess to believe.

Consider all of the reformers of the past who died for their faith (either physically, emotionally, socially or ecclesiastically) and recall all of the Gallileos and Teillards de Chardens, etc. who were denounced by the hierarchy who didn’t have a clue about their theories. Yet, as with Martin Luther and the brothers Wesley, no one less than the Pope himself, humbly begs forgiveness for the ill manner of their treatment…

What a magnificent time in which we live. We can speak out without being burned at the stake or being banned to some godforsaken penal colony. It is Lent, my friends, and we gladly remake the journey of the Cross. However, as Christians, we should never forget that the Spirit of God has already set us free. And lest you think I am unfairly picking on only one particular church, I assure you that I am not (some of my best friends are of this community!).

I have not, yet, witnessed a formally established religious community (church, synagogue, mosque or the like) where faith, hope and love truly abound. Perhaps this is left to the coming kingdom; yet, each of us, equally, has an opportunity to help it happen here. Let the dialogues begin!

The Reverend Leo McIlrath

Corpus Christi: a catholic community

13 Sugarloaf Road, Sandy Hook                                   March 14, 2000