Theme:
How Can We Rebuild Our Church?
“Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.” This was the call of Jesus heard by St. Francis of Assisi. We in our time too, see that the Church is falling into ruin.
Church leaders blame the advance of secularism for the falling away from the practice of religion. There is a perception that Church leaders themselves have drifted away from the way of life revealed by Jesus Christ. What has happened to the new commandment of love? What do men and women, young people, see today when they look at the Catholic Church? What impression does it create? And does it matter who ministers, who celebrates, who decides, if Christian communities have no future?
Early in its history the Church organized itself as a monarchy. Those who adopt such styles of authority are not known for their openness and transparency, nor for their inclusiveness. They speak in language understood by few. They do not understand the anxieties and concerns of ordinary people. This can be changed.
The Catholic Church is one of the bearers of the message of Christ. Within that community can be proposed, especially to our young people, a belief and a purposeful way of life based on the teaching of Christ and his example of generous service.
We celebrate in 2012 the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. The plans for commencing the repair of the house of God may be found in the documents of that inspiring Council.