FR Coley McKenzie (CL 6/7/03), in his criticism of the synod, goes to the heart of the matter when he proposes that we need ‘animated dynamic leadership, committed to a total renewal program’.
Like many of us he admits that he does not know how this is to be done but we have to search for direction, etc.
We agree with this admission of ignorance. It means that we all have to step out in faith into the unknown to ‘Let go, and let God’.
Leadership must inspire people to discern their God-given gifts and then allow them to use them to perform miracles.
This is just what Jesus did with the disciples, both men and women. He did not hinder them by saying don’t do such and such because the temple authorities won’t like it.
He allowed his followers to get ideas and try them out, as when he sent them out to preach with only the clothes they were wearing.
He allowed them to make mistakes as he did with Peter, the leader of the band. Then suddenly he was gone and the boys and girls had to make their own decisions.
Leadership does not occur by some sort of magic. It comes because enough people believe that they have the gift in some measure and can recognise its perfection in a very gifted leader.
Such a person was Angelo Roncalli, the old Italian pastor who became John XXIII, a stopgap pope.
In the teeth of fierce opposition he called the Second Vatican Council and gave the bishops the freedom to act as leaders rather than as managers. They responded and started to bring the Church into the 20th century. The laity were treated like responsible adults for the first time since Jesus was around. Rome is currently reversing that process thanks to a subdued episcopacy.
McKenzie points out that to make the ‘liturgy become more vibrant, meaningful and inclusive’ we need the 30-50 year olds, who have already left the parishes.
We ask, even if we can get these people back to active participation, how can their initiative be encouraged with Rome wanting to curb local initiatives, as it did the local Third Rite? The returnees will just leave again!
PAT and LOIS O’SHEA
Virginia, Qld
