Eric Hodgens, retired Melbourne priest, asks how we might construct church leadership in a changed world.
Clericalism is on everyone’s lips. The pope decries it. Australia’s Royal Commission judged it a major factor contributing to child sex abuse by priests. Some bishops have joined the chorus denouncing it, even though other bishops resentfully bite their tongues.
Aengus Kavanagh FSP, Patrician Brother, Ryde, NSW suggests that with a little tweaking, parish councils could assist in offering a stabilising force in a church in uncertain times.
Over fifty years ago, five of the main documents of the Second Vatican Council made reference to a structure for more intentional and active participation of the laity in the mission of the Church. As a significant break from tradition, this was a main stimulus for the emergence of Diocesan and Parish Pastoral Councils in the life of the Catholic Church.
Kevin Burke, Parish Priest of Eltham, Victoria, offered these reflections at the launch of his book Even God Smiled on 14 October in the Community Centre of the Eltham Parish Primary School. You can obtain a copy by sending $40 (includes postage) to Kevin Burke, PO Box 310, Eltham VIC 3095.
Sr Mary Farrelly SM, who works in a country setting, reflects on the Catholic culture in the Australian bush from John O’Brien’s Around the Boree Log to today’s family based faith.
Fr Pat Flanagan, Red Cliffs, Victoria, reflects on the development of Pope Francis’ thinking on women through his willingness to learn.
Very soon after Jorge Bergoglio was elected bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, Robert Mickens pointed out two blind spots in the new pope’s thinking. One was the matter of sexual abuse of minors committed by clergy. He did not see it as a big issue. The other concerned the place of women in the Church.
