Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: John Tierney, (Anniv).
11.00: Patsy Simon, (Anniv).
6.30: Elizabeth Didsbury, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin delivered himself of some profound thoughts this week, to the now predictable media acclaim. He was widely commended in these circles for his 'insight', his 'objectivity' and his 'bravery'. But a closer scrutiny of the text tends to dissipate one's initial enthusiasm!

He was invited by a very safe and sedate group, the Knights of St. Columbanus, to address them on the 'umbrella' topic, "The Future of the Catholic Church in Ireland." The topic is both sufficiently vague and sufficiently broad to serve as a springboard for some promising reflections. While he did have some useful and reflective things to say, the address was dominated by a number of unfocused rants! Early on in his speech, he had the following confession to make:

On a purely personal level, as Diarmuid Martin, I have never since becoming Archbishop of Dublin felt so disheartened and discouraged about the level of willingness to really begin what is going to be a painful path of renewal and of what is involved in that renewal.

The source of discouragement in this case seems to be 'an unwillingness to begin...renewal.' Two obvious and related questions: First, where did Archbishop Martin find this unwillingness, this resistance? Is it within his own diocese, among his fellow bishops, or within the Vatican itself? Bill Murphy of Kerry has more or less stood up and asked: 'Is it I, Lord?' Until this is clarified, the shadow of suspicion falls everywhere. This is, I fear, now characteristic of the archbishop's style: throw the grenade into the crowded room and then ask the intended targets to pull the pin themselves! But he won't identify the targets. ('The targets know themselves who they are!' He seems to say.) He used the same ploy when lecturing his auxiliaries bishops to 'take responsibility'. He refused to name names, but was careful to leave the deadly grenade lying on the floor at the same time. It is understandable that he would vent his frustrations in public; but surely he could do so without pointing the finger of suspicion at innocent people.

The second related question is: What does Archbishop Martin mean by renewal? Does he mean 'reform'? Because, in Church circles, 'reform' and 'progress' are not always synonymous. For example, there are many powerful figures in the Church today for whom 'reform' means a return to pre- Vatican II liturgical practices. (This group does enjoy the sympathetic indulgence of the present Holy Father). For others, however, 'reform' will mean an end to compulsory celibacy, the introduction of married clergy, and women priests and bishops, and various other elements from the so-called 'A la Carte Catholic' menu. We can't presume that all those clamouring for Reform, or those resisting Reform, have the same reality in mind.

Archbishop Martin is now six years in the job. This is, as some have noted, longer than the term served by an American President or any modern Prime Minister. If our Taoiseach complained that, after six years of his stewardship, 'Nothing much is happening', I know what the reaction of the media would be! You've talked the talk! Now walk the walk!

-Dick Lyng

Items of Great Interest

"Quotable Quotes...."

MUSICAL & OTHER MATTERS

Jack's Big Day

Jack

Pictured Here is Jack Owens and his Dad Sean celebrating Jack's First Communion Day on Saturday week last, May 8th.

Congratulations, Jack. You were the real star!

GENUINE NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

THE SAINTLY RABBI

An old Rabbi was lying dangerously ill in his bed and his disciples were holding a reverend, whispered conversation by his bedside. They were extolling his unrivalled virtues.

"Not since the time of Solomon has there been one as wise as he," said one of them tearfully. "And his faith! It equals that of our father Abraham!" said another.

"Surely his patience surpasses that of Job," said a third. "Only in Moses can we find someone who conversed as intimately with God," said a fourth.

The rabbi seemed restless. When his disciples had gone, his wife said to him, "Did you actually hear them sing your praises?" "I did indeed," said the rabbi. "Then why are you so worried?" asked the wife.

"My modesty," complained the rabbi. "Not one of them mentioned my great modesty!"

-From Anthony de Mello.

Top

Valid HTML 4.01 Strict