Letters

Good example (letter)

Paul Foster

Contents - Jun 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Corpus Christi: at the core of the Faith - Michael Gilchrist Liturgy: New English Missal: Archbishop Pell to chair international Vox Clara committee - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Neocatechumenal Way setting up its second Australian seminary - Richard Egan Sydney initiative to strengthen Catholic influence at university - Robert Haddad A post-1968 Catholic's view of R.E.: 'My generation was shortchanged' - Mark Power Moral leadership of American hierarchy under scrutiny at Rome meeting - Philip Lawler Following our baptismal calling takes courage - Chrism Mass homily - Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett How John Paul II's 'new springtime' came to an American parish - Elizabeth A. Wittman Pope John Paul II on Catholic Action (from Ecclesia in Oceania) - Pope John Paul II Letters: IVF expansion (letter) - Brian A. Coman Letters: Father Fessio (letter) - P.A. McKenna Letters: An exemplary priest (letter) - John Monaghan Letters: Heroic fantasy (letter) - Hal G.P. Colebatch Events: Talks on the Faith at Thomas More Centre - AD2000 Letters: Good example (letter) - Paul Foster Letters: Radio apostolate (letter) - Maureen Federico Letters: Inclusive language (letter) - George F. Simpson Letters: Accuracy (letter) - Fr John Crothers PP Letters: Excellent edition (letter) - Anne Boyce Letters: Ambiguities (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: Latin Course (letter) - Rev V.I. Falconer SJ Letters: (letter) Letters: Latin Masses in Victoria (letter) - William Campbell Books: 'Right And Reason: Ethics in theory and practice', by Fr Austin Fagothey SJ - Michael Casanova (reviewer) Books: 'Socrates Meets Jesus', by Peter Kreeft - Arthur N. Ballingall (reviewer) Books: The Travels of Friar Odoric, 14th Century journal of Blessed Odoric of Pordenone - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: A reason for mercy: healing post-abortion trauma - Anne R. Lastman

It was refreshing to read in the edited text of Archbishop Hart's address on, "The rights and responsibilities of laity in the Catholic Church", a reference to leaving the Church to do our thinking for us.

For those of us who were brought up in the forties and fifties, it was very evident that the Catechism of the time, in its simple question-answer format, did not leave much room for thinking outside the rather narrow parameters within which Catholics were expected to practise their faith. There certainly was an emphasis on obedience, and even an inclination to regard thinking on matters of faith and morals as a process that was expected to lead to very specific, approved outcomes.

Could the claim be made that many church leaders and followers were more concerned with the letter of the law rather than the heart of the law?

It was clear that, prior to the Second Vatican Council, a hostile attitude to what was considered unquestioning obedience by the laity resulted in widespread defections from the Church, a trend which the Council's recommendations seemed unable to stop, and which has since continued. It is probably no coincidence that some of the Church's most vitriolic critics are lapsed Catholics.

It seems to me that there has now been recognition of the need for good example through prayer and good works by clergy and laity, a process, which as Archbishop Hart has stated, will enable us "... gradually, yet persistently, to change all of this temporal, passing world so that it comes to reflect God's will ...".

Such change may well not be significant within our own lifetime, but even at this point in time, there is evidence of such prayer and good works having a positive effect throughout the world.

My main concern is that so many deprive themselves of Our Lord's presence within them through their absence from Mass. Yet, by the same token, might not Our Lord be requiring from us, who are privileged to enjoy His presence, continued prayer and good example, as our mission for the salvation of the souls of others? This, surely, will be the best way to reflect the love of Christ within us for all His creatures.

To that end, let us not focus on criticism and blame for current malaises, but rather let our example and conduct reflect the presence of God within us. We can then trust in Him to do the rest.

PAUL FORSTER
Croydon North, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 5 (June 2002), p. 15