Letters

Inclusive language

Ottavio Kos

Contents - Apr 2006 - Buy a copy now Editorial: New cardinals: Benedict XVI signals his intentions - Michael Gilchrist Conscience: Dissenters' appeal to Rome 'a real hoot' says Cardinal Pell - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Books: Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church EarthSong: Green Christianity or a new paganism? - Michael Gilchrist Salesian Missions: Cardinal Pell visits East Timor - Michael Lynch SDB Creation: Intelligent Design and the war against God - Stephen Hitchings The Domestic Church: The Christian Family Movement: re-evangelising through families - Leslie Sammut Has just punishment had its day? - Fr Matthew Kirby 1973 Decree: A Fourth Rite of Reconciliation for Queensland? - AD2000 Music and Culture: Benedict XVI, Mozart and the quest for beauty - Mark Freer Letters: Religious education - Saskia Ebejer Letters: Action needed - Kevin McBride Letters: New Age - Yana Di Pietro and Magenta Ray Letters: Translations - George Simpson Letters: National suicide - Greg O'Regan Letters: Anti-life politicians - Robert Bom Letters: RU486 - Brian Harris Letters: Courageous example - Arnold Jago Letters: Inclusive language - Ottavio Kos Letters: Overseas priests - Peter Gilet Letters: Leadership needed - Tom King Letters: Church of England - Jim Turley Letters: Religious life - Barbara Chigwidden Books: Swear To God: The Promise and Powers of the Sacraments, by Scott Hahn - Jacinta Cummins (reviewer) Books: Mother Angelica, by Raymond Arroyo - Stephen Hitchings (reviewer) Books: Fr Martin D'Arcy: Philosopher of Christian Love, by H.J.A. Sire - Michael E. Daniel Events: Holy Week 2006: Classical Roman Rite in Melbourne Books: Stimulating reading from AD Books Reflection: The redeeming Cross: at the centre of Christian faith - Cardinal George Pell

I really don't know what Dr P.F. Gill's problem could be ("Gender neutral", March AD2000).

If he doesn't like the inclusive language in his own Archdiocese of Hobart, let him come over and join the "women and men" of the "great family of humankind" in one parish of the Melbourne Archdiocese.

There, as a "co-celebrant" of Sunday Eucharistic "celebrations" he will be pleased to pray for "our deceased partners", while during the homily he'll learn that St Joseph was Mary's "confused partner".

During the Gospel reading, Dr Gill will hear about the judge who feared "neither God nor humanity" and who, on his own admission, feared "neither God nor human beings."

He will also be pleased to hear the words of Christ in calling the Twelve: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of people." And during the Second Reading he will have heard how St Paul - not to be outdone - brags about being "all things to all people".

At Communion, he will be invited by the "presider" to stride forth and assist with the distribution: "Can we have two more ministers?"

Unlike Dr Gill, I'm looking forward to beyond Easter, to the day when, in a sense, there won't be any more priests, since we'll all be priests. Already we are "co-celebrants" - the priest being merely the "presider".

OTTAVIO KOS
Watsonia, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 3 (April 2006), p. 16