Tui Motu InterIslands May 1999 Price $4

The Year of the Father

TuiTui MotuMotu InterIslandsInterIslands 1 editorial

Fathers and Warriors

s I write it is Anzac Day. It reminds concern regarding the role of fathers, Contents Ame of my own father mutilated especially when they are absent from 2-3 ...editorials by one World War – and of memories the home. The issue is complex; a whole Tony Russell of the horrors of the Blitz in a second set of causes, related and unrelated, 4 ...letters one. Meantime we are constantly being have combined to make fatherhood a focus on fatherhood bombarded by images of yet another somewhat threatened vocation. The 5-7 ...The Year of the Father Janet Soskice bloody conflict in the Balkans – and advance of women’s rights against the 8-9 ...Being a father in 1999 the fears of a further conflagration in effects and legacy of patriarchy has been our own backyard, in East Timor. I am a wonderful and admirable feature of 10-11 ...The sacrament of everyday also reminded of another anniversary this age. But it has often left the male living Dennis Horton which falls about this time: the bombing half of society in a state of guilt and 12-13 ...War and rumours of war of Dresden. It received little publicity uncertainty. The avalanche of sexual Pax Christi at the time. Only years later did it be- abuse cases where the guilty party is 14-15 ...Searching the soul of the land come publicly known that Dresden in nearly always the male, has added to Kevin Francis O’Connor 1945 was probably the most successful this sense of collective guilt, so that it is 16-17 ...A song of Christ ascending – example of ethnic cleansing ever: the almost impossible now to recruit males Paul Sorrell slaughter of 120,000 mostly innocent into professions which involve caring 18-19 ...Time to rehabilitate Mary civilians in a few minutes. for young children. Magdalen Susan Smith RNDM 20-21 ...Marching to a differnt tune It is human decisions that start wars and The traditional role of being a faithful Selwyn Dawson prosecute wars. People designed and Christian dad has never been so seri- 22-23 ...Sport – healthy recreation or new used the Atomic Bomb. A human strat- ously undermined. The good news is religion Mike Marshall egy devised the firestorm of Dresden. It that in spite of appalling publicity there 24-25 ...Acculturation in East Asia – interview with Kevin Toomey OP is Slobodon Milosevic who has decreed are still lots of males who continue to 26 ...Charles Davis: living the truth that hundreds of thousands of Kosovans happily share the joys and burden of Mary Eastham be driven from their homes and who raising a family with their spouses, and 27-29 ...reviews: Nicola McCloy, launched his military on a spree of rape to give their time unsparingly to sharing Jocelyn Harris, Gerald Pillay, Paul and pillage. Yet the Serbs are Orthodox the chores, coaching, supervising, or just Hitchfield, Winston Halapua Christians. And Clinton and Blair are playing – doing all those things which 30-31 ...Crosscurrents. Rome comment both church-going Christians. So what help make the childhood of another 32 ...Postscript Michael Noonan is happening to the gospel imperative generation a secure and joyous experi- of love? Dr Tony Russell (opposite) asks ence. The churches cannot do enough cover photo: Mary Ann Bishop this fundamental question as he seeks to to support fathers. look behind the traditional Christian ethic regarding the morality of war. he spectre of war and the vocation to fatherhood may seem to be Independent Catholic Magazine Ltd T his issue of the magazine, however, topics which are utterly unrelated. Yet P O Box 6404, Dunedin North Phone: 03 477 1449 Tis not primarily concerned with fundamentally they are? Virtually every Editor: Michael Hill, IC war. In view of the season and the Year man guilty of abuse has himself been Assistant Editor: Frances Skelton of the Father which Pope John Paul sometime the victim of abuse. Con- Illustrator: Don Moorhead decreed for 1999 in preparation for versely, strong and caring male figures Directors: the millennium, we have particularly help to shape our families, our parishes, Tom Cloher concentrated on human fatherhood neighbourhoods, indeed society itself as Annie Gray and what Christian faith does to put it it evolves. I wonder what sort of a child- Elizabeth Mackie, OP in religious context. It also is a topical hood Slobodon Milosevic had? Margaret May issue because there is growing social M.H. Judith McGinley, OP Ann Neven, RSJ Tui Motu welcomes discussion of spiritual, theological and social issues, in the light Paul Rankin, OP of gospel values and in the interest of a more peaceful and just society. Divergence Patricia Stevenson, RSJ of opinion is expected and will normally be published, although that does not neces- Printed by John McIndoe Ltd sarily imply editorial commitment to the viewpoint expressed.

2 Tui Motu InterIslands Make Love, not War! Tony Russell

ake love, not war was one of slo- the criteria which can justify taking lives destroyed? What if my neighbour – Mgans of the 1960s. For a genera- to save lives?” Most if not all these ques- the tyrant, the unjust aggressor, the tion which was witness and heir to war tions revolve around issues of justice. military or political dictator – violates in Europe, Korea and Vietnam, it was a the foundational command of agapaic cry which summed up an option to drop Justice per se is a human construct, in so love? What can I rightly do – in fact, out rather than become embroiled in a far as it is often relative to a variety of what must I rightly do – to restore world of international conflagrations. dimensions and contexts. Justice is also agapaic order? What am I commanded Beneath that option there was also a a ‘second tier’ virtue. It is one of cardinal to do to defend my life, and, above all, profound protest against the violence virtues (prudence, justice, temperance the life of my neighbour and so restore of war. and fortitude), rather than the theo- love – and justice? logical or God-given virtues (faith, hope Make love, not war also encapsulated and love – or agape). Arguing out the Moving the discourse about war away much of the history of Christian moral pros and cons of war purely in terms of from arguments founded on justice reasoning about war. Since Augustine justice is, in a way, short-circuiting the to arguments founded on agape does in the 5th Century, the Christian com- Christian ethical argument. Christian clarify the Christian moral posture. In munity has been debating the rationale reasoning must be ultimately founded the face of rape and pillage, of ethnic for legitimate defence of self and neigh- on the discourse about love (agape). If cleansing, murder and atrocity, the bour, and the criteria which can justify we approach war – is it justified or un- Christian cannot just stand by. When military violence. The heirs of Augustine justified? – purely from the perspective the violent and the unjust violate the – Aquinas, Suarez, Francesco di Vitoria, of justice, our arguments will ultimately foundational agapaic order, no matter and in recent times, Bernard Haring, be confused and insufficient. Our ar- what their motives, political beliefs or Bruce Kent, Gordon Zahn, Jacques El- guments must be founded on agapaic religious persuasions, I must act to re- lul and Richard McCormick, to name reasoning. store the agapaic order of things. but a few – have all added to the endless debate about justifiable warfare. he foundational order of agape is The means of restoration are going to be Tgenerated by the command of grim, confused, costly, violent and often The war in Kosovo and the NATO Christ to love our neighbour. The cos- plain distasteful. The consequences are bombing of Yugoslavia has brought mic firestorm of the Resurrection, as certainly going to be complex, even bit- the whole issue of justifiable war back Chardin says, renders the whole cosmos terly contestable. But, neither you nor to the front pages of our newspapers Christic. All things, all times and events, I can stand by and let the foundational and the top of the TV news. Tragically all activity is now in Christ, and must command of Christ be violated. . We we are back there once again: missiles, be subjected to his foundational law of are commanded to restore the agapaic “collateral damage”, ethnic cleansing, agapaic love. order. Are we, then, called to make love atrocities, the endless stream of bewil- – and war? ■ dered refugee faces, the international What if violent people invade my posturing and feinting, Ministers meet- home, and the lives of those I love are (Dr Tony Russell is Director of ing, press conferences, interviews with not merely threatened but even being Challenge 2000, Wellington) the ‘enemy’ on the streets of Belgrade. Nightly the TV counts down the Days. The Fifth Horseman Ethnic cleansing. It is my observation that in the face The Holocaust, Hutu slaughtering Tutsi of conflicts such as that in Yugoslavia, in Rwanda, the Armenian massacres Christians have a tendency to roll into in Turkey, the plight of the Kurds, the some sort of moral foetal position. In killing fields of Cambodia – and many other words, they are inclined to flinch more. And as we write Serbs are driving and even retreat before a barrage of trou- our Kosovans from their homeland, and bling questions. Some of these inter- Indonesian troops continue to ravage In the Book of Revelation Chapter 6 East Timor. rogatives revolve round such questions four ‘avenging’ horsemen are depicted, (See pp 12-13 for a war report from as “Can war ever be justified?” “Can representing conquest, famine, pesti- Pax Christi) Christians use evil means (warfare) to lence and war . Our age will surely be achieve a good end (peace)?” “What are remembered for conceiving a fifth –

Tui Motu InterIslands 3 letters

Where will the sun rise first in The Vatican and General the basis of that limited information, it 2000? Pinochet can appear to people that the Church is I am writing briefly re the article by It was reported in the press a few weeks supporting immunity from prosecution Simon Caldwell (Feb issue Tui Motu) ago that the Cardinal Secretary of State, for one who should be held to account about sunrise for the new millennium. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, had petitioned for human rights’ violations committed Now either Simon has his tongue in his the British government not to extradite ex- during his rule. It is claimed by some cheek, or he does not know his geogra- President Pinochet of Chile, to face charges that the Vatican’s intervention is incon- phy because the International Date Line of gross violation of human rights before sistent with the Church’s commitment (IDL) does not run down the 180th a Spanish Court (see April Tui Motu). to human rights and justice. And so, in meridian at Taveuni. By a convention the absence of better explanations than going back a very long time, it deviates those available so far, it is the Church’s to the east of the 180th meridian from credibility that can suffer. about 5 degrees South latitude and “Some Catholics simply distinguish then runs close to the line of longitude let- between the Church’s teaching role 172 degrees West until south of the ✍ in matters of faith and morals, and its Chatham Islands where it then angles interventions of a more political kind... back to rejoin the 180th meridian at Our more immediate concern is to be about 51 degrees South latitude. Tui Motu enquired if there had been any able to offer adequate answers to those Taveuni thus lies some 400 odd nautical official response to this from the New Zea- Catholics who are committed to the miles to the west of the International land Catholic Church. Bishop Cullinane promotion of human rights and justice, Date Line, and sunrise observed at the kindly allowed us to quote from a letter and who are perplexed by the Vatican’s IDL will be perhaps 25 or 30 minutes written by him as President of the NZ position regarding General Pinochet. earlier than when seen from Taveuni. Catholic Bishops Conference to Cardinal So, when Simon says in his first para- Sodano on 6 April. “New Zealand Catholics have a good graph, “...the 180th meridian, more record of support for justice, peace and commonly known as the International Bishop Cullinane wrote: development across national bounda- Date Line... etc”, he is seriously in error, “The New Zealand bishops realise that ries, and so it is only natural for them as far as this aspect of his story goes. the issue is complex and not as simple not to think of national sovereignty as There can be no doubt that Taveuni as it is presented by the media. We also a higher value than solidarity across may well be the first place in the East- take it for granted that the Holy See’s national borders when it is a matter of ern Hemisphere to meet the sun, but if position is a principled one, and not promoting human rights. Any advice there is to be a New Year’s Day Mass to merely political. that you can offer us will be greatly be celebrated on the Chatham Islands appreciated.”(abridged) that morning, then no doubt they will “Your Eminence will equally appreci- claim the honour. ate our difficulty when we are asked At the time of going to press we understand Maurice McGreal about this by people whose only source that no reply had been received to Bishop Glenfield, Auckland. of information is the news media. On Cullinane’s letter.

St Peter’s College (Palmerston North) Tui Motu offers its congratulations to Celebrating 25 years Anne Powell Labour Weekend October 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 1999 Are you a Past pupil, Teacher, Board Member, School of the Cenacle, Wellington Committee/PTA Member – or a friend of the College? on the launch of her first vol- Do send your registration as soon as possible. Plans are ume of published well on the way for a great weekend. poetry. Send details to: Firesong is published by St Peter’s College, Holsworth Ave, Milson, Palmerston North, or P O Box 158, Palmerston North, or, Phone 355 4198 Fax 353 3161 Email: [email protected]. Steele Roberts.

4 Tui Motu InterIslands focus fatherhood

The Year of the Father In the three year lead-up to the Millennium Pope John Paul decreed 1999 as the Year of the Father. Catholic Theologian and feminist writer, Janet Soskice, traces the history of the Christian use of the title of Father for God – and suggests some applications for the vexed problems of fatherhood in contemporary society

n our society the phrase the Year of (usually all three) towards their near- children up from school, but it is a the Father has all the happy reso- est and dearest. Or else they appear as brave dad who will try to arrange in the nance of ‘the Day of the Jackal’. absent. Fathers aren’t around. Single- playground – as any mother would – for IHow have we got where we are? Fathers, his child’s little friend to “come round parent families are overwhelmingly of any sort, get only bad press these led by women while ‘fathers’ can’t be our place to play”. We can understand all days. My husband, himself a father, found, or won’t be found, or start up this. We can all understand that priests has pointed this out to me. Fathers-as- new families with someone else. get treated with the same suspicion in fathers seem only to appear in the press many quarters. But isn’t it sad? Yet it if associated with criminal violence of Fathers, then, are regarded with is true that even very good fathers are a sexual, physical or psychological sort suspicion. Many fathers pick their often absent fathers. A friend of mine

Tui Motu InterIslands 5 focus – fatherhood remembers, in the 60s, telling her two usage of the title in the Old Testament the Son must have been non-existent young children they had to get tidied makes Jesus’ preference for calling God before begotten. This from a distance up to go to meet daddy at the airport. ‘Father’ (over 170 times in the Gospels) of two millennia may seem a piece of “Has he been away?”, they chirped. He’d distinctive. theological nit-picking, but, as those been away for two weeks. theologians who defended emergent The New Testament writers and theolo- Trinitarian orthodoxy were quick to Now that was the 60s, but business- gians of the early Church saw it as such. note, if accepted it would kybosh insist- men still travel, work late and leave In some of the earliest Christian writ- ence on the true divinity of the Son. early. Children in Florida a few years ings Paul expands upon the idea that the back were posed with the question, “If Christian is no longer slave but a son of This subordinationist theology was, you had to choose never again either to God, “the spirit of sons...makes us cry as we know, defeated by the Trinitar- see your father or to watch TV, which out, ‘Abba, Father’”. The extension of ian orthodoxy which insisted on the would you choose?” A poser, admittedly, the familial metaphors, begun by Paul, equality and co-eternity of Father, for anyone, but it’s not surprising most suggested to early theologians a nexus of Son and Holy Spirit. The titles ‘Father’ of them elected to keep the television familial metaphors in which Christians and ‘Son’, it was early observed, were and ditch Dad. After all they see the are ‘children’ or ‘sons’ of God by virtue relational. Origen argued that there television between four to six hours of being one with Jesus, for whom God must always be the Son if there is al- every day. was ‘Father’. ways the Father, for the Father is not Father without the Son. And yet on Sunday we expect the sinews t would be a mistake however, and of the Christian heart to pulse to the one which on our entry to the third Into this rich stew came also the influ- invocation of God as Father, we pray millennium we must not make, ence of Greek philosophy. Plato had that God be near us and hear us. Some Ito think that Jesus inherited, as a first spoken of God as ‘fatherly’ in his gen- might find the comparison more apt if century Jew, a frozen and austere kind erative powers and contrasted passive, we offered to fax the Father, or leave a of theism and transformed it into a new ‘maternal’ matter with the active and message on the answering service at- religion of love. God’s relationship to creative male principle. Such an image tached to his mobile phone. Israel is, from the stories of her earliest of divine fatherhood stressed genera- foundation, one of intense intimacy tion and governance, and was not at all Father in Scripture and love. The God of the Hebrew Bible interested in the affective or intimate Yet in the New Testament, calling God has a really shocking knowledge of and range of the metaphor. This is not the ‘Father’ is a sign of great intimacy, of concern for his people. Jesus’ teaching is ‘Father’ of Jesus in the New Testament. new relation, of hope and of love. Much in continuity with this – an intensifica- None the less, this more metaphysical has been made in the scholarly literature tion perhaps. ‘fatherhood’ was to have its influence on in recent years of the fact that Jesus, on subsequent Christian theology. occasion, used the Aramaic abba in ad- Son of the Father dressing God – an intimate title. We seem to find, then, in the first Beyond God the Father centuries of the current era, in the No divine title has been more central in the Gospel, calling very mixed companies of Christians to Christian thought and worship than God ‘Father’ is a sign and Jews, an emphasis of the nearness that of ‘Father’; the title seems now, for of God that went hand in hand with not a few people and for understand- of great intimacy calling God ‘Father’. What is new, able reasons, to be vexed. The modern period has seen real concern amongst But any invocation of God as Father and for the Jews shocking, amongst theologians and the Christian faithful – personal father rather than father of the Christians is not the calling God about the symbolic and psychological the people Israel – was in all likelihood ‘Father’ but rather the special status of new and striking in his day. The Hebrew Jesus as the Son. outworkings of the ‘fatherhood of God’. Bible with its plethora of divine titles For some early theologians the fact that ..if God is male by no means privileges ‘Father’. Indeed Jesus called God ‘Father’ suggested the God is styled as ‘Father’ only 11 times subordination of the Son to the Father, then male is God.. and never invoked in prayer in this way on the model of then customary rela- in the Old Testament. The criticisms are associated now with tions in human families, where sons feminist theology but antedate it con- But Jesus taught his disciples to pray to were ‘lower than’ their fathers. Deploy- siderably. Hume, and any number of God as Father, and nowhere, with the ing a penchant for biblical literalism, Freudian critics of religion, preceded exception of the cry of dereliction from some Arians moved from insistence that Mary Daly’s Beyond God the Father. the cross, does Jesus address God by any Scripture shows God is the Father and Daly’s work, however, is a locus classicus. other name. The relatively insignificant Christ the Son to the conclusion that She writes: “The biblical and popular

6 Tui Motu InterIslands image of God as a great patriarch in biological father, what fatherhood generative principle is contrasted, heaven, rewarding and punishing ac- means at the social and symbolic and over which the male symbolically cording to his mysterious and seem- level varies greatly across societies dominates. The ‘fatherhood’ model ingly arbitrary will, has dominated the and historical periods. It’s interesting in Christianity moves, for the most imagination of millions over thousands to note that after stinging criticisms part, within the affective, and not of years.”(p.13). While Daly notes that of Fatherhood of God from white the ‘governance’ extensions of the “sophisticated thinkers” have never feminists, some black or ‘womanist’ metaphor. Jesus’ startling preference for identified with God a Superfather in theologians were quick to point out that calling God ‘Father’ suggests not only heaven, nevertheless “if God is male, they did not have the same difficulties a natural human intimacy, but alludes then the male is God. The divine with ‘God the Father’ language in their to other kinship metaphors deployed patriarch castrates women as long as religious sub-culture. in the Hebrew Bible, and perhaps he is allowed to live on in the human suggests the fulfilment in his person of a imagination” . The modern preacher, perhaps espe- prophetic aspiration that one day Israel will call God ‘Father’. Many women, and not a few men, found Daly’s critique compelling The Father cannot be, within the – broadly said ‘yes’ to her sketch Trinitarian economy, sole ruler, of the Father. The book sold, and Chairman of the Board, Emperor continues to sell and to convince. of celestial domination, without Brutality, psychological violence, collapse into monarchianism. or just plain indifference marks So we need from our preachers the experience many have of their good teaching on the developed, earthly fathers – and much of it, Trinitarian theology of fatherhood. until recently, was accepted as ‘just We need to be told a story that the way fathers were’ or ‘just the is historically nuanced. We need rights fathers have’. Montaigne, in also some recognition from our his essays, records a conversation preachers and church leaders that with a friend, who regrets that he there are problems: that things are never in his life told his adult son, not now and, most importantly, recently killed, that he loved him! have not been what they should be. While Catholic women have So, if the New Testament paints been strongly encouraged, in the so positive a picture of God’s last couple of centuries at least, to Fatherhood and one which surely model their motherhood on the must be a model for human fa- albeit very different motherhood therhood, how did the Christian of Mary, Catholic men have not authoritarian office degenerate equally been encouraged to model into capricious violence of physical their fatherhood on the, albeit very or psychological nature? different, Fatherhood of God. Fatherhood equals oppression? cially in the West, faces a pastoral and We have an opportunity now, at this Must the ‘Fatherhood of God’ as found a pedagogical challenge. What tools do late date in the millennium, to ask what in Scripture and tradition inevitably we have to address it? ‘Father’ is a central impact our understanding of God as yield to a patriarchal Christianity in term in the New Testament writings and Father should have on all our human which women are held in low esteem? closely associated with the teaching of relationships. It might be a symbolic Does ‘fatherhood’ always imply domi- Jesus. Jesus’ use of the title ‘Father’ was start if all Catholic fathers were encour- nance and oppression? Was Freud right above all affective, and suggested an aged, in this year, to look over their past in thinking religion is born of a stub- intimacy which the Christians were to behaviour and to apologise to wives and born delusion that God is the omnipo- enjoy as a new family of God, not by to children for any behaviour that now tent Father who can protect us even as blood but by Spirit. seems high-handed, thoughtless, selfish we fear him? or brutal – even if, at the time, it was There is, in this New Testament use done for the good. ■ The very diversity of the Church may (and unlike that of the Platonists), come to our aid – as well as the diversity no correlative and subordinate female or cultural configurations of fatherhood. principle (akin to matter) over and This article, somewhat abridged, is For while every human being has a against which the male creative and reprinted from Priests and People

Tui Motu InterIslands 7 focus – fatherhood Being a father in 1999 Looking at the problems – and the spirituality

rthur, Bernie, Chris and David my children especially during their dif- Arthur prefers bathing the young ones are all fathers of growing fami- ficult times.” to sharing in the cooking. But he and lies. They are active members his wife carefully discuss who does ofA the same Catholic parish. One thing ‘Busy-ness’ is a real problem, reckons what so that the work is shared. David they were agreed on regarding their Bernie. “I know I don’t spend enough is adamant that men generally accept role as fathers: they wanted to provide time with my children. I have less spare now that this is how it should be. But more love and guidance to their growing time in my life than my father had, be- these domestic roles don’t always come children than they received a generation cause of my work – but I try to spend easily. He has felt a ‘natural resistance’. ago from their own fathers. “I saw my more time with the family.” The woman is the natural ‘manager’ of father as a source of authority”, says the household: so coming home and Bathing the babies adjusting to another role after a day’s Chris, “but I prefer to be a friend to They all welcomed the change in roles my children.” work requires a whole refocussing of that this generation has seen. Fathers one’s energy. “We establish routines. I All four acknowledged they had been share in a lot of household and parent- cook sometimes, and I come home early a lot closer to their mothers. “I wanted ing chores which were taboo to an ear- a couple of days a week. If the roles are a close relationship with my father,” lier generation of fathers. “A wonderful reversed, then you soon get tuned in says Arthur, “but it didn’t happen. But development”, reckons Bernie. “Even to the details of managing the home.” I was extremely close to my mother.” from the practical point of view it helps Bernie also found his father distant: he take the load off the mother especially Chris sees putting the children to bed as was out of the house all day and spent when she is still feeding. And feeding an important part of the bonding. But a lot of time at the pub in the evenings. and bathing and the ‘bringing up wind’ his preferred way is to work and play Often when he came home he went to bit helps establish a stronger contact with the boys. “They learn important bed early, because his work made him with the children.” skills. They love being helpful. You have physically tired. Parenting programmes for dads So what about this tension between helley Auld is a professional coun- indicated that nothing would attract them being the breadwinner and spending sellor who works for Dunedin’s to attending a course. Some preferred time with the children? David sees men SEarly Childhood Development centre. to come on their own; some with their generally as being inclined to become One of her major concerns is how to partner. What came through clearly was absorbed in their work to the exclusion attract fathers to come to Parent Train- that if a course was properly advertised of their family life. Women, on the ing programmes. She thinks we are still men would come. other hand seem to be able to do both. living in the aftermath of the Industrial Two types of course were planned: one Revolution and the World Wars which with partner, one without. The facilitator “I find my work dominates my life. It effectively removed the father from the needed to be male, a parent and someone worries me, and I try to make up for average home. used to working with groups. The courses it in other ways by giving the children Research has clearly shown that parent- consist of four two-hour sessions. The quality time.” Of the four David had ing works best when both partners are feedback from those who have completed the closest bond with his father. “It involved. A break-up of a marriage or the courses has been very positive. was a truly spiritual thing. It has been relationship adversely affects the trust Shelley thinks the classical ‘male stere- probably the greatest influence in my that children have in their parents. And otype’ thing is dying. Nevertheless men life. And now I find that I am develop- often when men walk out of a relation- cherish their privacy more than women, ing a similar bond with one of my sons. ship they grieve because they no longer especially when it comes to talking about It doesn’t necessarily depend on the see their children, and they run the risk their feelings. A very fruitful exercise of finishing up lonely old men. for the men on the ECD courses was to amount of time you spend.” So Shelley set about finding out why men have an older, prominent person come “My father,” says Chris, “never took any often opted out of parenting programmes, and share his experience of fathering. A interest in me. It was my mother who with a view to attracting more of them great success was Greg Cooper, the ex- spent a lot of time talking to me and to come. She contacted a sample group Otago footballer. supported me especially in my teenage of 26 dads and by telephone interviews A book that Shelley Auld especially Fatherhood Reclaimed years. So that would be my strongest she was able to collect valuable data. recommends is , Most were interested although a couple by Adrienne Burgess. MH wish: to spend a lot of time talking with

8 Tui Motu InterIslands to put up with things not being quite should. As men we so right!” don’t know how to celebrate our male- What about fatherhood as part ness. There is a certain of one’s Christian vocation? time when bonding David does not accept the notion that between males –and the father is head of the household. “My between fathers and role as a parent is God-given. It is some- their sons – becomes thing I reflect on and pray about. I am very important.” very blessed as a parent. By raising the children in a Christian environment, Chris is of the opin- the groundwork is being done. ion that the media have had a really bad my children have influence especially taught me so much since the Christchurch creche case. “I don’t about love think you should allow that to deter you from “I reflect on the spiritual things which I gaining your children’s wish my parents had discussed with me confidence.” when I was younger. I try to provide that for my own children, so they grow up “I think men can be- with a spiritual awareness. The children come isolated,” says are never excluded from discussions David. “Men don’t which touch on spiritual things.” have the network of friends that women Bernie stresses the importance of giving have. Sports clubs firm guidance in moral issues and in provide something Christian principles. “I aim,” he says, but not at the deep- “to see the children behave correctly, est level. We men can but I also try to set an appropriate ex- lack close male friends: ample.” For Chris an important aspect such deep friendships is to pray together as a family. “And I are not easily made. feel tremendous support from the parish Men with deep hurts, community. The children share in the perhaps from their early life, need to get one’s business. The way to work well riches of the Christian community. And together; often counselling is needed. with people is to practise ‘love your we are fortunate here in our ecumenical neighbour’”. relations: they can see how it helps build I think males in our generation have the whole community. And they com- missed out a lot; in many ways we could grow a lot stronger and more ‘whole’”. Chris spoke of a neighbour who is a pare the experience with some of their single man “who is a bit of a guru. He friends who don’t go to church: there is Arthur agrees that confiding about is a solid part of my life. He has this a real hollowness, a lack of something very personal issues is not easy. He has amazing outlook! We have become very special.” found that his spirituality has grown close. I also think we have a wonderful David regrets that fatherhood is not through regular contact with certain parish community. Like a group of celebrated in the way motherhood is. friends. “Often over the phone we will the young people going away with “Manhood has gone through a rough pray together.” Bernie agrees that strong the adults for the Duke of Edinburgh patch, especially with the attention giv- friendships are very important. “Good Award hikes: this is building a better en to sexual abuse and incest. And the companions of earlier times are friends level of relationship between adults and rise of feminism – which is a wonderful for life. We need someone to listen when young people in the parish.” thing – has had one negative effect. The we are under stress. Says Bernie: “My children have been male sex has taken the back seat, having absolutely wonderful. They have taught lost the dominant role. “Sometimes when I am facing a particu- lar difficulty I think what Christ would me so much about love; they have “We’ve gone too far the other way. I do. I reflect on his calibre of loving. I shown me my faults and taught me think as fathers we are not taking the think Christ’s message of universal love about forgiveness. The privilege of hav- positive role in our families which we touches at the heart of living – even in ing children has been magnificent!” ■

Tui Motu InterIslands 9 sacrament The sacrament of ordinary living Living signs of unseen grace Dennis Horton

uring my years of ministry, I sacraments in the world will not make the Jesus of the gospels. We may have always sensed a link between much difference to our lives. doctrinal purity, faith in all its fulness, the sacraments we celebrate in but – as Paul warns – without love, then churchD and those special moments of grace I suppose my awareness of the sacred- we are nothing at all. (1 Cor.13:2) in daily life, when we know that God’s pres- ness of daily life has been heightened ence makes a difference to how we live and in recent months by the fact that I can wonder now about our tendency love. The reason for this link between the no longer celebrate the sacraments as a to see the sacraments as rewards for so-called sacred and secular spheres is clear: priest. I often find myself remember- orthodoxy or proven faith, rather ing the prayer of Teilhard de Char- thanI as signs of God’s amazing grace, the same Spirit is at work in both. din, the Jesuit palaeontologist whose there for anyone who is willing to ap- The Christ who makes himself present research half a century ago took him proach them with an open heart. The when Christians gather round the table into the hinterland of China, far from Catholic Church, wrote James K Baxter, of the eucharist is also really present any Christian church or Mass-going “has the crown jewels of sacraments and whenever we welcome strangers in his congregation. As he stood there alone, doctrine, but is not exceptional in the name and share what we have with on the steppes of Asia, lacking the ele- vigour of her performance of works of those who have less. The forgiveness ments of bread and wine but profoundly mercy and justice. If the spirit moves we receive when the priest absolves is aware of God’s presence at the heart of also there when “enemies begin to speak all creation, Teilhard joined the one often in the gospels the to one another, and those who were eternal Priest in offering our world and estranged join hands in friendship.” the whole of human history back to the outsider has the faith (Preface for Reconciliation) God from whom it came and by whose Jesus requires providential care it continues to unfold. One might argue about which comes first. Is it because we break the bread My eye strays to the bookshelf where today most forcibly among the Pente- of life and share it each Sunday that we now, in its case, sits the chalice which my costals, are we to call God an imper- become adept at sharing the bread of family gave me as an ordination gift, and fect Christian? He chooses whom he our lives with others through the rest I wonder if I shall ever be able to use it chooses, and we dare not deny fellow- again. For the moment, I am not free to ship to those who call on the name of profoundly aware of receive communion in my own church, the Lord Jesus and are filled with the God’s presence at the much less say Mass. But so deeply im- Spirit.” (Thoughts about the Holy Spirit) bued is the gospel imperative to “eat the True, Jesus seems to chide the Canaan- heart of all creation flesh of the Son of Man and drink his ite woman who comes seeking a cure blood” in order to have life, that I have of the week? Or do we need to have be- for her daughter, by insisting that the sought – and found – a eucharistic com- gun the sharing and caring, for the sign children’s food cannot be thrown to the munity which, while not asking me to of the eucharist even to begin to make house-dogs. But in fact her faith wins renounce my Catholic faith and identity, sense? Is it because we have experienced the day, and her daughter is restored to is still ready to welcome my wife and me God’s mercy in the sacrament of recon- health. (Matt. 15:27) So often in the to share at the Lord’s table. ciliation that we are more likely to be gospels, it is the outsider who has the forgiving, reconciling people? Or must In that gesture of hospitality, I have faith that Jesus requires, while those we already have started on the path of been helped to see how much wider within the pale are found wanting. And forgiving and being forgiven, before we than our denominational boundaries one of his sternest rebukes is for the reli- can see the risen Christ and celebrate his are both the embrace of God’s love gious legislators of his day: “Alas for you mercy in the liturgy of forgiveness? The and the redeeming power of Christ’s who have taken away the key of knowl- fact is that unless we are aware of God grace; and I ponder on how often our edge! You have not gone in yourselves, present in our daily living and of the church excludes from its sacraments and have prevented others going in who deep-down holiness of all human effort those whose hurts and failures would wanted to!” (Luke 11:52) I wonder what and endeavour, chances are that all the have caught the compassionate gaze of our canonists make of that!

10 Tui Motu InterIslands The author enjoying a ‘sacramental’ moment in the family aviary with his stepson, Francis Part of the cost of having to surrender preaching or proselytizing, no strings able or wounded the other may be, and my ministry as a priest to follow an- attached. The clearest sacraments speak renews the offer of love just at the point other call to love has been the need to for themselves; they need no explaining. when we may be feeling that we are not retrace my steps as one of the baptised. worth loving. It’s a love that images the have discovered little sacraments, For a time after resigning my parish, tenderness of God, who knows us better too, in the myriad signs of love that I was not even sure if God heard my than we know ourselves, and who heals occur in our family, fostering four prayers or if I could still say “God bless us and makes us whole by continuing feisty,I spirited children in their bid to you” as I finished talking on the phone. to cherish us just as we are. put their own stamp on life and to grow I know now that to bless in God’s name is in both independence and respect for A fortnight before Christmas, I fell something that not just priests do; it’s the others. And I am often overwhelmed suddenly and unaccountably ill. As we prerogative of all the baptised. No matter by a mother’s unconditional love, as she waited together for an ambulance to where else the Christian journey leads us, rises above the hurts that children can arrive, holding hands in the face of this whether we become priest or even pope, sometimes even unwittingly cause, and frightening reminder of how tenuous nothing ever quite equals the dignity that wakes each morning to a new day and life is, we were both aware of the deep comes to us in baptism, with its call to a fresh resolve to let love conquer all. In peace that enveloped us and of how, in recognise God’s purpose at the heart of our some mysterious way, we were making world, and to invite others to see it, too. to bless in God’s name God present to each other. I miss the lovely parish eucharists at which is the prerogative of all Thank God, the pain was short lived, I was able to celebrate the anointing of the baptised but the symbolic power of that terrify- the sick. But I see Christ healing the lives ing moment endures. God’s providen- of the people I now serve, as they face that letting-be of being, we are able to tial care is revealed in our caring for one the daily struggle of coping with mental mirror God’s own patience with our- another. We can become for each other illness and the prejudice and put-downs selves, waiting for us to let the gift of living sacraments of the unseen God. ■ that come so often from those around grace unfold within us. them. Working as I do for an ecumenical agency, contracted by the public health The most powerful of these living sac- Dennis Horton, ex-editor of Zealandia, re- system to provide a service irrespective raments is the one at the heart of our signed the active priestly ministry in 1996. of colour or creed, I see a value in signs marriage; it is never so clearly seen as He lives with his wife and her four children of care that stand on their own, with no when one of us recognises how vulner- in Auckland

Tui Motu InterIslands 11 world news Wars – and rumours of wars The war in Kosovo has destroyed ten years work by Pax Christi trying to build dialogue between the Serb and Albanian communities. Below is an excerpt from the editorial of the Flemish Pax Christi paper

Is there still a way out of the the exactions against the populations: Milosevic did not back down, while the problem of Kosovo? indeed they seem to have resulted only exactions against the Albanian-speaking For nearly ten years negotiations have in aggravating their state. population increased in terror. sought fruitlessly for a peaceful and After brandishing the threat of aerial Moreover, our contacts have informed diplomatic solution to the problem of bombardment for a whole year, Western us that the Serbian forces in Kosovo Kosovo. After the events of the past weeks political leaders could do nothing but received orders just as the bombing the option of a negotiated agreement proceed to action if Milosevic persisted started, that in the event of communica- with the signatures of both the Serbs tions with Belgrade being cut they were and the Albanians seems beyond reach. to proceed to mass expulsion of the The crucial question at this juncture has population of Kosovo and execution become: Can President Milosevic cause Strike home of its leaders. How can one reconcile a division at the heart of NATO and Christine Armstrong reporting NATO’s hope that Milosevic would thus become the virtual victor in the from Yugoslavia tells us back down with the information that conflict? Or can NATO force Milosevic of the “big night sky, exactions were to be undertaken as to withdraw his troops from Kosovo? crowds of stars, soon as communications were cut? In both scenarios the civil population peach-moon over mountains.” will be the victims of a tragedy with It is now beyond imagining that Mi- Unthinking we relax unforeseeable consequences. losevic will capitulate. The President, for romance and with him the whole Serb élite, For a peace movement such as Pax think of love even would apparently prefer to rule over a Christi, these events represent a real on a cruise. anguish. For more than ten years we devastated country rather than yield to NATO. This places us in a scenario like have been issuing warnings on the Missiles don’t miss. that in Iraq, where a State condemned escalation of violence in Kosovo. These Strike targets like by the international community no warnings have been noticed but not trees longer considers itself bound by anyone heeded, nor given any urgency, so that children or anything. Indeed ‘collateral’ damage currently we are witnessing the failure old people could mean it gains considerable rein- of a policy of prevention of conflicts. factories. Pax Christi sent its own personnel and forcement from the Serb democratic opposition. succeeded in committing more than 20 Oh Christ! organisations and innumerable people Oh terror! What strategy is possible for in a process of dialogue between the Obscene war in our sitting rooms. two communities. All this has come to NATO now? an end, and since 27 March we have Anne Powell According to military logic there is only had no news of our correspondent in one way: continue the bombing for Pristina. days, even weeks. Eventually the spine in refusing any reasonable compromise. of the Yugoslav army will be broken. This anguish has not spared NATO The west, in effect, laid a bet: perhaps However, even that may not put an end itself these last two weeks, and the Milosevic would back down right at to the reign of terror in Kosovo. organisation finds itself facing an im- the start of the strikes; he had – or so possible dilemma. Not to intervene they believed – a need for a first wave It is even possible that after weeks of between the two communities would of bombardments as an ‘excuse’; for hesitation military logic will oblige have meant in the end accelerating the making his citizens and party officials NATO to introduce ground troops. The military confrontation on the ground accept the Rambouillet agreement, Serbs, for their part, are quite capable in Kosovo. But aerial strikes themselves including the occupation of Kosovo by of sustaining a long guerilla war. The have still not succeeded in stopping foreign troops. But the bet was lost and terrain is ideal for it. The there is the

12 Tui Motu InterIslands a favourable response. Prominent on the agenda should be the withdrawal of Serbian troops and the secure return home of the refugees. If no serious agreement can be made in this direction and if, further, the exactions and the bombings continue for weeks more, that would be the end of little Kosovo as a separate entity. We would be headed for deadlock on the ground; the Serbian military forces would be almost completely annihi- lated, the Albanian-speaking population almost completely expelled; different armed groups would dispute the ter- ritory; NATO would oversee a no-fly zone over Kosovo; Milosevic would try to integrate part of Kosovo with Serbia; and there would be no prospect of any agreement bearing the signatures of both Serbs and the Albanian-speaking. ...Obscene war in our sitting rooms The one thing European countries can possibility of open war between the be indispensable. The first step must still do is to assure humanitarian aid. We Serbian troops and the Kosovo Lib- be to establish contact with Moscow, are going to have to welcome an influx eration Army, assisted by NATO, thus among other reasons to ensure that of refugees and accord them special prolonging the devastation of Kosovo. the supplying of arms to Yugoslavia status as fugitives of war. The countries An even wider war is no then unthink- would not prolong the conflict; above bordering Kosovo cannot accommo- able, the nightmare of Western political all, to ensure this conflict does not date all the Kosovans who are fleeing. and military leaders. degenerate into a direct confrontation Otherwise the delicate ethnic balance of between the former protagonists of Macedonia and of Montenegro would The restraint shown by the present the Cold War. Could not the current be threatened, risking the creation of Russian leaders could soon disappear presidents of the European Union go medium term instability throughout in the unstable Russia we know, with to Moscow? The urgent request made the region. ■ radical and extremist elements taking at the end of March to meet European the upper hand, unafraid of a direct leaders to discuss Kosovo should receive confrontation with the West. Conse- (translated by Paul Lansu, of Pax Christi) quently, it is equally in the interests of the present Russian leadership that a NATO bombing – churches disagree ATO bombing in Yugoslavia has Church, Patriarch Pavle, appealed for solution be found. The conversations elicited various reactions from a halt in NATO action, and Patriarch between Prime Minister Primakov and NChurch leaders and moralists. Alexis II of Moscow said: “What is being President Milosevic on 29 March gave Pope John Paul is said to be “profoundly done is a sin before God and a crime in no tangible results. Milosevic repeated concerned”, and Cardinal Sodano, Sec- international law”. that he was ready to withdraw his troops retary of State, asserted: “The bombings Chief Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks said he from Kosovo “partially” – and in the must be stopped at once. One cannot is praying military action will succeed. meantime hundreds of thousands of talk of peace and negotiate under the “But,” he said, “when it is over, all Kosovans are forced to flee their homes. nightmare of bombs and massacres”. the problems will still remain.” Serbs In the United States the President of the and Albanians would still need to live What diplomatic avenues are National Conference of Bishops, Joseph together, each willing to move beyond left for resolving the conflict? Fiorenza, said the air strikes posed “diffi- the hatreds of the past. cult moral and policy questions on which “You can’t achieve that by air strikes Beyond the military logic Pax Christi people of goodwill may disagree”; but alone,” he said. “When will we learn that persists in arguing in favour os a representatives of American religious peace does not grow from the barrel of negotiation with Milosevic, Draskovic deplored the attacks, saying they can a gun? It is born in the hearts of human and other Belgrade leaders. Moscow’s only foment more violence. beings, and its seeds are planted in the support for such a negotiation would The head of the Serbian Orthodox stories we teach our children”.

Tui Motu InterIslands 13 ecology Searching the Soul of the Land A personal reflection from a New Zealand Lenten Study, 1999 Kevin Francis O’Connor ome 30 years ago, as a new mem- make any progress in restoring land to and water, depletion of seas and forests, ber of the New Zealand National be worthy of God’s creation; we must and loss of species as well as habitats in Commission for Unesco, I was be reconciled to Earth in order to be all parts of the planet. We delude our- challengedS by another member, Sir reconciled to God and to one another. selves we are solving the problem. We Charles Fleming, to identify my value show that Earth is being made to feed system: “Are you nature-centred or As I see it, a renewed modern physical more people. We comfort ourselves that human-centred?”, he asked. I tried to and biological science enables us to see all is not lost, that humanity can lick avoid the issue by saying I aimed to be how we might mend our ways and still these problems by generating surpluses God-centred. “..and what about your meet genuine human needs, at the same through existing economies, adopting God? Where is he or she centred?” I time as it unfolds the continuing deg- science-based technologies and allowing have never forgotten that challenge. radation of the planet. Contemporary markets to dictate terms and directions The Restore Land Lenten program, studies in ecological economics reveal of production and trade. recent issues of Tui Motu and the visit the social and political mechanisms by of Miriam MacGillis O.P. have brought which such degradation occurs. I search We deceive ourselves. For some years the question into fresh focus. from the early 1960s we had wide- Earth itself groans to spread and genuine effort by scientists I have spent most of my working career to understand the problems and by in research and teaching for better land be redeemed government agencies and associations use, pursuing what became ecology, of people to devise remedies. Over the ecological economics and resource man- for a theology of land that demonstrates last ten years not only is the battle not agement. I am far from content with the ungodliness of continuing to de- being won, but we are often not even either achievement or the direction of grade and desecrate Earth and at the engaging in it, even when we pretend to. our agriculture and forestry. Yet we are same time enables human beings to live not free to renounce them, or seek in with confidence in the wise providence Why the need of theology? It is all too easy to identify technological them a way of comfort while ignoring of the Creator, honouring God and serv- symbols as problem, whether it be rye- the balance of social benefits, nor are we ing others in the care of land. Humans grass pastures, radiata pine, heavy trac- free to dispense with science. I believe all can practise conservation – but we don’t! these human activities need redemption, tors or genetic modification of crops and as Earth itself groans to be redeemed. Theologians, moralists and conserva- animals. The real problem lies deeper. tionists agree that humans differ from We have abandoned to commercial I hear anew the Francis call for a fresh other organisms in that they can con- forces the direction of agriculture and theology of Earth. Those who deal in sciously practise conservation in various forestry as international industries. In- theology face a dilemma: either admit ways. Humans can care for species other creasingly such industries are dominated that we have failed to apply theology to than themselves. They can preserve by the amoral power-centres of transna- natural resources issues in our historic functioning natural ecosystems irrel- tions. In New Zealand we transform our past, or confess that the theology ap- evant in any way to the material needs own co-operative dairy industry into a plied has grown inept for the emerging of humans, even if these inspire awe and complex enterprise that functions in the human and planetary condition. While wonder at their beauty. They can man- image of a transnational. Traditional I see no escape from a commitment age their use of natural resources for the stewardship of land is worn away by the to renewed agriculture and forestry if material needs of present generations abrasion of market economics. More the people of the world are to be fed, so that access by future generations is subtly, we so emphasise the commercial sheltered and clothed, I emphasise our ensured without diminishing quantity character of our farming that we pretend urgent need of a revised and reapplied or impairing quality. to exempt it in some way from the du- theology of nature, if we humans are to ties and rights of conservation. survive as a species in the world as we espite our potential for con- know it. In such a quest, I see a theology Dservation, we do little about From my experience in resource man- of land as an important focus in the Year it. Deterioration of the environment is agement I believe that necessary changes of Jubilee 2000. It is needed if we are to evident in the form of pollution of air in land use behaviour can come about

14 Tui Motu InterIslands only if those who believe in God as Earth exists in space, with variety and by mere title to land, negotiable and Creator, Redeemer and Spirit discover complexity as essential features. In all tradeable. Furthermore, land lost some and teach a genuine Theology of Earth. its early meanings, “land” has place, of its dignity by becoming simply a For three reasons: whether it be as solid ground separate means in the economics of production, • no change in social behaviour comes from seas, or a patch of ploughed just as human dignity was reduced in about without a major change in ground, or a particular tract occupied becoming industrial labour. worldview and spiritual motivation. by a community of people. Lands have Without a theology, a worldview is not particular features, special to each. A What of the search for soul? compelling and spiritual motivation is thousand years ago we had a word in old The idea of soul was not invented in the ephemeral: English: “landship” – usually written Bible, but is rooted in traditional West- • traditional Christian teaching on “landscip”. Like “township” or “tun- ern philosophy and in the world-views practical human ecology is inadequate scip”, it was a collective noun for the of different peoples. Christians have for current human and planetary condi- people of a particular place. The word been most concerned with the nature tion. The material created world is more lost its own original form and meaning of the human soul. Pre-Christian and than the goods of persons from whom to become “landscape” – a “picture of Christian philosophers in earlier times we should not steal. Private property is or appearance of the land”. The sad recognised an animal soul as real but different from the human. Yet we are surely all conscious of claiming or deny- ing the existence of a soul in animals. We scoff tolerantly but politely at the Swiss woodsman who asks forgiveness of the tree he is about to cut down. Lack of respect for the world of nature will continue so long as we neglect or deny the existence of soul in individual animals, plants and life systems. In essence, soul is the life principle which infuses every living entity, be it plant, animal or ecosystem. Other cultures, including Maori with the vital idea of mauri, have nourished the idea of a life-force in every place significant to them. How did our Western ances- tors manage to lose what others kept, while we gained the benefits of material civilisation? We have been so busy see- ing land as the object of different kinds not the universal path to the common fact is that we lost not only the word of physical and biological science, and good. In a sense, Christian teaching has “landship” but also its meaning. This so busy simply regarding land as prop- become part of the problem rather than loss has been accompanied by change erty, that we have neglected what our contributing to its solution. in the meaning of “land” itself. earlier ancestors seem to have known, • I see the essential grounds for hope in and as less sophisticated peoples con- In the cultural expansion of economic the Christian teaching of God’s good- tinue to appreciate, that land is both empire over the Earth for several hundred ness as Creator and of God’s love for body and soul. the whole of creation – and in a special years, the meaning of “land” has become way for us humans. To our hope in God, generalised. From becoming the object Land is a natural or cultural open- we humans must join the duty of care. of tenure, land in many minds became boundaried ecosystem that occurs as We must discover how to love God by merely another form of property, rather place. Its meaning is enriched by care careing for creation. than a particular tract of a country to in human community, forming a land- which we belong in a community. In ship. Land enjoys a spirit of place. Land Changes in the meaning of Land the process of becoming property that as life-system has soul. Our economies We shall discover and be motivated by we own, even if we are absent from and our civilisation will be distorted and a profound and wondrous theology of it, land has tended to lose its sense of unfruitful as long as we neglect this soul Land. I distinguish here between Earth place. The value of land has become of the land. ■ and Land. We appreciate that planet transmuted into wealth, represented

Tui Motu InterIslands 15 spirituality A song of Christ ascending – and returning with abundant gifts

An Anglo-Saxon poet paints the Ascension of Christ and the gifts of Pentecost in a very human way

he Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf be- abstract theological themes (focussing on the Tgins his work on the Ascension relationship between divinity and humanity) (untitled in the original manuscript, a and lightly-developed images, and creates an late-tenth-century poetic codex known energetic, sprawling poem which begins with as the Exeter Book, but known to mod- a series of vivid narrative images of Christ’s ern readers as The Ascension of Christ Ascension and Harrowing of Hell and then II) by asking a question: Why did the develops Gregory’s Old Testament images and angels wear white garments at Christ’s symbols, expanding them and adding images Ascension, but not at his birth? of his own so that the various parts of the poem interact and jostle one another, almost playfully. Cynewulf found this same question two-thirds of the way through an For example, whereas Gregory’s Christ-bird Ascension-day homily by Pope Gregory moves in only one direction, from earth to the Great, a work set down for reading heaven, Cynewulf’s bird soars heavenward but in the monastic Office at this season. also ‘dives back to earth’, moving freely between Although Cynewulf—who lived in the the two spheres in a continuous process of love ninth or tenth century and whose name and gift to humankind. And in the section on is preserved only by being woven in Christ’s six saving ‘leaps’ – Cynewulf adds one runic letters into the poem’s epilogue— more, the descent into hell, to Gregory’s list – does not directly answer this question, there is a playful reference back to the image Gregory replies that white is the colour of the bird: ‘the Prince’s flittings became an of celebration and exaltation: ‘When everlasting delight to the blessed inhabitants the Lord was born, divinity seemed hu- of that city (i.e. the heavenly Jerusalem, with miliated; but when the Lord ascended, a suggestion of the earthly city with which it humanity was exalted’. is twinned)’. n the last section of his sermon, Gregory’s theme of the raising of our human- IGregory develops this theme by dis- ity in Christ’s Ascension, and our aspiration cussing briefly a number of Old Testa- to complete that spiritual transformation, is ment texts that conjure up a series of changed by Cynewulf into an emphasis on vivid images: the ascending Christ as a victory over the forces of evil, the winning bird, based on a reading of Job 28:7; the of a lasting peace between God and God’s sun and moon as figures of the ascended people, and Christ’s continuing presence with Christ and his newly-emboldened us through his many gifts, both spiritual and church (Habakkuk 3:11); and Christ as earthly. These themes are clearly developed in a divine ‘leaper’, springing in five great the two extracts translated opposite. salvific strides from heaven to Mary’s In the first, the poet expresses thanks not only womb, and from there to the manger, for Christ’s great work of salvation and recon- the cross, the sepulchre and finally to ciliation with God, but also for the things we heaven (Song of Songs 2:8). Gregory ends enjoy and the world around us, including both with a call for repentance and reform good weather and rain! The reference to sun of life, and a meditative focus on the and moon as simple gifts – taken for granted ascended Lord: Although we are still held by most of us – anticipates the later discussion, here by the body’s infirmity, let us follow following Gregory, of these heavenly bodies as Him with the footsteps of love. symbols of God and the church. Cynewulf takes Gregory’s rather

16 Tui Motu InterIslands A song of Christ ascending – and returning with abundant gifts

t is fitting that the peoples should say thanks to the Lord for all the good things I which he has continually done for us, early and late, through the mystery of his manifold powers. He gives us food and an abundance of goods, wealth across the wide world, and mild weather under the sky’s shelter. Sun and moon, most splendid of stars, shine down on all, candles of heaven, on people throughout the earth. Dew and rain both fall, producing good things to sustain humankind, and increase the goods of the earth. For this let us all speak thanks and praise to our Lord – and especially for the salvation which he gave us as our hope, when at his Ascension he turned aside the sorrows that we earlier suffered and, only-begotten king, settled for all peoples with his dear father the greatest of feuds.

* * * * * *

The one who made the world, dignified us then, God’s spirit-son, and gave us gifts – everlasting homes on high with the angels, and also abundantly sowed and set wisdom of mind in the hearts of humankind. To one he sends wise eloquence into the thoughts of the mind through the mouth’s breath, excellent understanding. The one for whom wisdom’s skill is hidden in the heart can sing and recite a great many things. With the fingers, another can skillfully stir the harp, loud before an audience, strike the joyful instrument. Another can interpret the true and sacred law. Another can tell the course of the stars, this broad creation. One can skilfully write down words. To another he gives success in battle, when the bowmen send an army of arrows, a mass of flying darts, over the shield-wall. Another can bravely drive a ship over the salt sea, stir the restless waves. Another can climb a tall, sheer-sided tree. Another knows how to make a tempered sword. Another knows the land’s expanses, the far-flung ways...

In this way mighty God, king of all creatures, through limitless gifts dignifies with skills the offspring of the earth.

he second extract, listing God’s about the kinds of occupations valued includes both gratitude and wonder. To Tmanifold gifts to the human by the Anglo-Saxons – there is a very find our particular vocation, whether sailor, race, emphasises not just spiritual similar catalogue in another Exeter musician or poet – or mechanic, teacher or gifts (as Gregory does, drawing on 1 Book poem called The Gifts of Men – psychotherapist – and to strive to excel in it Corinthians 12:8-10 to expand Psalm Cynewulf’s list has a deeper purpose both enriches us at every level of our being 67:19, ‘Ascending on high ... he gave here. The emphasis is on the special and acknowledges the love, the wisdom people gifts’), or intellectual prowess, skills that God allots to each of us, and, and the abundance of the Creator who first but practical vocational gifts of every by implication, our need to develop implanted these gifts within us. ■ kind. While it is fascinating to read and cherish them in a response that Paul Sorrell

Tui Motu InterIslands 17 scripture

The very first to announce the good news of the Risen Christ – the first ‘apostle’. Yet slowly and subtly Mary Magdalen was transformed into the pathetic penitent, the rescued prostitute. CIT lecturer, Susan Smith, takes a critical look at this distortion Time to rehabilitate Mary Magdalen

he Resurrection narratives are not remain silent for ever. The male Mary Magdalen, Joanna and Mary, surely good news for us all, but disciples later would have heard of the the mother of James, visit the tomb of particularly for women because resurrection from the women. Jesus at day break on the first day of theT gospels reveal that women are the the week, and after hearing from “two first witnesses of the resurrection. With In Matthew’s gospel, the resurrection men in dazzling garments” that Jesus the exception of the Beloved Disciple narrative begins as “Mary Magdalen has been raised from the dead, return in John’s gospel, who is faithful to the and the other Mary” come to the to tell the apostles who thought “their end, women emerge as heroines in the story seemed like nonsense and did not Passion narratives. Unlike the male believe them”. (Luke 24:11) disciples, they do not run away when the going gets tough, but stand at the Mary of Magdala is the first witness of foot of the Cross. Such fidelity is re- the resurrection in John’s gospel too, warded through their experiences of commissioned by the risen Jesus to the Risen Jesus on that first Easter announce to the disciples what has morning. happened. So in our four gospels we have these wonderful texts that The first of our gospels, Mark, indicate that the women, above tell us that Mary Magdalen, all Mary Magdalen, were the first Mary, the mother of James, witnesses of the resurrection, and Salome, go to the tomb commissioned by Jesus or angelic and learn from a young man, persons to be the proclaimers of clothed in a white robe, that the good news to the male disci- Jesus has risen and gone before ples and apostles. Most of us seem them to Galilee. They are charged oblivious of the important role that with telling Peter this good news. belongs to women as first witnesses But they are seized with trembling of the resurrection. The first readings, and bewilderment. Some commenta- all from the Acts of the Apostles, clearly tors argue that this is a negative reaction indicate that Peter is the key witness on the part of the women while others, of the Resurrection, and therefore the most notably Australian Jesuit, Gerald one who most appropriately preaches O’Collins, Professor at the Gregorian the good news to others. In popular University in Rome, suggest that silence tomb, and then are commissioned by tradition, as distinct from the gospel and awe are a suitable response to the both an angel of the Lord and the risen tradition, Mary Magdalen is not the first mystery of the resurrection, and after Jesus to go and tell the male disciples witness of the resurrection, the one who all, it is obvious that the women did that Jesus has risen. Luke tells us that

18 Tui Motu InterIslands brings the good news to the male disci- the Great in turning Mary Magdalen tuous Mary Magdalen, though in the ples, but a prostitute, a repentant sinner, into a prostitute was continued by other wake of the Counter Reformation, he though there is no scriptural evidence men who were fascinated by this beauti- gave her a loose fitting gown, a shawl that allows such an interpretation. ful repentant sinner, reformed prostitute and book, and she was transformed into and contemplative woman. The great a penitent sinner. Ignatius of Loyola, o what has happened? There are Renaissance artist, Titian, delighted in the founder of the Jesuits, invited those a number of possibilities that can painting a plump, sensual and volup- doing the Spiritual Exercises to reflect on explain why Mary Magdalen, first Mary Magdalen in their meditation of witnessS of the resurrection, proclaimer death. Mary is imagined as pensively of the good news of the resurrection holding a skull, laying aside her fine to the male disciples has become clothes and expensive jewellery a prostitute, a repentant sinner. in exchange for a crucifix. It In Luke 7:36-50, we have the was indeed the tears of Mary wonderful story of the sin- Magdalen which gave rise ful woman whose sins are to the term “maudlin” forgiven by Jesus, and first used in the 17th who washes his feet with century to mean mawk- her tears. She is a model ishly emotional and sen- of true repentance, un- timental. like Simon the Pharisee, in whose house this in- Throughout the 17th and cident occurs. Luke does 18th centuries, the most not say that the woman was pervasive image of Mary a prostitute, though certainly Magdalen was the penitent that is how most of us perceive woman in her grotto, naked, her. Never does Luke identify this meditating upon death and weeping woman as Mary Magdalen. Unfor- for her sins. Her nakedness relates to her tunately, later patriarchal Christian femaleness and her sexuality as well as the figure of a woman as a repentant tradition had little difficulty in collaps- to her repentance and rejection of the sinner, as a reformed prostitute than ing Mary Magdalen into the sinner of world. Powerful overtones of nuditatis with a woman as the first witness of the Luke 7. criminalis, the sin of lust, for which she resurrection, the one who proclaimed to has been pardoned, is always present. All the disciples that Jesus indeed had risen? Some early commentators also linked of this is a far cry from the gospel story her with the promiscuous Samaritan Modern biblical scholarship has re- of the woman who remained faithful to woman at the well of John 4, and the Jesus to the end. woman taken in adultery in John 8. trieved for us a more biblically ap- propriate picture of Mary Magdalen There are no scholarly grounds for such Women today can well ask why the as female disciple, apostle to the the associations, but they all contributed to church has been more comfortable with the false perception of Mary Magdalen apostles, first witness of the resurrection. as fallen. Indeed, Pope Gregory the Traditionally the Catholic Church has Great who died in 604 gave ecclesi- focused attention, particularly the at- astical approval to these traditions by tention of women, on Mary, the mother declaring that Mary Magdalen, Mary of Jesus, as the model for women. It http:// of Bethany whom we read about in has dismissed Mary Magdalen as the Luke 10:38-42, John 11 and 12:1-8, penitent, sexual sinner, thus providing a and the sinful woman of Luke 7 were convenient female scapegoat for sin. But www. one and the same woman. Until 1969, Magdalen’s role as apostle and witness the gospel reading of the feast of Mary needs retrieving in today’s church where Magdalen was the Lukan story. It was women faithfully serve in the commu- biblesox. org. not until the 1969 calendar changes that nity. The story of Mary Magdalen as the wonderful reading from John about first witness to the resurrection, as the Mary Magdalen as the first witness of one commissioned to bring the good nz the resurrection was returned to her news of the resurrection to the male liturgical celebration. disciples should significantly affect our understanding of the role of women in Prior to that, the work of Pope Gregory the contemporary Church. ■

Tui Motu InterIslands 19 christian ethics Marching to a different tune

Former President of the Methodist Church, Selwyn Dawson, writes the first article of a Tui Motu series on the Beatitudes of Jesus. In the lectionary, 1999 is the year of Matthew: it is in Matthew’s Gospel we find the basis for the Christian ethic in the Sermon on the Mount – and in the Beatitudes

t is hard for modern readers to un- Caesar’s peace had been imposed and understand what he meant by that derstand how shocking – even ab- was maintained, not by sweet reason often repeated phrase, the Kingdom of surd – the beatitudes must have but by the mailed first. When Jesus God, the kingdom of heaven, or just Iseemed to those who, perhaps in the called peacemakers children of God, the kingdom, we will never be able to bustling market place of Capernaum, he must have been jesting. Some did understand, not only the beatitudes heard Jesus utter them for the first time. indeed yearn for righteousness, but how but everything else Jesus was on about. Did the young prophet’s words leave could their innate sense of goodness Contrary to what many believe, he did his workaday hearers scratching their and justice expect to survive, let alone not come to bring in a new ethic, a new heads, and wondering if he had lost be blessed, when they came up against code of conduct for human behaviour. touch with reality? the hard realities of a society where evil He came instead to initiate a new order, was deeply entrenched? a new way of life, summed up in that How in their hard cold world could shorthand title, – the Basileia, the kingly The beatitudes today still strain our the poor in spirit ever expect to inherit rule of God. When through faith men credulity since our world in its essence a kingdom? How could the bereaved and women commit themselves to that is not so very different from theirs. Even ever find blessedness in their mourning? new order, they discover that their lives Christians, doing their best, may find Was Jesus joking when he told them the have taken on a new dimension, that the rarefied air of the beatitudes leaves meek would inherit the earth? Could they are directed by new impulses, have them gasping. What authority then do those who longed for righteousness as access to new powers and see the world they carry? Are they an actual prescrip- the hungry and thirsty long for food through fresh eyes. Outwardly nothing tion of the code of conduct which God and drink, ever expect to be satisfied? much may appear to have changed, requires us to follow in our day-to-day In their world, mercy was a rare but inwardly, as St Paul understood, behaviour or do they describe an im- commodity, seldom given or received. “If any one is in Christ there is a new possible dream, an idealism far beyond How then could they practise mercy, creation; everything old has passed anything which can be expected of us? and expect in turn to receive it? No away: see, everything has become new!” one in all their long history had ever The beatitudes are, in fact, neither (2 Corinthians 5:17) seen God – not even Moses. Could any demanding rules nor hopeless n another connection Henry mortal so purify his heart as to achieve aspirations. Jesus is describing the kind Thoreau wrote, “If a man does not that vision? of life those who are already citizens keep pace with his companions, As for peacemakers – in their world, of the kingdom of God will begin perhapsI it is because he hears a different such people were hardly taken seriously. to experience and exhibit. Until we drummer. Let him step to the music

20 Tui Motu InterIslands which he hears however far away.” world’s braggarts, bullies and wealth Christians are those who indeed march accumulators. Longing to advance to another drum, and know themselves further into the kingdom, and never to belong to another kingdom. Even satisfied that they are serving God as he Threes while remaining citizens of this world, deserves, they discover that increasingly participating fully in its life, enjoying their lives are being transformed from All good things come in threes. its richness and beauty, they know that within. Desiring only to know and do Didn’t you know? they have an overriding allegiance to God’s will they enjoy a clarity of vision Look and see. that other world’s values and goals. which sees into the heart of things, and They also know that the kingdoms of enables them to view their world as Root, stem and branch this world are shot through with false through God’s eyes. C a l l e d t o Deeply seeks its hidden food values, and that the one who buys into make peace wherever they encounter Reaches high towards the light them and lives by them will be building strife and conflict in a fractious world, Opens wide to share its fruit. his house on sand. they may not be held in much esteem, Look and see. but they know inwardly what it means Jesus came to initiate to enjoy their Father’s approval. Even Water, earth and air a new order, a new when called to pass through the fires of Birthing womb of all that is misunderstanding and persecution, they Solid place to stand upon way of life will know that they are not abandoned, Space to fly and soar released. but are still in God’s hands. Understood in this way, Jesus’ words in Look and see. the beatitudes can be seen in a new light. Viewed in this way, Christians can treat The poor, the marginalised, those the the beatitudes as signs and markers of Rain, sun and wind world may adjudge as failures can hold that hidden kingdom which Jesus came Moisture softens hardest shell high their heads knowing that through to bring. They will continue to march Warmth expanding germinates faith they belong to a kingdom which to that drum whose beat is not heard Rushing breath to spread the seed. will outlast all earthly power systems. by most in the hubbub of the world, Look and see. His followers may well know sorrow and but they listen for it, and are alert to its mourn their earthly lot, but will know significance. They know that it leads to Solid, liquid, gas the comfort of God’s reinforcement eternal life experienced in part here and Compactly firm and tangible within. They may appear to live meek now, but that in some unimaginable Flowing plastic flexible and modest lives, without much clout or future they will see the King face to face. Only to knowledge visible. worldly influence, but the future under That knowledge is sufficient to redeem God belongs to them rather than to the the present and light up the future. ■ Look and see.

Father, mother, child Sperm in joy ejaculates Warmly mates to eager egg Conceived, unknowing, brought to birth.

Look and see.

Father, Son and Holy Ghost Gently moulds the universe Delight of brother in his kin Flame and oil and peaceful dove.

All good things come in threes. Didn’t you know? Look and see.

Jan Emson

Tui Motu InterIslands 21 recreation

SPORT –

healthy ...or the new secular religion?

n the north-east coast of Eng- and managed for so many years seemed land is the town of Sunder- to have become a sad travesty of that land, once famous, among fascinating game. Now most teams Oother things, for shipbuilding, Pyrex seemed to employ only one attacking ovenware and a football team. This player, 90 percent of the game was Tui Motu reader, football team engaged the interest of virtually played in the midfield at a New Zealanders, when, in 1973, they safe distance from either end, pretty Mike Marshall, were the winners of the first F.A. Cup much relying on individual breakouts final to be televised live to New Zealand to score the all-important goal. Safety offers this lament in the middle of the night. As a boy in first. There was too much at stake to play the 60s I regularly went with my Dad to really interesting football. Winning had on the way watch ‘the lads’ play at Roker Park, the become everything. But more than that. mecca of this particular team, and my A friend of mine and a soccer fanatic professionalism is equivalent of Eden Park or Carisbrook. has just returned from England. Soccer In those days the teams lined up with totally dominated the media – it has steadily wrecking two defenders, three midfielders and five ceased to be a game, he said. It has also the sports he has attacking forwards. become an industry. Last year my daughter became an avid Soccer has ceased loved watcher of English football so the World Cup became a must-see activity in our to be a game – it has house. My passing interest increased become an industry as the competition progressed. But the more I watched, the more I was This, of course, is typical of all sports, appalled. The game I had idolised, fan- not just soccer. Nobody is interested in tasised, written about, played, coached second place. But it is more than that.

22 Tui Motu InterIslands Sport has become the international actually watch the game!” heading towards legalised violence for religion. It is videoed from umpteen the voyeuristic pleasure of the armchair angles, dissected, discussed, highlighted, In the lead up to the soccer or rugby Caesars. World Cups, Olympics or Common- analysed, profiled, replayed – it takes al- The fanaticism of the public at large most 30 percent of our TV news, about wealth Games, how much money is spent lobbying or bribing to secure with sport begs the question... are we 40 percent of our radio news and a good more involved today because it’s ‘in our chunk of our daily newspapers, as well the venue? How much is spent on the opening and closing ceremonies alone? faces’ all the time, or is there a genuine as many hours of TV time and spawns interest – more so than 50 years ago, countless magazines, books, computer Yes, there are short-term spin-offs for the country involved, but ultimately at say? Has the level of interest moved games and ‘greatest moments’ videos. beyond participation, support and what cost? In fact, how many sporting entertainment to fixation? Those of us events, team or individuals, can now who remember sport in the days before sport needs to be survive without sponsorship? TV – if they were to take a step back and essentially fun for all The current attitude to sport is just one take a real objective look – might well children involved not so obvious manifestation of the 90s’ say that standing in the rain at Roker thinking that promotes one-upmanship Park or listening to the Cup Final on During my 29 years teaching I was and an ‘I’m all right Jack’ attitude in our the radio had a greater degree of in- heavily involved in coaching a range business and social world as the new volvement and excitement and genuine of sports in primary school. One of first commandment. Why do we need interest than all the wall-to-wall telecasts my cornerstone beliefs was that sport sheep-shearing champs, cat shows, best (on two channels plus Sky!!) that we can needed to be essentially fun for all gardens, gumboot throwing contests, channel-surf through today. children involved, not just those who waiters’ races? Why do we need to pick were skilled or sportsminded. This oc- here do we, as Catholics and winning entertainers in Showcase rather casionally brought me into conflict with as Christians, stand? Do we than just enjoying their talents? We all those who always wanted to be ‘best’ need to? Some very hard have a degree of competitiveness, and in questionsW were asked and answered in team on the field and whose sole aim some it is more acutely present than in was to collect cups. 1981 when the Springbok Tour chal- others. In fact we would probably have lenged the nation’s sensibilities. Yet this The advent of Kiwisport into our not survived or evolved as a race had is potentially a bigger threat because it is schools was a godsend. Over the years this not been so. so far-reaching and insidious. Is there a I was involved in Kiwisport we played All humans need challenges in their solution to the sports dilemma? some 22 different sports, with cut down lives, but that is not the same as the Ideally, we could take it off TV. Instead, equipment that kids could handle, no apparent driving requirement to be the more than five-a-side, so all the kids best, fastest, first or biggest. I find it hard play it, watch it live or listen on the were involved, had a chance to develop to understand why Peter Hillary needs radio. Take it off TV and radio news. real skills, learn there were more sports to walk to the South Pole or Richard Remove corporate sponsorship. Drop available in NZ than rugby, netball and Branson needs to fly around the world the superleagues and huge variety of cricket, and have some fun. As the years in a balloon – why do these people get so competitions. Make sport amateur, or passed, the lobbying from within part of much media coverage and why are they at least pay sensible wages – same as any the parent body grew for participation regarded as some kind of hero? other NZ ‘average’ worker – $34,000 in ‘real’ sport once again. p.a. I am not so naive that I can’t antici- In the current world climate that puts so pate the howls of outraged pragmatism The changes to sport over the last decade or so – the huge amount of corporate investment, win-at-all-costs attitudes some solutions... remove corporate sponsorship and huge media coverage – have taken pay sensible wages it far beyond team participation, take sport off TV personal satisfaction, individual fitness and simple entertainment. It has much importance on financial rewards that leap out in response to these sug- become a business. No? How many and winning, what was a perfectly gestions. Would this actually confront fewer Cantabrians can now get into healthy competitive trait has been the attitudinal problem that underlies Lancaster Park – sorry, “Jade Stadium” shaped and directed, at the top level, this? Maybe the first step is to simply – because of the corporate boxes? It has into something positively dangerous, admit that the problem actually exists. ■ now become a trendy meeting place for increasingly reminiscent of a Roman gathering to eat, drink and socialise. amphitheatre. At the risk of sounding “Good god, darling, no we didn’t melodramatic, professional sport is

Tui Motu InterIslands 23 mission

Rokko Catholic Church, Kobe, Japan-1995 Stained Glass: Gaston Petit, OP

Tui Motu recently interviewed Kevin Toomey OP, on a tour of duty round the Pacific. Fr Kevin spoke of the problems and the successes of the process of acculturation

Acculturation in East Asia

cculturation is a challenge in all the Christian churches the foothills of the Japanese Alps, 100 miles NW of Tokyo. of East Asia. Behind it is an abiding desire of indig The whole monastery looks like three farmhouses joined to- enous peoples to be independent and to be them- gether – and it is built to look like that. The life of the Sisters selves.A Dominican Fr Kevin Toomey, who acts as Visitor for centres around a tiny chapel. The floor is of Japanese maple. the Dominican General throughout Eastern Asia, has taken The stalls are simply wooden prayerstools on either side of a note of the widely differing ways acculturation is presently tiny altar raised only a foot above ground level. The furniture taking place. is made of Japanese woods: there is no Western influence at all. The whole space is bathed in natural light from high-up In Japan for instance, one of the most technologically ad- latticed windows. It is prayerful and exquisitely beautiful. vanced countries in the world, some of the churches built in recent years are all Japanese in their style and flavour. You The movement towards acculturation in Japan arose especially feel when you go in, says Fr Kevin, that you are in a ‘Japanese after Vatican II through the work of a Dominican priest, space’. At Xavier University in Tokyo there is a brand new Fr Oshida OP, who recast the Catholic ritual through the students’ chapel the shape of two intersecting ellipses. Twelve medium of Zen – hence the tiny low altars. The bishops at soaring columns support a very high roof: the 12 Apostles first were outraged, but now this style has diffused throughout physically embrace the liturgical space as a way of helping Japan. In other monasteries Kevin visited, he found a strong the worshippers feel a part of the universal Church. The new influence of Japanese culture. For instance, the Christian churches are often lavish in design and detail, reflecting the wealth of Japanese society. Scriptures have been melded into a Japanese frame. The result is dignified, contemplative – with a strong emphasis And yet the Japanese Christians are equally at home in an on silence and joy. As a race the Japanese are eclectic. They environment of extreme simplicity. Fr Kevin visited a small find no difficulty in accepting ideas and cultural themes community of contemplative Dominican Sisters at Bandai in from outside – but they will transform them into something

24 Tui Motu InterIslands essentially Japanese.

n the Philippines, however, styles of liturgy and build- ing are still very evidently Spanish. It has been that way for centuries, and has pervaded the whole of Filipino Isociety to its roots. The population is 86 percent Christian. Religion is very devotional, centred especially on Mary and the Saints and rooted in popular traditional practices. People frequently visit their churches, kissing, touching and embrac- ing statues of their favourite saints. It’s Latin – yet it’s also Filipino. The old missionary style still holds. The national shrine to Our Lady at Manaog in N Luzon attracts thousands of pilgrims. Crowds will enter the great basilica on their knees, but although it reflects Latin devotion Baptistry, Yamato Takada Church, designed by Gaston Petit, OP in other parts of the world, it is still nevertheless their Filipino way of prayer. No wonder therefore that they resonate so warmly with Pope John Paul. ietnam is quite another story. There you see a church But it is also true that the liturgical changes are all evident. in tension, surviving in the shadow of a functioning Thousands come to communion. At Santo Domingo church Communist regime. The state wants the benefits of in Manila there are 14 Masses on a Sunday and up to 12 Vthe capitalist world, but it seeks to keep religion under strict special ministers are needed. The charismatic movement control. flourishes, as does the Cursillo movement. And in the shanty towns Mass is often celebrated out in the open because there Christianity is very much alive and has to fight to survive. It are no churches, and people come in large numbers. is a vital church, but always with one eye over the shoulder to see what the controlling force of the government is up At the same time the Filipino bishops have been very out- to. Some degree of accommodation is necessary. Fear is not spoken on social justice issues. In the countryside where perceptible; it is there nonetheless. In issues of social justice there have been grave instances of oppressive injustice the activist priests have to operate round the fringes: the state movement of ‘rural action’ is strong. Cardinal Sin remains would not tolerate open confrontation. a powerful and influential figure. He had a big hand in toppling Marcos. Each week he goes out to visit the poor Last year the state tried to seize some church land. The peo- areas – even if it is rather like the procession of a benevolent ple sat down on the state highway, including some very old monarch. He speaks many languages and is very hospitable. women, to disrupt traffic. It was a gesture, but for the most To English- speaking visitors he says; “Welcome to the house part the church has to keep within the rules to survive. Just of Sin!” Catholicism is an essential part of modern Filipino as in Poland, the religious life and vocations to the priesthood society and culture. It is ‘part of’, not a cultural layer imposed flourish. It is said that ‘Vietnamese Catholics do not fear com- from outside. munism – they know their enemy; but they fear materialism’.

Catholicism was an import from France and Spain three centuries ago, and about 7 percent of the population are Catholic. Likewise there is a very alive Buddhist minority. Relations between Catholics and Buddhists are good. Many Catholics look to the best of the Buddhist religious tradition to blend with their Catholicism. There is a strong movement in favour of more contemplative prayer. So, the two groups seek for common ground while acknowledging that their theologies and ways of looking at morality are poles apart.

Kevin Toomey is of the opinion that true acculturation is the fruit of a process of prayer. Prayer forms develop over centuries, and customs of prayer will often tend to converge. Perhaps this will be the hope of a new century – a world seeking unity in God. ■ Rokko Catholic Church, Kobe, Japan M.H.

Tui Motu InterIslands 25 in memoriam

Charles Davis: Living the Truth

by Mary Eastham

y now the Christian community around the world knows Florence Davis, an accomplished theologian herself, suggested Bthat Charles Davis died on 29 January in Edinburgh at that our group of young families might engage other young the age of 76 after an extended battle with Parkinson’s disease. families living in poverty in order to establish networks of He was a giant among those eminent theologians whose work support and solidarity. So, instead of coming to dinner, we paved the way for Vatican Council II – Karl Rahner, Gregory prepared the meal and went from church to church, meet- Baum, Edward Schillebeeckx, John Courtney Murray and ing people, listening to their stories and discerning how we Raimon Panikkar. might make a difference in someone’s life. This ideal was the originating impulse for the St Pat’s Community Café, which At the height of his career as England’s most prominent has provided a monthly community meal in Palmerston theologian, Charles Davis left the priesthood and the Church North since 1994. in the 1960s. Why? He had come to believe that the institu- tional Church was deeply immoral because the Magisterium The Davis family also hosted meaningful paraliturgical often suppressed the quest for truth. celebrations. Ceremonies to bless expectant parents come to mind. A “Blessing of the Mother” celebration was the In A Question of Conscience (1967) Davis put forward a catalyst for fathers to express the joys and apprehensions of carefully reasoned argument. He maintained that the Church being a father in a society where fathers often default in their as a social institution was subject to historical and cultural responsibilities. distortions that often result in error. Any assertion of truth, therefore, must be examined critically. The Magisterium e count the five years we shared with the Davis family should encourage this work, not suppress it. Equally Win Montreal among the richest in our lives. Anthony important, Christians must dedicate their lives to forming and Claire are both following in their parents’ footsteps. communities of love and justice. Anthony is studying Social Policy and Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh where Claire is completing a Davis also believed ecumenism to be one of the most crucial doctorate in theology. ■ issues facing the Church – not just the quest for Christian unity but the dialogue between Christianity and world reli- gions. He believed that Christians could hold to the unique- ness of the Christ event while also respecting the truth in Free other great religions. This was the subject of his bookChrist Christopher and the World Religions (1970). News Notes In 1987, our paths crossed in Montreal. Charles was Principal of Lonergan College at Concordia University, named after the Over 60 titles to choose from – below is a selection Canadian Jesuit, Bernard Lonergan. My husband, Scott, was visiting scholar then, giving a year long course on the works Especially for Teens of R Buckminster Fuller, American inventor and philosopher. #328 Youth and Alcohol The Davis family adopted us into their family; their daughter #348 Speaking of Sex Claire is our youngest daughter’s godmother. They lived the A message for young people, from young people principle that the family was the centre of community. They #355 I am Somebody! embodied the ideas Charles expressed in his books, What A message on self-esteem for teens, from teens Is Living, What Is Dead in Christianity Today? (1986) and #378 Tearing Down the Walls Religion and the Making of Society (1994). Young people deal with their differences Every Friday evening the Davis family hosted a dinner and #391 The Pressure’s On opened their home to students and their families. A key focus Young people talk about peer pressure was how we might live out the “preferential option for the If unavailable at your local Parish Church write to us poor”. Charles observed that we all claimed to care about today... all items available free on request: the poor, and yet we were a group of middle-class academics The Christophers, P O Box 1937, and graduate students. He asked: “Do any of us even know Inspirational ❋ Timely ❋ Practical by name any poor people”?

26 Tui Motu InterIslands stage and screen

Little Voice vide a flawless Marilyn Monroe and Review: Nicola McCloy then, quicker than blink, sound exactly like Judy Garland. LV’s fictional talent y post-Oscar depression has seen Cinema is outstripped by the very real talent Mme avoid cinemas for the last wee displayed by Horrocks. Playing a role while. Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance in which she manages to pretend to at the Oscars was almost enough to put be a dozen other people is a challenge me off going to the movies ever again. If with her overbearing and – let’s face which most actors would never tackle. it weren’t for Roberto Benigni’s ecstatic it – tacky mother, played divinely by Jane Horrocks makes it look easy. She is acceptance speech, I would have been Blethyn. LV lives for her dead father’s an incredible talent with a great future. sorely tempted to hang up my keyboard huge collection of Marilyn Monroe, and popcorn forever... Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland and the However, it is Michael Caine who is the scene stealer on the cabaret front. But then along came Little Voice. I could late great Dusty Springfield records. Ray’s swan song is one of the most hi- not resist the combination of Michael She also happens to have the voice of larious things I have ever seen on film. Caine and Brenda Blethyn (Secrets and an angel. The fabulous, on-screen relationship Lies). They are two of Britain’s funniest This is an hilariously entertaining film between Caine and Blethyn alone makes character actors and the chance to see which portrays LV’s struggle against this a film worth seeing. Their portrayal them together was not to be missed. her mother and small-time promoter, of a couple of middle-aged teenagers is Added to an already star blend was a Ray, (Caine) as well as her blossoming so marvellously ghastly that you can’t personal fave, Ewan MacGregor (who relationship with a pigeon-fancying tel- help but like them. I can’t wait to see in the new Star Wars ephone installer played by MacGregor. movie) and Jane Horrocks, best known Little Voice is well worth seeing, particu- for her role as Bubble in Absolutely Probably the most staggering thing larly if you are partial to any combina- Fabulous. With a pedigree like this, about it is the fact that Horrocks pro- tion of British humour, classic music, Little Voice was never going to be a dud. vides all the voices for LV’s one woman medallion-wearing nightclub owners, The movie is based around an unusual cabaret act. It is almost impossible to or pigeon fanciers! ■ story of a girl, LV (Horrocks), who lives believe that a single person could pro-

Jerusalem the arms by a twisted shroud-cloth Choreography: Michael Parmenter Theatre that had served as a tablecloth for Music: David Downes the Last Supper, and his agony was Review: Professor Jocelyn Harris swiftly mimed. For the resurrec- tion scene, the church scene fell away to be replaced by a huge and heering, stamping, whistling and with the more seductive prostitutes stunning backdrop of the promised vehement applause burst out and their men. In a liberating moment land – McCahon’s “Otago Peninsula Cfor Michael Parmenter’s energetic, they first tore off the clothing that from Peggy’s Hill”. The resurrected beautiful dance-opera Jerusalem. defined them, then excitedly put on dead, dressed in flame-like garments, What made the audience feel they other people’s clothes to signify their rang out chimes on bell-ropes, then had witnessed an historic event in choice of sexual and social identity. rose up on them in a very ecstasy of New Zealand theatre was a seamless Clad in a robe-like garment, the lead liberation. combination of sinewy, exuberant dancer evolved into a sweetly strong dancing and whole-hearted, piercing Christ-figure that the poet Herbert Spirituality and dance have al- choral singing and solos that drew would have recognised. He even ways belonged together, as Shona on European and Maori harmonies, contained Mary Magdalen when he MacTavish said next day at a panel all based on spiritual, allusive texts let down his hair and softly brushed discussion, and Ian Wedde con- drawn from Baxter, Blake, Herbert, the feet of the other ‘disciples’ in an firmed the power of word and dance Hopkins, the Psalms and the New act of humility and love. even for a secular audience. Michael Testament. Parmenter’s decision to premiere the The events of Christ’s life were acted work in Dunedin was fully rewarded Couples in Victorian clothing wrestled out ingeniously and simply. for the by the excitement that had brought unhappily with each other, alternating Crucifixion, he was pulled up under everyone to their feet. ■

Tui Motu InterIslands 27 books

spectacular homecoming as Bishop Verdon, one of the chief A rich oral history pioneers of the College, had in 1900. This inconceivability Southernmost Seminary: The Story of Holy Cross College today is a reflection of how social and church life has altered in by Dr Peter Norris the course of this century. The book is full of other reminders Holy Cross Seminary 1999 of this kind into the way we were. Price: $38 (inc.p&p) Review: Professor Gerald Pillay Readers are drawn into the pioneering years, to the difficulties faced during the two World Wars, the challenges raised by outhernmost Seminary: The Story of Holy Cross College, on the Second Vatican Council, the development of university Sthe face of it, is a story of the pioneering efforts at Catholic accreditation and the eventual decision to move the Col- theological training in New Zealand. As one reads, however, it lege from Dunedin to Auckland. Each of these episodes in quickly becomes clear that the story is much bigger than how the unfolding story are windows into both Catholic life in one seminary far in the south began, developed and changed New Zealand and into the wider New Zealand society. They over almost a hundred years. It is full of insight into early indicate the changing attitudes to education, the calling to Catholic life in this country and the changing face of a vital priesthood, ecumenism and some of the challenges facing the part of New Zealand society. Catholic Church here and abroad. Peter Norris, a graduate of the College and later a lecturer The book makes compelling reading and is full of interesting there, tells the story in compelling fashion with an eye to the information for both historians and the general reader inter- challenges that both students and staff faced. It records for the ested in church and society in New Zealand. Peter Norris, first time the struggles and the successes of this theological a church historian and one who is keenly concerned about enterprise, and in the process “brings to life” some well-known Catholic life and thought in New Zealand, does not gloss names and events from the past. The history of this seminary over the difficult parts of the story but writes with empathy is not joyless, and Norris is not humourless. The book is rich and balance. He has done a great service in gathering the rich in colourful anecdotes. For example, it is almost inconceivable oral history that would otherwise be easily lost and in writing that a bishop returning from a tour abroad could have such a a lucid and insightful history. ■

With No Regrets: The Story of Francis Vernon Douglas Martyr’s life well researched by Patricia Brooks Claretian Publications, 1998 ficult to get information was Japan, with interested in the missionary work of the Price $14.50 only one Japanese person responding to Columban Missionary Society and wanted Review: Paul Hitchfield her requests. Perhaps there is more to be to work in China. After being accepted uncovered there. into the Columbans he was sent, not to hy a good and generous God allows China, but the Philippines. catastrophes of the scale of a world The book tells of Vernon’s early life in Wwar to befall the human race and why un- Johnsonville, with an Irish mother, Aus- In the Philippines he worked in somewhat deserving people are sometimes tortured tralian father and seven brothers and sis- difficult circumstances and found the and murdered, are enduring questions. ters. The accounts of Irish Catholic life in language difficult. After Pearl Harbour Catastrophes sometimes cause fine quali- Wellington during the first three decades the Japanese Imperial Army moved in. A ties of character to be displayed and wars of this century when people often lived in million Filipino nationals were to die as produce heroes. Perhaps one such hero is large families amidst conditions of finan- a result of the war. Vernon eventually fell the New Zealand priest, Francis Vernon cial insecurity, are interesting. Catholics foul of the Japanese army and the book Douglas, tortured and almost certainly with minimal resources put up churches contains eye-witness accounts of some killed (though his body has never been of the brutality he endured. He bore up found) by the invading Japanese in the and schools. It was said of the O’Neills, under it bravely. The reasons why he was Philippines during the Second World War. local people, that “They lived on bread The Church may in time officially recog- and dripping but they built churches”(p.9). treated as he was are not altogether clear. nise him as a martyr and saint. Was he killed because he refused to reveal In 1927 at the age of 16 Vernon entered what he knew through the confessional or His story has been told recently by Patricia Holy Cross College, the seminary which because he was protecting others, refusing Brooks in With No Regrets, a book into prepared young men for ordination to the to speak about the guerillas in the area? which ten years of research has gone. The diocesan priesthood. Accounts of life there author has drawn on a variety of sources are also interesting. Vernon was a good With No Regrets is undoubtedly an and talked to a large number of people in sportsman and made a favourable im- important book in that it is a careful New Zealand, the Philippines, the United pression on most. He was popular among attempt to clarify the historical record. The States, Australia, Ireland and Rome. The the seminarians. Soon after ordination author has tried to collate as much place from which she found it most dif- Vernon was appointed to Opunake parish in Taranaki. However, he had become ss

28 Tui Motu InterIslands life, struggle and hope. Pacific art forms are alive and potentially evolve with the Faith and Art in the S Pacific changing world.

Arts in the Religions of the Pacific: Symbols Moore’s work covers a huge geographi- Early missionaries with their under- of Life cal area and diversity of artistic expres- standing of theology and cultural by Albert C. Moore sion. He identifies a common legacy. perspectives, discouraged important Published by Cassell People and their surroundings are not expressions as part of the Pacific way Price:NZ $74.95; A$48.95 in isolation from their ancestors. The of life. Moore’s work opens up op- Review: Winston Halapua connecting power of living art forms portunity for discernment and new displays the interwoven reality of people choices. The arts in the religions of the his book is a work of a lifetime. I and environment. Art forms motivate Pacific convey an eternal message. Life Tsalute Moore for the distinct con- and invite experience and encounter. is sacred. The interrelationships which tribution of this scholarly work. His They are not properly seen as frozen connect the past, the present generation book reflects an attempt to do justice in the past but rather as expressions of and the future are more than viewing to the diversity of arts in the religions ongoing relationship. Moore’s insights life as personal property and possession. Pacific people are challenged to resist of the Pacific. He opens up windows for prompt people in the Pacific to see trends which reduce art to commercial readers to see the common roots of the themselves more clearly. His insights commodities. The recognition of the people in the Pacific. provide windows for the outside world significance of artistic expression will to appreciate more deeply the living art I celebrate Moore’s findings which reverse the dominant and prevailing forms of the Pacific. promote a deep appreciation of arts in cancer of our present world – the cos- the context of religions in the Pacific. oore’s work helps raise some fun- mos treated as a commodity. Arts are an ancient and important means damental questions. To what M The contribution from arts in the realm of communication. Oral forms of art extent are the people in the Pacific today of transcendence will be enriched by and visual forms are closely linked. expressing meaning in their art forms? encouraging Pacific people to articulate Moore identifies the close connection How relevant are the religious ideas the story embodied in arts from their between the spoken word in the forms conveyed through pictures and symbols own perspectives. The arts are an of oratory, music and dance with the from another context? Are Moore’s find- integral part of our own evolution role of painting, carving, masks and ings a prompt for urgent revision in the and development, and Moore’s book other art forms. approach to communicating religious points to the vital significance they may values in the Pacific context today? Through Pacific arts, important stories continue to have for Pacific people as of how people related to one another and Through his skilful discernment and they connect with the roots of their to their world are expressed, preserved display of the rich diversity of arts in reality and enter the future. ■ and celebrated. Arts in the Pacific the religions of the Pacific, Moore helps convey the life of the people. They are me raise issues relating to the contextual (Albert Moore was Associate Professor of deeply religious significance. Moore’s and theological relevancy of western arts of Religious Studies in the University of book unveils arts as living expressions which still dominate in the Churches of Otago) of relationships between people and the Pacific. ancestors, and between people and their whole environment. Arts speak of Moore’s book leads me to a deeper We will find those books interrelationship as sacred. They carry understanding and appreciation of the for you! the stories of close connections from richness of my background as a Pacific Books mentioned in this paper, one generation to another. Islander. To be connected to God, to the or any other books you can’t find, world around and to one’s self expres- can be ordered from: sions arising deep within the life of the Pacific, has a vital significance. Rituals O C Books are part of Pacific life. Dance is in the verifiable information as possible and does not give in to unprofitable bloodstream of religious expression. Tollfree 0800 886 226 speculation. Whether or not enough Drums and music echo the oneness 39 Princes St, Dun- will ever be known about Vernon with the rest of creation. The outdoor edin Ph/Fax (03) 477 Francis Douglas and his fate to allow is an important dimension of religious 9919 email: canonisation (and a New Zealand saint) experiences. Pacific carvings, weaving, remains to be seen. His cause certainly tapa design and painting are expressions Visit our website http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~mcrowl seems to be a good one. ■ of religious values and identity. They communicate and transmit a way of

Tui Motu InterIslands 29 comment

Who will inherit the keys of Peter?

hile Easter proved to be a spir- popular movements against govern- Witual desert on our television ments and to look with suspicion at screens, one fascinating programme Crosscurrents socialist pressures. The Church has to emerged late at night on Easter Day. tread a delicate path between the ac- Papabile: the Men Who Could be Pope was by Caliban ceptance of a government which may be a splendid documentary from the BBC abusing human rights and the welfare Everyman stable. Beautifully filmed, sibility because of his conservatism. He of its citizens. John XXIII wrote, “If carefully edited and with suitable choral was familiar with the North Americans civil authorities legislate for or allow backing, the producers set out to explain and had the dubious advantage of cover- anything that is ...contrary to the will the ancient ritual of papal selection ing his conservatism with a liberal face. of God, neither the laws made or the and to describe some of the most likely But at 72 his age would be against him. authorisations granted can be binding candidates. Reputable journalists each on the consciences of its citizens, since gave considered authoritative opinion A Cardinal outside Italy winning God has more right to be obeyed than on the chances of various Cardinals. At favourable comment was Belgium’s man.”(Pacem in Terris, 1961 n.142) the end it certainly looked as if John Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Paul’s successor would be an Italian, Malines, who appears to have a foot in When the College of Cardinals meet familiar with Vatican politics and wise each of two worlds. He was described in conclave – a wonderfully descriptive in the ways of the Curia. as a charismatic and popular figure who word which once meant a lockable room took a conservative stance in matters – they will be housed in comfortable One commentator put forward the theological but whose support for social quarters instead of the usual discomfort, view that within the Vatican the Polish justice had been clearly expressed. and it is likely that they will take their experiment, – the choice of Pope John time. The longest conclave (of three Paul II – had had both positive and he great dilemma for the future years) took place in the 13th Century negative results for the world-wide TChurch is her ability to cater ad- while the shortest lasted one day. But Church; he believed the College would equately for the burgeoning congrega- one thing is certain. No women will look to Italy for John Paul’s successor. tions of Africa and South America. The emerge as candidates nor is there likely bridge to be crossed here is between the to be any change given to the status of The candidate favoured by the media wealth of the established Church and women in the Church from the present is Cardinal Carlo Martini, Archbishop the grinding poverty of the emerging College of Cardinals. This is another of Milan, often dubbed by the press Church. The Africans are evolving a issue which the leaders of the Church the ‘heir apparent’. A successful author distinctive style of worship while in must face in the next decade. and an excellent communicator with South America the politics of Libera- the ability to move easily in the cor- tion Theology have deeply polarised the If the present Pope had a choice he ridors of power; urbane, accessible and Church. The documentary offered view- would probably choose Cardinal Lusti- multi-talented, he appears the ideal ers film of the Cardinal Archbishop of ger, the Archbishop of Paris, whose candidate. But one writer warned that Sao Paulo, Paulo Arns, addressing his family background is Jewish. One as champion of the liberal wing, Martini people and assuring them that privileges commentator reminded us: the French would be unacceptable to the majority would be swept away, and that this astrologer Nostradamus had predicted of the College of Cardinals. Eamon equality would signal the new heaven that when a Jew ascended the throne Duffy, a Cambridge historian, was also and the new earth that would be their of St Peter, that would herald the end opposed to the charismatic Archbishop, Brazil. The Archbishop himself, we were of the world! noting that the Pope should not be a told, had sold his palace to build hous- superman, expected to possess heroic ing for the poor. When the time comes for this, the most qualities. Such a character, he believed, exclusive club in the world, to make its made communication and constructive The Church of the new millennium great decision in conclave, they already critical dialogue difficult. Also, Martini must be seen to accommodate such have, standing by for them in the Sistine is a Jesuit, and no Jesuit has ever been concerns within her government and chapel, three white Papal soutanes, one called to the throne of Peter. not merely dismiss such men as left large, one medium and one small, for wing agitators. Pope John Paul’s deep the person of their choice. ■ Cardinal Pio Laghi, on the other hand, fear and distrust of Marxism has en- appealed to the commentators as a pos- couraged his administration to distrust

30 Tui Motu InterIslands n June 1998 a meeting of the Vati- and argues that there are various paths ploring the publicity the affair had been Ican Congregation for the Doctrine to salvation in God’s plan. given. He said that the CDF’s action of the Faith (CDF), chaired by Cardi- was “simply to send some confidential In many sections he echoes the thoughts nal Ratzinger, opened an investigation questions to Fr Dupuis.” of Pope John Paul II in his encyclicals, into the theology of Belgian Jesuit, Fr where the Pope speaks of the deep Jacques Dupuis, who has been teach- However, recent past experience would respect for the “treasures of human ing in Rome. The decision brought a indicate that when the CDF sends such wisdom” in other religious traditions; reaction from theologians and church questions, retractions have to be made, an acknowledgment made also by the people everywhere. a period of silence imposed – and even Pope in Assisi in 1986 when he invited excommunication invoked. The Archbishop of Calcutta wrote per- representatives of the world’s religions sonally in support of Fr Dupuis, who to discuss common ground. hen Fr Dupuis heard that the Congregation were questioning had worked many years in India. “I am In an unusual move the retired Cardinal W seriously concerned,” he said, “over the his orthodoxy he was so upset that he Konig spoke out: “...I cannot keep silent had to be hospitalised for two weeks. news that you are under investigation for my heart bleeds when I see such ob- by the CDF. I could hardly believe the vious harm being done to the common Jim Neilan news. You have been known for your good of God’s Church”. The Cardinal orthodoxy and steady pursuit of theo- had himself studied for decades the Cardinal Hume seriously ill logical reflection in conformity with the subject of interreligious dialogue, and Church’s teaching.” was full of praise for Dupuis’s book. Cardinal Basil Hume, who has been Dupuis, he notes, is a theologian who Archbishop of Westminster for the The Congregation’s questions concerned always asks first ‘What is the Church’s past 20 years, wrote two weeks ago a book of Dupuis Towards a Christian teaching and intention?’, and always to his priests saying that he had been Theology of Religious Pluralism, in works in conjunction with Church diagnosed with cancer and that it which he tries to answer the question: teaching and papal documents. was at an advanced stage. He reas- “Whether theology is able to assign sured the priests that he accepted the to the plurality of religious traditions He concludes: “I consider the Congre- situation calmly, but hoped that he a positive meaning in God’s overall gation has moved too fast and too soon would be spared to see in the new design for humankind”. Dupuis gives – on the threshold of the Third Millen- Millennium. Cardinal Hume is a an overview of Christian approaches nium these are the very issues that are Benedictine. to other religions down the centuries, decisive for the Church’s destiny.” Cardinal Ratzinger replied to Konig, de- TUI MOTU-INTERISLANDS

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Tui Motu InterIslands 31 postscript

associated with the mastery of a body of On being professional knowledge. Increasingly in our own age professionalism has come to include the nce I was helping a friend prepare priestly and religious vocation ceased to notion of social separation and advance- Ofor a 25th Wedding celebration. be attractive because it has ceased to be ment up the social ladder to a place of We were interrupted by a young visitor prophetic? power, wealth and esteem. who asked us what we were up to. The man’s jaw dropped when he heard. “I Early in the life of Tui Motu a thought Religious living in community were tra- didn’t think anyone did that marriage provoking series of articles appeared ditionally cautioned against particular thing any more,” he said. I smiled to written by Sr Stephanie Kitching. It friendships. Such caution arose from myself, wondering what he would struck me at the time as appropriate that an idealised understanding of spiritual make of my wife Maria’s parents who a religious should reflect on the nature love as being universal, impartial and had just celebrated their 60th Wedding of professionalism because a ‘profession sacrificial. In our own age we have seen anniversary! of faith’ in Jesus and the values which the ascendancy of a scientific para- flow from that faith is at the heart of digm which underlines the value of a Later Maria and I were in Belgium their commitment. Indeed the very detached, observing expert. These two at a retreat for families, during which word profess is historically associated notions have combined in an unfortu- Cardinal Danneels visited. He said he with religious communities: it implies nate way to shape a new understanding thought marriage was the prophetic commitment from the heart. Vows of of the professional as an observer who vocation of our times. In an age when availability take the ‘professional’ on is a detached dispenser of knowledge, broken relationships abound, I am a journey down the social ladder to be care and help. For such a professional, certain that living a faithful committed in vulnerable relationship with people relationships can never be mutual or relationship can offer a profound and especially loved by Jesus. This may be reciprocal. This is what we typically call counter-cultural example to our society. characterised as a model of solidarity ‘professional distance’. and ‘professional closeness’. But what of the prophetic example of The meaning of the word professional priests and religious? We are witness- Historically, with the emergence of has been turned upside down! Jesus ing a global decline in the number of Scholasticism and the rise of the uni- chose the path of professional closeness. people serving God in this way. Has the versities, the word profession came to be That’s a prophetic vocation for any age.■

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32 Tui Motu InterIslands