THE PRIEST Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy

Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia. ISSN 0818-9005 Where Peter is, there is the Church. Vol 9 No 2 - November 2005

CONTENTS

Chairman’s Remarks From the Windows of the Roman Curia Father Michael Kennedy 1 Monsignor J Anthony McDaid 14 Radicalism, roots, fidelity The Fraternity of ACCC: Archbishop Barry J Hickey 2 a 20-year personal reflection On language usage Father John J Walter 18 Editor 4 On Benedict XVI Rights and the Administrative Process Anonymous 4 in Canon Law Fleeting idea led to a priestly vocation Monsignor J Anthony McDaid 24 David Williams 5 On Catechising Children In Memory of His Holiness John Paul II Father Paul-Anthony McGavin 29 Father Peter Mitchell 6 Sacred Time The Role of the Priest in the Church of Today Monsignor Peter J Elliott 30 Bishop William J Brennan 10 Review of On Clerical Celibacy Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year and boys and men serving the sanctuary of God Bishop Luc Matthys 34 Editor 13

Encouraging young priestly vocations

Vocations will certainly not be lacking if our manner of life is truly priestly ... (Pope John Paul II, 13 March 2005). THE PRIEST the journal of the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy Editor: Rev Paul-Anthony McGavin, MTh, PhD, MACE PO Box 246, Jamison Centre ACT 2614 [email protected] Chairman’s Remarks Editorial

The Year of the Eucharist that has recently come to a close has been This issue, like the last, is an expanded issue, reflecting both the a year of great graces for the Church. It has also been the bridging need further to record impressions of the death of the late Holy year between the pontificates of the Great John Paul II and our Father, and to record impressions of 20 years of the Australian beloved Benedict XVI, who has enthusiastically carried forward Confraternity of Catholic Clergy. It is of course a daunting task the late Pope’s emphasis on the Eucharist. In his discourse to the for a Parish Priest to handle so much text, and I am grateful Parish priest’s of Rome on 13 May 2005, Pope Benedict called of assistance in proof reading and sub-editing from our South priests to live the Year of the Eucharist rediscovering the friendship Australian representative, as well, of course, the publishing of Christ and making it the key of our priestly existence. “The Lord interface assistance provided by Ignatius House Services. It would calls us his friends, he makes us his friends, he gives himself to be helpful to have someone to assist with photograph selection us in his body in the Holy Eucharist, he entrusts us to his Church. and editing, and offers of assistance are invited, And thus we must truly be his friends, to have with him only one along with more clerical proof-readers! Please desire, to want that which he wants and not to want that which he God, these labours will continue to bear fruit, does not want.” Pope Benedict invites us with some insistence to as priests are encouraged in priestly life, young consider this intimacy with Christ as a pastoral priority: “So that men are drawn to that vibrant life, and our laity the time to remain in the presence of God is a true pastoral priority, are encouraged in upholding priestly life in the and in the final analysis the most important.” Church of God. These words were very much in my mind and heart during the Holy Rev Dr P. A. McGavin, Editor Hour of Eucharistic adoration on the opening night of this year’s ACCC conference in Perth. Kneeling before the Lord together with my brother priests I was fully aware that the priesthood is a I invite all the priest members of the ACCC to reflect upon these vocation of service and self-giving (in imitation of the Eucharist), words of Pope Benedict, to rediscover on a daily basis our friend- but also aware that we are privileged to be called in a particular ship with Christ in and through the Eucharist, to be adorers of the way into Jesus Christ’s circle of intimate friends: “I no longer Eucharist, both in the way we prepare for and celebrate Holy Mass call you servants, but friends.” I could not help but compare the and in the time we remain, or abide, in his presence, and to carry experience with that of the Apostles being taken aside to a quiet with us into our Lord’s presence all our parishioners and those to place to rest awhile with the Lord. whom we minister. Pope Benedict has consistently returned to this theme of the In this twentieth year of the ACCC the contribution relationship of the priest with the Eucharist, most recently in his of past chairmen are acknowledged elsewhere in Angelus address of 18 September: “As the year of the Eucharist this edition of The Priest, but here I wish person- draws to a close … I am thinking in particular today of priests, ally to thank the immediate past chairman, Rev in order to emphasise that the secret of their sanctification lies Fr John Walshe, for his dedication to the task and precisely in the Eucharist. … This great miracle of love, which for his assistance and advice to me personally: the priest is called ever more faithfully to witness and proclaim Thank you. is renewed at his hands. This is why the priest must be first and foremost an adorer who contemplates the Eucharist, starting from Rev Michael Kennedy the very moment in which he celebrates it.” National Chairman

ACCC EXECUTIVE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES Clergy ordained more than 5 years $100 National Chairman Secretary Vice-Chairman Rev Michael Kennedy Rev Dr John Kennedy Rev Gregory Pritchard PP Clergy ordained less than 5 years $50 PO Box 553 PO Box 46 362 Station Street Retired clergy $50 Albury NSW 2640 Ballina NSW 2478 Chelsea Vic 3196 Seminarians no dues payable Councillors NSW Rev Anthony Robbie (02) 9746 7245 Lay Associates $20 Editor VIC Rev Glen Tattersall FSSP (03) 9532 4154 Lay Pensioners/Retiree: $10 Rev Dr P A McGavin PP QLD Rev Tom Keegan (07) 4632 1899 PO Box 246 Jamison ACT 2614 Longer Term Membership 5 yrs 10 yrs SA Rev Lew Wray (08) 8431 4496 Clergy $450 $875 WA Rev Timothy Deeter (08) 9328 4518 web site: Lay Associates $90 $175 http://www.australianccc.org/ Co-opted NZ Rev Nicholas Dillon ACT Rev Kevin Brannelly Treasurer TAS Rev Gerald Quinn CP Rev Paul Crotty Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia. 28 Norman St Port Pirie SA 5540 Where Peter is, there is the Church. Membership and dues to: ACCC Secretariat, PO Box 151, Artarmon NSW 1570 Phone/Fax: (02) 9411 6144

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1 The Priest Radicalism, roots, fidelity: Conference dinner talk to ACCC annual conference, Perth 2005 * Most Rev Barry J. Hickey has been Archbishop Barry J Hickey* Metropolitan Archbishop of Perth, Western Australia, since 1991. The talk title and A test of episcopacy is whether it gains clarity with experience. headings are due to the Editor. The clarity that is evident in this talk – so enthusiastically and appreciatively received by the Conference brethren – was evident also in his homily at the Opening Mass, where, among other A contrary view to the theological elites things, he touched on the renewal of religious life (including consecrated life for women) in his diocese; his promotion of In what I say now I will be revealing much of myself. clerical dress and clerical life; and his intention to ordain 8 Normally I accept that a variety of views can co-exist in young men this year. These influences were also evident in the the Church, and I believe, if only theoretically, that I can’t participation of young priests ordained by Archbishop Hickey always be right, but I do think it is time that someone that had drawn the annual Conference to Perth, and in the offered a contrary view to what is apparently the accepted presence of young and habited religious – mainly from new position of the theological elites in Australia. So “here congregations – at the conference Public Lecture at Notre Dame goes”! University Australia in Freemantle. Perth showed signs of a diocese “on the move” – a movement led by a bishop detaching himself from the ephemera of fashionable secular influences, and In the first place many of the reforms so ardently desired re-asserting the perennial values of the Church of Jesus Christ. by the elite are not necessarily part of the vision nor of It is a privilege to be able to publish this address to our 2005 the authentic spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The Annual Conference (Ed.) values that Vatican II acknowledged in the world (such as the recognition of fundamental human rights, freedom of Reviewing the post-Vatican II scene conscience, personal autonomy, freedom from discrimination and prejudice and a just economic order) highlight many of Lately I have been reading commentaries by Australian the good movements that we should all endorse. It is the theologians about the Second Vatican Council which Christian view that all human dignity comes from God concluded forty years ago. The Council opened in 1962. the Creator, enhanced immeasurably by the fact of the The first Decree was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Incarnation. However a too naïve acceptance of the world’s Sacrosanctum Concilium, which was issued on 4 December goodness can lead to a lot of trouble. 1963. The last Decree was a tie between Ad Gentes on the Church’s Missionary activity, Dignitatis Humanae on It must be acknowledged that the implementation of these Religious Liberty, Presbyterorum Ordinis on the Ministry human values without the guidance of the Gospel can lead to and Life of Priests, and Gaudium et Spes the Pastoral totally unacceptable consequences like the right to abortion, Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. All four the conditional rights of unborn children (especially those latter Decrees bear the date 7 December 1965. diagnosed with a disability), the acceptance of a variety of actively sexual lifestyles outside and within marriage, and What were our theologians saying? Running through all the unqualified right to choose. All of these consequences, their writings was an almost universal theme of pessimism. hailed as the fruits of a liberated modern civilisation are They were not complaining about the Second Vatican already destroying that civilisation, exposing already Council. For them it was the greatest Church event in recent their destructive nature. Embracing the values of society memory. They were lamenting the blocking of the reforms must be qualified sharply by revealed truth that the world that Vatican II had given rise to in the Church. They were cannot offer. dispirited, frustrated and at times angry, losing hope of recovering any momentum for further change. Contest of models of the Church Who and what did they identify as responsible for slowing Some have placed their trust in a more democratic Church. down reforms, even reversing them? They held that the We should be careful not to conclude that the spirit of the policies of the Vatican, recent Episcopal appointments and Council would lead inevitably to a democratic or even a the influence of backroom conservatives are the reasons synodal decision making process in the development of why the advances inspired by Vatican II have stalled – in doctrine or in the redefinition of sexual morality or life the enculturation of the liturgy; in the participation of issues as some other churches have done. These issues, the laity, especially of women; in the decision making crucial in contemporary society, are none the less – after processes of the Church; in the ordination of married all the discussion and theological reflection – subject to the men and in moderating the law of celibacy; in a renewed final teaching authority, Peter. understanding of human sexuality and in the inclusion of minority lifestyles in the Eucharist. These Bishops, they Welcome though it was at the time, the assertion of Vatican say, are now in place. The future is firmly in their hands II that it would approach the modern world not so much even with a change of leadership in Rome. We are in a with dogma and morality but with love and an openness to state of crisis, they say. Yes, there is a crisis, but I consider movements of the Spirit, was never intended to forfeit the not the crisis they think. Church’s dogmatic and moral responsibilities.

November 2005 2 The social and moral upheavals since the Second Vatican The crisis of the present time will not be met by aligning Council – unforseen to a large extent – require as much a ourselves too closely to the values of contemporary society, response from the Church as open and sympathetic listening. but by lives of radical love, poverty, trust and generosity. As Chesterton once said: “An open mind is like an open mouth. Eventually it must come down on something solid.” Don’t re-run failed experiments A time for something solid It has been said that if we do more of the same we will This is the time for coming down on something solid, food get the same results. Many have been pursuing a path for the soul and mind, not the bitter fruit of unbridled choice whose disastrous results are starkly visible now. It will liberated from Gospel scrutiny. It is my view that the dangers not help to continue the same policies. I refer of course to of immersing oneself too much in contemporary culture are the precipitous fall in Mass attendance over the last forty overcome by becoming counter-cultural. years, the ignorance of Catholic teaching and traditions among our Catholic and State school leavers, the lack of Let us take biblical theology for instance. Our understanding statistical difference between Catholics and the population at of the formation of the books of the Bible has been enormously large in marriage breakdowns and remarriage, in the use of advanced by literary and historical criticism and explication, so contraception, the frequency of abortion, the lack of courage that we can know fairly accurately what the texts meant in their to publicly affirm Catholic teaching among lay leaders in original context. We know the difference between Scriptural society, the collapse of Religious Institutes and vocations truth and historical truth. We accept the Judaic and rabbinical to the priesthood, to name a few. A recent commentary on language of the Bible and of Jesus himself, and are careful not to the Church Life Survey said that there was little evidence impose on the texts mediaeval, or contemporary philosophical or that this trend was about to be reversed. We must examine theological intellectual constructs. All this is of invaluable help what has led to this situation and resolve not to continue the for which we are grateful to and somewhat in awe of Catholic same policies. I cannot rejoice in this evidence of a Church biblical theologians of world repute. What is missing here? in decline. I cannot blame it on Rome nor on the Holy Spirit as a sign of the time calling us to reshape the Church. The Catholic religion remains radical Church has already been reshaped by the acceptance of secular values, in themselves good but naively embraced What is often omitted is the radical nature of the Bible. We with little critical judgement applied in the light of Scripture, should be terrified by Jesus saying – “Sell what you have, give Catholic teaching and Catholic history. it to the poor and come follow me”. Who among us has done that? Or by his words “Forgive not seven times, but seventy by seven times”. “If you lust for a woman you have already Weight of bureaucracy and secular processes committed adultery” or even “Take my yoke upon me and learn Even the value of participation and decision making by the of me for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest laity has had unfortunate results in leaving us with all the for your souls”. Jesus also seems to say “Do not resist evil done disadvantages of bureaucracy, meetings and management to yourself”. Amazing! processes, let alone the expense of setting all this up and keeping it going. The simplicity of Gospel can easily be These words cut through our attitudes like a sword, a two- eroded by bureaucratic structures that make the Church a edged sword, cutting away our attachments to self and our place of employment and career advancement. There must possessions, opening us up to the power of God’s word. Maybe be better ways of drawing the whole Church into active the theologians leave this to the spiritual directors, but this is participation than by copying the ways of the world by not always made clear. What I am trying to say is that the crisis becoming a massively large employer. of the present time will not be met by aligning ourselves too closely to the values of contemporary society, but by lives of Catholic religious practice radical love, poverty, trust and generosity. This is what Jesus The prayer life of the Church has not been unaffected by the said then and is surely saying to us now. Our personal lives “reformers”. The Devotions once enthusiastically promoted are to contrast sharply with the ways of the world, as we try to are now at best tolerated. Priests generally avoid them, for enter the Kingdom of love, justice and compassion by living perhaps the wrong reason. What we are left with is the Mass, by biblical standards. the Eucharistic Liturgy. There is the source and summit of our life in the Church, but some how it has been left all Priestly asceticism alone. The devotions have been cleared away. Statues and Those of us who are called on to give special witness to these crosses have disappeared from the houses. Family prayer values, the Priests and Religious, would do well to examine is not spoken of much. Just the Mass. “Only the picture”, the lifestyle we have grown used to – of money, expensive not the frame that accentuated its mystery and importance. restaurants, the best wine, houses that lack nothing, books to We have enough theological reflections on the Mass to burn, and emotional attachments that are not consistent with understand what we can of the great mysteries it celebrates, total self-giving to God. Asceticism may well be our proper but participation is still cold, formal, wordy, without warmth, response to the affluence with which we are surrounded. Even as if we should all be intellectuals who can appreciate the our commitment to the poor will lack credibility if we are not layers of meaning. While people still come to Mass, those poor with them, as we must offer what we have – not gold and who do, are looking for a total experience of reverence, silver; that is the responsibility of society – but the life-giving mystery, pageant, prayer, community worship, looking for Word of God. A conversion of lifestyle maybe part of the answer the Bread of Life from the Word of God and the Lamb of to the present crisis. But there is more. God. It is difficult for Mass to supply all this, and without

3 The Priest is a document of several hands and incorporates submissions from many conferences of bishops and individual bishops, and thus does not have a quite consistent language. Sometimes the phrase “spirit the additional devotional life they remain unsatisfied or they of Vatican II” is used in a sense that is integral to the intentions look in other directions – the friendliness of the local Bible of Vatican II as these are expressed in conciliar documents, other church and the experience of the Spirit they find there or the times “spirit of Vatican II” signals that the Instrumentum Laboris assured promise of enlightenment of some New Age path, is but a “working document” that is still “in progress”. Anyway, or simply more sport. these remarks serve to highlight the language usage in the B16 panel! (Editor) Return to roots Now is the time to diagnose the reason for our sickness and On Benedict XVI to apply the remedies. I believe the remedies are to be found It has not been possible in this issue to include further material in a return to the simplicity of the Church’s life and teaching. that expresses the pleasure of ACCC members at the election of We have become too bureaucratic and too much part of the Pope Benedict XVI – look forward to the next issue world. There are signs already that the present Holy Father on this! But soon after his election, the following – with his approach infused with the mind of St Augustine of unsolicited and anonymous e-mail was received. Hippo –believes that a smaller, simpler Church is inevitable It is included mainly because its humour – that and may be necessary for the present. In that community, appeals to the Editor – may appeal to readers. But removed a little from the world, new energies and missionary it is also pleasant, some months later, to notice in the language of the piece that “further trials zeal will grow, enabling the Church to recapture the secular have proven that the use of B16 is not harsh or society, much like the approach of St Benedict, whose name difficult”! (Ed.) he chose, and who formed new communities to preserve and offer again to humanity the good news of Jesus Christ. B16 Studies have conclusively proven that people taking B16 daily Fidelity to orthodoxy will continue to have smooth running and orthodox metabolism The virtue of orthodoxy is not simply to be right. That for years to come. B16 in trials has proven not to be harsh or would be egotistical. The virtue of orthodoxy is that only difficult as had been initially reported. in the truth can one begin to see God’s purpose for us and You might have been told in the past that Humanae Vitaemins his love for us. were not good for you or that if your conscience decided you Fidelity to the truth gives us the assurance that God is active didn’t need Humanae Vitaemins you could safely ignore in the world and in our lives. It helps us understand better the them. Latest cultural medical studies have proven the link treasure of the Kingdom of God which is infinitely greater between lack of Humanae Vitaemins and the lack of children. than a treasure buried in a field or a pearl of great price. These studies show the extreme cultural malnutrition from not getting their RDA (Ratzinger Daily Allowance) of required The faith entrusted to the Church is a blessing in itself but it spiritual nutrition. is also a means to an end, not just intellectually satisfying. It allows us to see how radical is the Gospel, how our lives Now with B16, Ut Unum Sintrum, has all the required nutri- can be transformed as we enter more deeply into God’s ents you have relied on in the past and more. B16 works well kingdom, how we can trust God absolutely, how we can with and expands with needed daily intake such as VatII and love truly and be loved – in brief, fidelity to the truth can JP2 (Beta-Karoltene) and will not interfere in any way with open us up to the work of the Holy Spirit so that we can them. In fact the synergetic effect will only enhance your grasp fully “the breadth and length and height and depths spiritual metabolism. of Christ’s love, and experience that love which surpasses The B16 caplets have a special smooth coating allowing all knowledge, so that (we) may attain to the fulness of God you to swallow them without any water. Yet it is true with himself” (Eph.3:18-19) B16 you do not have to water it down in any way. Our B16 On language usage is doctrinally pure with no heretical impurities such as those found in anti-Humanae Vitaemins. Studies have conclusively Language of course varies in different usages. In most contexts, proven that people taking B16 daily will continue to have “innovation” is a positive term, since to be “innovative” is usually regarded in contemporary culture as something positive. But in smooth running and orthodox metabolism for years to come. liturgical culture, the test of value is usually not discontinuity but B16 in trials has proven not to be harsh or difficult as had continuity, and “development” may be regarded favourably, with been initially reported. “innovation” as a term of aspersion. It is in this sense that in 2000, We are also introducing Ut Unum Sintrum for children since Cardinal Estevez as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship your children are never too young to start off with proper and Discipline of the Sacraments, described the introduction of women and girls as sanctuary servers as an “innovation” (Protocol spiritual growth. Parents will be pleased to know that our number 2451/00) (published in Notitae 37 (2001):397-99). Another Humanae Vitaemins are not sugar coated, just like everything example of different language usage occurs in the panel on Benedict else we offer with B16 in it. Guaranteed not to cause truth XVI, where the phrase “Spirit of Vatican II” is used. The term “spirit decay or any form of spiritual rot. The children’s tablets come of” something or other is usually used to imply that some action or in fun shapes like German Shepherds and Rottweilers. response is in accord with the intentions of such-and-such. Much however that has happened since Vatican II has been done with B16 has been known to cause allergies, shrill behaviour, and disregard for the actual intentions of the Council Fathers, and has coughing fits to some theologians, clergy, religious, and laity. been marketed in terms of “the spirit of Vatican II”. One means Especially those who have had Spirit of Vatican Flu in the of detecting whether something is truly in the “spirit of Vatican past. Tell your health care provider if you are dissident and II” or not is to notice whether or not there is citation of Vatican they can help you overcome your deficient diet and prepare II documents. Instrumentum Laboris, a working document for you for true health with full dosages of B16. Or contact your the October 2005 Synod of Bishops published in L’Osservatore local Orthodoxpedic surgeon for further information. Romano 20 July 2005 provides some interesting cases in point. This

November 2005 4 Fleeting idea led to a priestly vocation

David Williams

At 32 Father Michael de Stoop has come a long way since Rev Michael de Stoop he first thought of becoming a priest at a mere seven years of Assistant Director of Vocations, age. “At that age, I don’t think one has the capacity to make Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia. decisions like that,” he recalls now with a smile. Although the idea was fleeting, his upbringing and the values that his Along with Vocations Director, Bishop Anthony Fisher and family instilled in him ensured that a religious calling would fellow Assistant Director, Fr Joseph Kolodziej, Fr Michael never be to far from his mind. promotes vocations through schools, parishes and youth groups. And although he is still learning the ropes, he is Now, 25 years later and the boy from West Pennant Hills is finding his new position both challenging and rewarding, helping other young men to decide whether a life as a priest is particularly since the numbers [for Sydney diocese] join- for them. Just a short time ago, Father Michael was appointed ing the priesthood these days are on the increase. “I would Assistant Vocations Director for the Sydney Archdiocese. say that the figures are the best they have been for 15 or 20 A young man with clear memories of his own calling – and years,” he says. “Ever since 2000, there have been more than the uncertainties and questions involved in making such a 10 students entering the first year, where it was only one or decision – have made him the ideal candidate for the job. two back when I joined.” Father Michael reckons that there Throughout his secondary school education at St Joseph’s are a number of reasons for this, but he does believe that College in Hunter’s Hill, the idea of one day becoming a young men seeking fulfilment are viewing the priesthood priest “niggled” at Father Michael, but it wasn’t until he in a much more favourable light. “I think that the world has left school that he really started to think about it. Then, two promised various degrees of happiness and has failed to significant events occurred. “I remember one night I was deliver,” he said. “People are now more open to searching reading The Passion of the Christ in bed and a tear came where happiness can be found, and when they have found when I thought of all the suffering that He went through on it they are giving their lives to it. And others have been our behalf,” he said. “Not long after that, I was driving a excited by this news, too. “What we have also seen is that friend home of whom I was fond, and she asked me had I the quality of guys coming through now is excellent. They ever thought about joining the priesthood. I couldn’t sleep are all looking to join the priesthood for very good reasons, that night. My grandparents and other friends had already whereas before some may have been attracted by the status asked me this, but when she said it, it came as quite a shock,” associated with being a priest. The Church has also gone he says. through some tough times of late, but there is a saying that Despite his initial surprise, Father Michael saw his friend’s ‘a persecuted Church is a strong Church’. And the Church query as a challenge, and he sought the advice of a close is getting stronger every day. You could say that when the family friend, Fr Robert Slattery. “Fr Robert was the first ‘going gets tough’, the ‘tough get going’! “ [that is, more priest I could really identify with,” he said “I also spoke young men “go” for a “tough” priesthood, and priestly voca- to the then Vocations Director.” Although three years into tions increase (Ed.)] a teaching course at Australian Catholic University, Fr Reprinted with permission from 7 August 2005 issue of the Michael opted out and worked in a hardware store for 12 Catholic Weekly, page 39. Minor editing due to this editor. months and made further inquiries during that time. At 21 The four go-ahead dioceses that lead in vocations growth in years of age, he entered the seminary. After completing his Australia include ACCC members in leadership, and Father seminary studies in 1999, Fr Michael was appointed as an de Stoop is one such. (Ed.) assistant at All Saints’ Parish, Liverpool. He was ordained a deacon in 2000 and a priest on 8 June 2001. Vocations to the Sacred Ministry Although he is still a young man and with many, many more years of priesthood ahead of him, Father Michael is Editor’s Note already utterly convinced that he has made the right choice The chorus about “vocational shortage” or “vocational in life. “Whenever I have been asked things like, ‘have you crisis” in Australia reached even the October 2005 Synod ever had any regrets’, or ‘what is it that keeps you going’, of Bishops. This crisis however is no longer Australia- I respond by saying that ‘you can’t get distracted if you’re wide. Overwhelmingly, the seminarians for Australia are attracted!’” “I am moved by the nature of this attraction, as candidates for just 4 of the 28 dioceses. Ranked in terms of depicted in the insightful words of St John of the Cross: ‘If seminarians as a proportion of Catholic population, these your desire for God is so great, then imagine what God’s dioceses are: Wagga Wagga, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. desire for you is like in order for you to desire him’. And It is interesting to note that each of these dioceses has ACCC that’s the awesome thing about the priesthood. It exists priests in leadership roles of vocational promotion and/or because Christ wishes to identify himself with humanity. vocational formation and education. The evidence is clear And when his desire to associate himself with humanity is that where bishops offer opportunity for young men to pursue felt by certain individuals like me, words can’t express the a classical Catholic priestly identity with a consonant for- awesome things that stir within me: that Christ wishes to mation and education, then vocations will be forthcoming, identify himself with me personally only ever increases my and will flourish. The above article instances these wider desire to identify myself with him.” observations. (Ed.)

5 The Priest In Memory of His Holiness John Paul II: An eye-witness account by a young priest in Rome

Father Peter Mitchell * Many readers appreciated the expanded commemorative last issue of this journal that paid tribute to our late pope and hailed our new pope – all of which happened in the closing editorial period for that issue! ACCC priests are still exuberant at the Holy Spirit’s giving us His Holiness Benedict XVI. It seems fitting that this journal should present a fuller enduring tribute to our late Holy Father. This is in the form of an extended eye-witness account of the obsequies by a young priest from Nebraska, USA. (Ed.)

Writing the Evening of Saturday 2 April 2005, Rome I have just returned from St Peter’s Square. To my knowledge the Pope has not died. The piazza was packed with people of our prayers which are accompanying the Pope in this praying, many holding candles, praying the Rosary, or hour of his agony. singing softly. I was especially touched by the quiet and peace in the square. There was a real sense among all those There is an ancient custom in the Church to pray to St present that we were witnessing history and also a sense of Joseph, the Foster-Father of Jesus, for the grace of a happy solidarity with Pope John Paul as our spiritual father. The death. It is believed that St Joseph died in Nazareth in the crowd was mainly young people – I sat with a group of high arms of Jesus and Mary. We are praying that the Holy Father school students from Wisconsin that was here on pilgrimage will be given the grace of a happy and peaceful death. for Easter Week, all of them kneeling and praying the Rosary. There was also a group of Italian students nearby sitting in a It is hard to believe this is all actually happening. I have circle and singing softly. A few young women from France wondered what this moment would be like. I am only 31, and joined us for part of the Rosary. It was so moving to see these I do not remember any other Pope. I entered the seminary young people and their love for the Pope. One young girl, in 1993, when I was 19, after attending World Youth Day in perhaps 15 years old, began sobbing uncontrollably and many Denver. He is truly my spiritual father, as he is to so many of other people were moved to tears as she cried. my generation. Tomorrow will be an interesting day. I will write more as soon as I can. 9pm. Several bishops began to lead the Rosary in Italian. It was interesting that the mysteries chosen to be prayed Writing at 2am on Sunday 3 April 2005, Rome were the new Luminous Mysteries which Pope John Paul The Pope has died. After a day of quiet and prayerful waiting himself created in 2003 and gave to the Church. Passages we finally received word of the Holy Father’s passing. John of Scripture were read, as well as quotations from the Holy Paul II is dead. It seems impossible that I am writing these Father’s addresses to young people. One of the reflections words. This whole day has seemed surreal. My glimpse of quoted the Holy Father reminding young people that “the it as follows. path to the glory of heaven always goes along the Way of the Cross through Calvary.” The Pope in these difficult hours is After leaving St Peter’s Square at midnight on Friday night, I living the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection which was back at 6.15am Saturday morning. I woke up and could he has proclaimed so constantly and faithfully during his not sleep and decided the best place to be was near the Pope, 26 years as Pope. both physically as well as in spirit. The square was quite empty at that early hour. A few Polish pilgrims held a sign When he appeared at his window on Easter Sunday, I was that said in Polish, “We are with you.” Some Italians sang also in St Peter’s Square, and there was again a real sense that quietly and prayed the Rosary. this was a powerful and historic moment. Although he did not speak, the fact that he was determined to greet and give 7am, Saturday. I went into St Peter’s Basilica and celebrated his Easter blessing to all the pilgrims was a sign to us of his Mass at the altar of St Pius X, who was pope from 1903 to love and unwavering dedication to his mission as head of the 1914. I began Mass with three people attending and ended Church. As he silently blessed the crowd and made the sign with a group of several dozen people gathered around the of the Cross, many of us had the sense we would not see him altar. As it was First Saturday, I especially entrusted the again. It was his farewell to his beloved children. Pope to the care of Our Lady of Fatima, who asked that the first Saturday of the month be especially dedicated to her We will continue to pray through the night here as we wait Immaculate Heart. It was on the anniversary of the apparition for further news. Here in our house, the Casa Santa Maria, of Mary at Fatima, on 13 May 1981, that John Paul II survived (home to 70 American priests studying in Rome), there is a the assassination attempt on his life. The Pope attributed spirit of prayer and keeping vigil. Outside our chapel there his survival to her, and it seemed to me this morning that is a statue of the Pope and this evening a small candle was she was going to take him to the Lord on her special day. lit next to it which will burn throughout the night, a symbol

November 2005 6 The morning and early afternoon were spent at home with At one point in the prayer service, one of the bishops who the radio on. There were no announcements about the Pope’s was speaking asked everyone to lift a round of applause condition for most of the day, and gradually we realised that up to the heavens. The entire piazza began clapping, and this meant there would be no news until the announcement sustained this applause vigorously for almost ten minutes. It we were all waiting for would be made. was quite remarkable. Towards the end of the applause, some young people began the favorite chant, “Giovanni Paolo!” 4pm, Saturday. I attended a Mass celebrated by Francis and soon the entire square was calling out the name of our Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria in the parish church of St Anne, beloved father. The crowd then joined together in singing the which is located in Vatican City. Literally in the shadow of Our Father in Italian. The prayer service concluded with the the Pope’s apartments, I joined the Cardinal in praying for singing of the “Salve Regina” in Latin, an ancient hymn to the Pope and also for seven young people from Wisconsin, Mary asking that “after this our exile” she will “show unto us including my youngest sister Maria, who received the the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus.” A prayer that I know on Sacrament of Confirmation from the Cardinal. They had this night has been answered for John Paul II. A light shone on scheduled this day months ago and also reserved the church, the icon of Mary and the Christ child which John Paul himself and in God’s Providence they found themselves at the centre put in the square after the assassination attempt in 1981. of history in the making. In the sacristy after the Mass I helped sign and stamp the certificates of confirmation, all About a block from St Peter’s Square, all-night adoration stamped with the Vatican seal and dated 2 April 2005 – they of the Blessed Sacrament is being held at the Church of must have been the last seven people confirmed during the the Holy Spirit, which was dedicated by John Paul as the pontificate of John Paul II. Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Rome ten years ago on this feast day, Divine Mercy Sunday 1995. I attended part of a 6pm, Saturday. We returned to the square, which by now Mass there which was jammed with people. At the moment was so jammed with people that it seemed like the crowd of the customary prayer for the pope during the Eucharistic which gathered for Easter last Sunday had multiplied itself ten prayer of the Mass, there was only a prayer for the bishops times over. Cameras, microphones, and reporters swarmed all of the church and no mention of the Pope ... because there over the square, while the crowd sang, prayed, and waited. is no Pope. Also at the time of the prayers for the dead, the priest prayed “for our brother John Paul ... in baptism he I went out to a dinner held in honour of the young people died with Christ, may he also share his resurrection.” That who had been confirmed. We were on our way back towards moment made things hit home for me. St Peter’s when we heard the news that the Pope had died at 9.37pm Rome time. I was actually standing at a bus stop a It has been an exhausting two days to say the least. Tomorrow few hundred metres from the catacombs of Saint Callistus, at 10.30am there will be a Mass celebrated in St Peter’s built in the third century AD and holding the tombs of Square. I hope to attend and to continue to be a privileged several of the ancient popes, including Saint Fabian, Saint witness to these momentous days. Sixtus, and Saint Zephyrinus. I led the young students in prayer as we waited for the bus and thought that John Paul Years and years from now, we will all be telling the story of II must now be in the company of those great Pontiffs from these days. For each person I know there is a specific grace the ancient church. and message from God during this graced time. I know because I am witnessing an outpouring of grace in this city Taking the bus back to the Vatican took quite a while, as we of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Let us all be attentive to what expected. We were jammed onto a bus and stuck in heavy the Lord may be saying within us as we bid farewell to the traffic. The students, all between 14 and 17, prayed the great prophet and witness of our times. Rosary aloud on the bus and sang hymns to Mary and Jesus. Their devotion was so inspiring and obviously impressed “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!” These many on the bus. were the words of the Pope as he opened his pontificate more than 26 years ago. Tonight as his pontificate ended Christ 11.30pm, Saturday. We arrived at St Peter’s Square. The opened wide the doors to John Paul II. May God grant him entire Via della Concliiazione which leads into the square eternal rest. was a mass of humanity. People were covering the square, some kneeling, other sitting wrapped in blankets, others Writing at 11pm, Sunday 3 April 2005, Rome walking or staring at the windows of the papal apartments, The Feast of Divine Mercy which looked the same as last night ... but the Pope is no “Give thanks to the Lord, his mercy endures forever.” longer there, only his body. As this Mercy Sunday comes to a close, the words of the psalm response in today’s Mass are a fitting way to express A prayer service began shortly after midnight. The Scripture the cascade of emotions which have filled the hearts of every- readings were taken from the Feast of Divine Mercy, which one in the Eternal City on this day unlike any my generation is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter and was made a has ever known ... a day on which there was no pope. We are feast day by John Paul II, taking his inspiration from Saint filled with sadness, and yet at the same time how can we fail Faustina Kowalska, a nun who lived in Krakow and died in to thank God for the abundant gifts of his mercy given to the 1937. The double coincidence that the Pope has died on a Church and to the whole world in the person and pontificate First Saturday and on the vigil of the Feast of Divine Mercy of John Paul the Great? This day has been another panoply of which he instituted is truly remarkable. I take it as a sign that images, indelible moments, and personal encounters leaving the Lord has chosen the exact moment when he wanted to their mark on the soul. Here is how Rome spent the Feast of take John Paul II to himself. Divine Mercy, 2005.

7 The Priest Mass at the Divine Mercy shrine And at St Peter’s Square Today’s feast of Divine Mercy was instituted for the universal I walked the short distance to Saint Peter’s Square where Church by John Paul during the Great Jubilee of the Year the first memorial Mass for the Pope was just reaching 2000, to be held each year on the Sunday after Easter, in Holy Communion (it was about 11.30am). This scene was accord with the locutions of Jesus given to Saint Faustina by far the most powerful one yet. I will try to explain. Kowalska. It was ten years ago today, on Divine Mercy Sunday 1995, that John Paul dedicated the Divine Mercy The square was once again jammed with tens of thousands shrine for the city of Rome. He chose to place it in the 17th- of people, extending far beyond the piazza and down to the century Church of the Holy Spirit, just one block from the river. The celebrant of the Mass was Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Vatican on the Borgo Santo Spirito near the Tiber River, a who was Secretary of State under John Paul II (all cardinals prominent spot in view of the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica. lose their particular offices as secretaries or prefects upon To mark this anniversary, a Mass had been scheduled weeks the death of the pope, as their only duty is now to run the ago to be celebrated by a Polish bishop. I concelebrated that church until the election of the new pope). Two particular Mass at 9.30 this morning, which was attended by dozens of details of the scene immediately struck me and shook me. priests and over 2000 people who packed themselves into the relatively small church and overflowed into the piazza First, the red canopy which always stands over the altar when outside. The scene reminded me of the story in the Gospel a Mass is celebrated in the square was gone. There was a of St Mark when there were so many people in the house simple altar and crucifix sitting in the middle of the stone that the paralytic had to be lowered down through the roof. pavement in front of the basilica at which Cardinal Sodano Picture a church in which every pew is squeezed full, every offered Mass. It looked so bare. aisle is full of people sitting on the floor, every side chapel has people standing all but on top of each other, and all the Second, the fourth window over from the right on the top entrances are blocked. One could have said it was standing floor of the papal apartments was standing open. Normally room only if there had been any standing room. on Sunday mornings the second window from the right is opened and the familiar red drape hangs out of it so that the Holy cards were distributed, which had been printed long pope can speak to the crowds. But that window was closed. in advance, with the date 3 April 2005, and the quotation The fourth window was open, with nothing hanging under it, “Be apostles of Divine Mercy!” from John Paul II’s visit and inside all one could see from the square was blackness. to consecrate this church on Divine Mercy Sunday 1995. This window marked the Sala Clementina, where the Pope’s The Polish bishop (whose name escapes me and at any rate body was lying in state, waiting to be viewed by the cardinals is very difficult to spell!) preached in Italian about the way after the Mass. The stark and hollow emptiness of that black in which Pope John Paul lived his mission of announcing window is an image I shall never forget. It was something Divine Mercy to the world. At one point he thundered from like seeing the empty tabernacle standing open on Good the pulpit, “Pope John Paul will be remembered in history as Friday. The altar has been stripped and the Vicar of Christ the Pope of Divine Mercy!” and the entire church thundered has been taken away. back in applause. At communion time I literally climbed over people and made my way down what appeared to be an I made my way slowly through the crowd as hymns were aisle to give communion. The people could not move due to sung and communion was being distributed in the front of the crowd and so I made my way around, constantly being the piazza, probably only to a few thousand people, a mere tapped, pulled, and begged to bring communion here or there. fraction of the number of people in the square. The obelisk It was such a consolation to be able to bring the Eucharist of Nero towered above the crowd. This obelisk was one of to the people on this feast. I was thinking as I did so, “Even the last things seen by St Peter before his crucifixion in the though the Pope is dead, we still have Christ with us! The Circus of Nero, on the site of the present St Peter’s Square Church goes on! The sacraments do not cease!” Certainly we and Basilica, in 64AD. That obelisk witnessed the death of give thanks to the Lord for the merciful gift of his Church, the first pope, and now, 1,941 years later, it is witnessing the which may be lacking a visible head but remains eternally death of the 265th pope. Such is the depth of the Catholic united to her invisible Head who is Jesus Christ. Church.

After Mass I remained at the shrine altar of the Divine Mercy A moment of conversion for countless souls image showing the two rays of blood and water streaming I felt a desire to get up above the crowd, and so I hopped up from Christ’s wounded side distributing communion to those onto a light post to the left of the obelisk. I perched on the who had been unable to receive during the Mass. People ledge supporting the light for about ten minutes. It all started continued to come up to receive Holy Communion for a hitting me as I gazed around at the crowd, the bare altar, good 15-20 minutes after Mass had ended. the black window, the dome of the basilica, the cardinals, the empty white chair by the altar, the mass of cameras In the sacristy after Mass I asked the Polish nuns if there and microphones lining the edge of the square. I started was any English Mass scheduled in the church during the whispering, “Lord, have mercy on us”, praying for all this day, and when they told me “No” I offered to say one. They mass of humanity gathered here and fixing their eyes on this agreed to have an English Mass at 5pm. St Faustina must place from all over the world. It was a moment in which it have been working overtime on that one, because at first they became clear to me that we are witnessing salvation history. had told me there was no possibility but then said they could This is a milestone, and the world passes it never to return. fit me in between a Polish Mass at 4 and an Italian Mass at The world will never be the same again. It is undoubtedly 6. More on that Mass later. a moment of conversion for countless souls, a moment of

November 2005 8 opening to grace which will never be repeated. These were my head in disbelief as I looked on the body of John Paul II. I the sentiments behind my prayer as I stood perched above saw a close up later and saw that the right side of the face was the throng in St Peter’s Square. quite bruised and swollen. He must have suffered much in his I was called out of my meditation by two Italian security final days and hours. guards who tugged at my leg and insisted I come down. I Interlude looked down at them and said in the most distraught voice, “Ma non capite? Il Papa e morto!” (But don’t you understand? Lunch at our house consisted of exchanging stories of the last The Pope is dead!). They looked at me and were a little taken 24 hours ... Where were you when you heard the news? Did aback. I apologised and came down and walked away. I felt you see this? Did you hear that? When will the funeral be? like I was six years old and my world had been taken away When will the conclave open? And of course, being a house from me, and nobody could possibly understand. of priests, everyone has their strong opinion and prediction about who the next pope will be! Words seemingly from heaven After lunch, I had thought I was going to get a nap, but I I walked closer to the front of the piazza and then stopped ended up reading Italian newspaper coverage and then going to hear the reading of the Regina Caeli address (this prayer online for a bit to read up on the latest and read what everyone is said at noontime during the Easter season in place of the is saying (even in Rome we are getting the latest from the Angelus. The Pope always gave this address and prayer from Internet ... this is the reality of the world we live in). There his window at noon on Sundays). The archbishop who read it is too much going on around here to think of sleep. My eyes announced that what he was about to read was being read at do not like me very much right now. the explicit instructions of Pope John Paul. He began, “Today we celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy ...” ... I realised Back at the Divine Mercy shrine in that moment that the Pope had known exactly when he 5pm. I celebrated Mass in English back at the shrine of was going to be taken from us and had prepared everything the Divine Mercy. The church was mobbed (slightly down just for this moment. The words seemed to come from the from the unbelievable crowd of the morning – that is, this heavens. I really lost it then – the Pope knew, he foresaw time there was some standing room) and I preached on the this moment and left words to comfort us, his lost, orphaned connection between Saint Faustina and John Paul the Great. children, he was still speaking to us from beyond the veil. Two points which I gave to the young people gathered there I don’t remember much of the rest of the message. I and to all who came. think you could have collected a few glasses of my tears. Gift of Our Lady of Fatima We prayed the Regina Caeli, and Cardinal Sodano gave the First, this day of mourning for the Pope should have happened blessing. I looked up at the windows and remembered look- on 14 May 1981, the day after the assassination attempt in ing up at those same windows exactly a week ago during the which John Paul should have died. The fact that he did not and Regina Caeli on Easter, seeing the Pope standing and strug- that he reigned for nearly 24 more years is a miracle of grace gling and blessing us in silence. But he did not come to the given to the world by the direct intervention of Our Lady of window today. I kept waiting for him to appear. Maybe the Fatima, on whose feast day the Pope was shot. Had he died last few days all really were a strange dream. But no ... he in 1981, none of the young people at the Mass, many of them will never stand at his window again, nor will we ever hear under 20 years old, would have ever known him. This means his voice resound through the square giving the blessing in that every day of his pontificate since 13 May 1981, has been Latin, “Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus...”. a gift to the world of the Blessed Mother. “Give thanks to the The finality of the hour Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever!” I went towards the back of the square, sat on the ground near Recalling 7th day of Divine Mercy novena some students, and prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. The black, open window kept drawing my eyes. It captured the Second, in the novena of preparation for the Feast of Divine finality and emptiness of this day. Mercy (said during the nine days between Good Friday and Divine Mercy Sunday), on the seventh day Jesus asks, “Today I started back to my residence for lunch with my brother priests, bring me those souls who especially venerate my Mercy.” many of whom had concelebrated the Mass in the square (I It struck me that this seventh day was Thursday 31 March, had given my allegiance to St Faustina and gone to her church the day on which the Pope entered his death struggle ... the for the earlier Mass). As I made my way down the Via della Lord called John Paul to himself, bringing close to him his Conciliazione towards the Tiber, I saw hundreds of people servant who more than any other has venerated and glorified gathered in front of two Jumbotron screens on either side of his Divine Mercy. Christ’s promise in the Diary of Divine the street, all jostling for a view and craning their necks. When Mercy is that he will protect these souls in a special way in I got to a point where I could see what they were all looking the hour of their death ... was this not seen in the thousands at, I saw the cardinal camerlengo (chamberlain) in the Vatican of souls who came to pray in St Peter’s Square during the Apartments sprinkling holy water on the body of the Pope, hours of the Pope’s suffering and death, who accompanied which was laid out in red Mass vestments which are always him on the Way of the Cross by their prayers and love? Jesus placed on the remains of a deceased pontiff. The picture was promises Faustina that he will make these souls who venerate just fuzzy enough that I thought it was an old news clip of his mercy to shine even more brightly after their death than Paul VI or John Paul I being laid in state. I asked a man next they do in this life ... I think we are only beginning to glimpse to me, “Is that from an old news story?” His answer, “This is the greatness of the splendour of this new saint. The Church live from the Vatican Apartments”. Again was a moment which Continued on page 35 made things hit home. I took a deep breath and again shook

9 The Priest The Role of the Priest in the Church of Today

Bishop William J Brennan*

At an early episcopal age, Bishop Brennan suffered a Church’s mission. Keeping in mind this kind of perspective, it debilitating stroke, the effects of which he still lives with is relatively easy at the level of a Synod of Bishops, but more heroically under the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor in of a challenge at the level of a diocese or a parish. It is clearly Randwick, Sydney. The Episcopal Conference of Australia the role of the priest to try to remind those of the flock who prematurely lost a brilliant mind and a sharp advocate of are interested mainly in the supernatural elements of Catholic reform and fidelity. He left a wonderful legacy in his diocese life that our faith carries with it temporal implications, and, – not least, Vianney College, the diocesan seminary that following our Master, we should all make a preferential, with foresight, imagination, and fortitude he founded and although not an exclusive option, for the poor (cf, Relatio nurtured. This is his greatest testimony – a testimony that Finalis para II,D,6). since its foundation in 1992 has produced 25 young priests and deacons working in 6 dioceses in Australia and New Attempting to keep a balance between the spiritual and Zealand as well as Wagga Wagga, and that continues to temporal. At the same time, one encounters others who are form priests with a rounded and secure fidelity to the Church engrossed by issues of social justice and who need reminding who are marked by the joy that so characterised the active that human development is radically incomplete if its spiritual life and ministry of Bishop Brennan. It is fitting, in this 20th dimension is neglected, that salvation comes from Jesus Christ year of the foundation of the Australian Confraternity of and that faith comes from hearing the preached Word. In trying Catholic Clergy, that tribute be made of one of our earliest to keep this balanced perspective between the sacred and the members and advocates, the Most Reverend William John secular, the supernatural and the natural, the spiritual and the Brennan. This is done by the publication of his “Keynote temporal, the priest needs above all, I believe, to cultivate Inaugural Address” to the first ACCC Annual Conference, such a balance in his own life and ministry and to do his best published in Vol 1(4) of The Priest. Characteristically, in to lead others to a sense of mystery, especially the mystery an age where grace and courtesy are often sparse, his first of the Church. word was to address the gathered Fathers as “Gentlemen”. It is a pleasure so to pay tribute to a fine gentleman, scholar, The dignity of the baptised. The emphasis of Vatican II on bishop, and advocate for, defender of, and promoter of the equality of dignity of all the baptised has been interpreted priestly life in Australia. (Ed.) by some as justifying a lessening of respect for priests, when it was clearly intended to operate the other way, and increase Introduction the respect shown to all Christians – along the lines of Pope Leo’s famous dictum: Agnosce Christiane dignitem tuam What I have to say on the “Role of the Priest in the Church [Christian, know your dignity]. This sense of mystery which of Today” is more or less random, and based on my own leads us to wonder at the dignity of the redeemed, re-made in observations and experiences as a priest and my [then] brief the image of Christ, finds its highest expression in the central time as a bishop. The context of these reflections is the expression of the Church’s life – the celebration of the Liturgy, document produced by the Extraordinary Synod of November especially the holy Mass. 1985. This Relatio Finalis seems to have sunk nearly without trace, yet I believe it contains some insights that are very New hunger for the transcendent. The fathers of the apposite to our topic. I offer comments in three areas: the priest Extraordinary Synod drew attention to the new hunger and and the sense of the sacred; the priest and Church unity; and thirst for transcendent realities of which the rapid growth of the priest and pastoral care. sects all over the world is one sign. The challenge for priests is to be able to celebrate and help others to celebrate the liturgy The priest and the sense of the sacred in a way that will enable all to find their spiritual hunger and thirst met, and by being met to be yet further increased. I know Religion is obviously about mystery. The Fathers of the how difficult this is with the decreasing numbers of priests and Extraordinary Synod drew attention to the growth of the demands for Masses that grew up when every other form secularism which they say consists of a vision of man and the of devotional celebration nearly vanished. We are all likely to world which prescinds from, neglects, or denies the dimension suffer from a kind of ritual ennui and the repeated experience of mystery. This is totally different from the vision of Gaudium of binating and trinating on weekdays as well as Sundays can et Spes [the Vatican II document, “The Pastoral Constitution exhaust our reserves of devotion. Perhaps we should look at of the Church in the Modern World”] which recognises the our Mass load to see if we really need to celebrate so often. legitimate autonomy of the temporal world, but locates it Whatever about that, we should do our best to see that our firmly within the ambit of the mission of the Church. liturgical celebrations are always imbued with a spirit of reverence and adoration: a very old counsel, certainly, but The mission of the Church is predominately spiritual, but one needed today more than ever. has implications for human development in all its aspects, including those that are purely temporal. The Relatio Finalis Reverence for Christ in the Eucharist extending to all the is concerned that there be only a distinction – not a separation faithful. At the risk of repeating myself, I believe that the – between the natural and the supernatural aspects of the reverence for Christ that we show at Mass should extend to November 2005 10 the whole Christ and include His Mystical Body, actualised conflicts of opinions, unity in the faith must be stressed above in the worshippers who together with us offer the Mass. all by the priest. It seems to me that St Augustine’s maxim They make Christ present to us, as to each other, in a unique is very practical advice for the current troubled times: in and irreplaceable manner and He is to be revered in them necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas [in as He should be everywhere else we encounter Him: in His necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, in His Word, and in things, charity]. His poor. We priests must rediscover our sense of mystery of the Church and express this sense of mystery in our dealings Practical tolerance. Because in our parishes and dioceses we with those to whom we minister, in order to be the forma facti are sure to meet people with a wide variety of points of view gregis ex animo [in order that our souls may form the flock on theology in general and ecclesiology in particular, it is (of the Church)]. essential that we have the wit to distinguish what is necessary from what is optional – and the tolerance to permit people to The Priest and the unity of the Church differ from us in non-essentials. We should no doubt always have been like that and many of the doubts and confusions The unity of the Church is part of the faith we profess: “We that people suffered after the Council, and some still suffer, believe in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church”: “one” derived from a mistaken impression that some non-essential in the unique profession of the apostolic faith and being united was in fact essential. as one in that one faith. The need to work for Church unity is not only in the sense of ecumenical activity among churches, Presbyteral unity. The unity of Catholic communion has a but in the sense of unity within the Catholic Church. This is a special meaning when one speaks of the presbyterate gathered new challenge for most of us. A brief study of Church history, around the bishop. Here we are dealing not only with a even in apostolic times, should be enough to show us that sharing of the life of Christ among Christians – although that in this regard the need to work for unity has been present. is the primary focus of unity among them – but also with the Even in its brief history, the Catholic Church in Australia additional bond deriving from the Sacrament of Holy Orders. has had its storms. What perhaps is new in our situation is This Sacrament unites those who receive it and carries with it that the strain on Church unity is felt in many parishes and a special responsibility for Church unity. Just as the [bishop’s at different levels. unity with the] Bishop of Rome is a sign of unity in the local Church, so also the priest should be a sign of unity at the parish Rejecting plurality, but allowing pluriformity. The level. This should be found both in his unity with his bishop Extraordinary Synod addressed this issue also and made a which unites his parish with others in the diocese, and also number of points, a couple of which I would like to dwell on. found by his unity with those to whom he ministers and in the The one is the distinction – new to me I have to say – between exercise of pastoral charity to those in whom he finds one of the plurality and pluriformity. One doesn’t have to travel very far main sources of nourishment for his spiritual life. This leads to realise that we have variety and pluriformity in the Church. to my third point of focus: the priest and pastoral care. Even within a small country diocese one can encounter a great deal of it, although the Synod uses the expression more The priest and pastoral care to indicate the diversity between dioceses than within them. The rich Catholic pluriformity is sharply distinguished from It is sometimes asserted that one of the reasons why vocations the “pluralism of fundamentally opposed positions [that] leads to the priesthood have declined is that there are fewer people to dissolution, destruction and the loss of identity” (Relatio attending Sunday Mass. I would want to suggest that it may be Finalis II,C,4). In the thinking of the Synod, the difference the other way around, or at least there is a kind of symbiotic between pluriformity and pluralism is that the former has its relationship between the two sets of statistics. Be that as foundation in an ecclesiology of communion. it may, there is no doubt that the people’s expectations of priests have changed and, if our ministry is to be effective, Communio. The cultivation of communion has to be one of we have to take account of these expectations. In earlier times the essential marks, I believe, of priestly spirituality today. It is Catholics approached a priest simply because he was a clerk based on the profound unity in pluriformity found in the life of in Holy Orders and they knew he was able to provide for their the Trinity which we have been invited to share in Christ. This sacramental and related needs. Now they seem to want to be sharing of the life of the Trinity in Christ through the Spirit identified by their priest, known by him and knowing him. It binds us in a totally new way to the other members of Christ’s all has something to do with the identity as Catholics. Body, who share this same life. This common sharing is the basis of the mutual respect Christians show to each other, and Changing Catholic identity. When the sense of Irishness was finds its highest expression in the sharing of the Eucharistic as strong among the Irish immigrants and their children as the Body of Christ which nourishes the divine life in us and so sense of, say, Italianness is among the post-war migrants and builds the communion of all the faithful. their children, there was no problem with religious identity – it was part of the cultural and racial identity. Similarly, when In omnibus caritas. At a practical level, it seems to me that Catholics faced a hostile and bigoted world that discriminated we can’t afford to indulge in luxuries such as proclaiming against them, they were welded into a unity. This unity was from pulpits our personal theological opinions. We may reinforced by external indicators, such as St Patrick’s Day espouse them and expound them, but we have always to marches, Corpus Christi processions, Friday abstinence, remember that they are merely opinions. What is essential is medals, scapulars, rosary beads, and so forth. Now the wider that the Faith “which has been once and for all entrusted to Australian society is largely unbiased in regard to religion, the the saints” should be expounded (Jude 3). At times of serious external pressure has relaxed at the same time as the internal

11 The Priest Vianney College, Wagga Wagga, founded in 1992 by Bishop Brennan continues to attract students for the sacred ministry: even though Vianney College numbers have not maintained their peak, nevertheless, in terms of seminarians as a proportion of Catholic population, the Diocese of Wagga Wagga in 2005 still ranks first in Australia. (Ed.)

A recent photograph showing recitation of the Divine Office in Chapel, Vianney College, Wagga Wagga tribal cohesive sense has evaporated. The mobility of people Catechising and meeting the spiritual needs of youth. The has increased so that the old sense of community has grown Extraordinary Synod quoted the Vatican II Council document less. More and more people are like the children of bankers on education describing the young as the hope of the Church. and policemen, having no town or suburb from which they On all sides one hears that the present generation of young can say that they come. people are more open to religion and spiritual realities than the previous generation whose resistance it seems at times Changing relational attitudes toward the priests. In these prompted religious educators to sacrifice substance for circumstances, people look to the priest to build the religious style in the presentation of Christian doctrine. Certainly, the community. It always was the case, I believe, that Mass regrettably large numbers of Catholic young people joining attendance was better in the parishes where the priest knew non-Catholic charismatic and fundamentalist groups is an his flock and could call them by name. Now I believe it is indication of both their yearning for the things of the spirit even more so. Many people will come to Mass because they and the failure of the Church to satisfy that yearning. believe they have an obligation to worship God and they don’t care much as to who is the priest. Others will not come unless Summing-up they perceive that they are part of a community whose leader recognises them and is seen as a man who likes them and wants I thus conclude where I began. As the Relatio Finalis put to do what he can for them. The community they wish to belong it: “Does not the spread of sects lead us to ask whether we to is one in which they can have an active role. The Relatio have sometimes failed sufficiently to manifest the sense of Finalis speaks of the “new style of collaboration between the sacred” (ibid. II,A,2). The priest is the leader of worship, laity and clerics [that] has happily developed from Vatican the proclaimer of the Word. He is usually the only person in II. The spirit of willingness with which so many lay persons the parish who has had a professional training in theology, put themselves at the service of the Church is to be numbered including Ascetical Theology and Mystical Theology. The among the best fruits of the Council. In this is experienced the youth of today are saying to their priests, “Father, tell us about fact that we are the Church” (Relatio Finalis II,C,6). God” What are we able to tell them?

Promoting the sacrifices of Catholic family life. The second * Most Rev William J Brennan was Bishop of Wagga Wagga element in our pastoral concern should obviously be a focus on 1984-2002. families. Recent research has confirmed the primacy of family influence on the religious development of children. At the same The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI: time, those trying to live normal Catholic family lives are more from the “Opening Reflection”, 3 October 2005, to the and more being made to feel abnormal in our society. This is Synod of Bishops, Rome. (Translated from Italian.) the new bigotry we have to fight. The sacrifices involved in These words [“perfecti estote”] invite us to be what we are: images family living are often too daunting for those reared in relative of God, beings created in relation to the Lord, “mirrors” where comfort, and they need all the support the Church can give. It the Lord’s light is reflected. should be one of our primacy concerns to listen to families, to discover their needs and to do what we can to find ways of How can we essentially have a common way of thinking that helps us to guide the Holy Church together unless we share together meeting those needs. The Catholic Social Welfare Commission in the faith, which has not been invented by any one of us but is has done great work in this area at the economic and political the faith of the Church, the common foundation which supports levels, but I think we have yet to get our act together at the us, and on which we stand and work? level of the Parish.

November 2005 12 On Clerical Celibacy and boys and men serving the sanctuary of God

The clerical members of the Australian Confraternity of young men serving the sanctuary of God as a strong support Catholic Clergy are united in their commitment to the Latin for and source of vocations to the sacred ministry. and apostolic norm of clerical celibacy. There will be no To date the Editor has been coy about publishing photo- surprise among our members at the indications that the 2005 graphs of himself. On this page, some photographs taken Synod of Bishops – in progress as this issue of The Priest in Father Editor’s parish church illustrate the point that is prepared for press – again re-asserts this discipline; and there is no shortage of boys and young men to serve the re-asserts this norm as a discipline that supports – rather than sanctuary where it is “groups of boys and young men”, and inhibits – the recovery of vocations, including vocations in where this integrates with liturgical celebrations that clearly affluent nations. The same can be said – and should be said forthtell the character of the sacred action instituted by Our – of the obligation of priests to support groups of boys and Lord. (Editor)

13 The Priest 14 From the Windows of the Roman Curia

Monsignor J Anthony McDaid *

What follows is a transcript from authorial notes for the ACCC 2005 Annual conference Public Lecture that occurred by courtesy in the main lecture theatre of Notre Dame Australia University, Freemantle, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. It does not quite capture the feeling gener- ated by spontaneous amplifications, and the text takes a long time getting to the “Roman window”, but it shows the retrieval and revivification of Catholic life by one priest who serves the universal Church and the universal Pontiff in curial offices of the “eternal city”. (Ed.) Monsignor McDaid of the Introduction Congregation for Clergy, main 2005 Conference speaker This my first visit to Australia has been immensely enjoyable, parish. Until then, we had heard little of the events in Rome especially the company of the priests of the Australian Confra- – until one bright Sunday, the local Parish Priest (best known ternity of Catholic Clergy attending this Annual Conference. It for his penchant for Greek poetry, which would be flung at us is always with a sense of pride in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ altar boys at any time), but a holy wee man whose sermons were that one rejoices in the fraternity of faithful priests of the Church. soporific ... one bright Sunday morn, Father McGuire before Rome may seem far from Perth, but sharing the same faith and holy Mass explained to the congregation in detail (or as much sacramental bonds with the gathered ACCC priests makes geo- detail as he deemed necessary), that at this meeting for bishops graphic distance shrink, and widens the universal perspective in Rome, they had decided to change the Mass. From now on of the one Church. But now I know that you want to hear me the priest would face the people, the Mass would be in English, speak from my “eagles eerie” of a window in the Roman Curia. there were places for the congregation to respond to the priest Any observations that I make of are course are just that – my (this was what was now called “participation”, Father said): own observations. These are not simply formed by my Roman there would be no last gospel or prayers after the Mass for the experience; my faith was formed in my family and in the Church conversion of Russia: benediction would no longer happen after in Ireland up to the end of my secondary education. The then the last Mass on the 1st Sunday of the month, and, last but not Canon Sheehan’s apologetics was the root of my intellectual least, the crowd that usually began departing the church at the faith, and the family’s solid faith and practice was the womb. last gospel, were not to skip out after Holy Communion. ... And In this respect, I am a child of the Church prior to Vatican II as thus was Vatican II explained to the congregation in an Irish regards faith formation. This suffered some shaking when finally country parish church on a fateful Sunday morn before the first I followed God’s call to the priesthood. The local bishop decided Mass. ... As far as theological explanations go – to this present when I withdrew from undergraduate medical studies to send me day, this is the only explanation of Vatican II that has occurred to the Irish College in Rome for my seminary years. in the said Parish.

Implementing Vatican II Ideological hijacking

As a teenager, the thought of Rome excited me on many levels. Of course, after Father McGuire died diocesan liturgists got into Being the product of a classical education, and steeped in Roman action to remodel our church in the light of someone’s view of and Greek language and history studies from the age of 11, I how things should be, citing of course Vatican II as the author- thrilled to the thought of trudging down the Via Appia Antica past ity for ripping out our lovely high altar, closing down the side the tombs of martyrs, where Roman legions had trod, with the chapels, throwing out statues, etc. – all things that had nothing in mists of history swirling around them ... and me ... my imagina- fact to do with the reforms of Vatican II. That of course is another tion was in full gear ... – and I loved it! story, and what I am describing as having happened was not the result of Vatican II, but of ideologists hijacking the moment of I had been aware that there had been “a meeting” in Rome, reform and transforming it into a vehicle to impose their personal which had just concluded. But it had not yet impinged upon views on the Church unhinged from the living Tradition of the my life. The bishops all had to go to it – in fact, at the opening Church. ... But back to the story. of the Council, my then Ordindary, the Most Reverend Doctor McNeely, was the longest reigning bishop in all Christendom. Rome of the 1960s He was an impressive figure, a towering mountain of a man, who with the accretion of episcopal dignity had readily assumed the Rome of October 1966 saw the influx of the 1st class of seminar- princely airs that we, the sons of Irish peasants, can take to so ians after the conclusion of the Council. We were a motley crew, readily. He died during the Council, and a new day was thrust very typical of the youth of our time. The heady 1960s were upon us, both locally and in the universal Church. upon us, and we were “it”. I suddenly found out that, from an ecclesiastical perspective, there was a little more to this Vatican Once the decree on the Sacred Liturgy and its implementing II thing than had been explained to me in my local church. We documents were put into effect, Vatican II came to my home were all caught up with the fervour of the moment.

13 November 2005 14 Rome was humming. The trusty theological manuals that principle involved could not be tampered with without the had been the backbone of the intellectual formation of whole fabric of family and sexual relations in society col- seminarians were no longer the norm. The “class notes” of lapsing ... as has happened. Thus, it remains a perennial text, individual professors took over as the new manuals. Often- the re-reading of which I urge. times, these were nothing more than an initial unleashing, in a new environment, of many “pet” but “pent up” theories The new “pastoral” bishops of individual professors, which now could be aired. In the absence of studied theological treatises which unpacked the But, again, back to the times that we were in: The Pope’s encycli- theological riches of the conciliar documents, there was no cal was passed on to the Bishops, and thus to the faithful, by that one really to call the rampant speculation to heel. precise age-old dynamic. But this period of history also saw the rise in prominance of the “expert” within the Church and of an This era saw the crashing of many eminent Rectors of the- institution called the “Conference of Bishops”, usually with a ology in universities, as they tried to bring order into what team of experts in tow. Many of the new post-conciliar bishops was now a theological bedlam. As for Canon Law, one of were unaccustomed to the earlier mode of transmission of papal the reasons Pope John XXIII (himself a canonist) called the documents that their predecessors, as canonists, would have taken Council, in the first place, was to reform the Code. Thus, for for granted. After the issuance of a papal document of moment, many, even though legally the 1917 Code remained in effect, the bishops of a nation, or the primate, would turn up with an it was constantly being modified by new decrees to meet the “implementing” document, in order to “inculturate” the papal new situation, and there seemed to be no Code of Canon Law. document into the local church. It was a question of application That which had reigned supreme, was finally unseated. In of the document, not modification in any way. But the “experts” fact, the new Code was not in effect until 1983 – many years had a different view of things .... after the Council. “Pastoral” bishops began to be chosen. A Roman education, and a Doctorate in Canon Law (previ- And so right after the publication of Humanae vitae, we sud- ously an almost essential qualification) became a negative denly heard from key bishops in mostly western countries that – a mentality that is still around to the present day. the Pope’s writing had to be applied with “pastoral sensitivity” (what in many cases means, “ignored”). (I recall the words of But back to Rome of the 60s and 70s ... Too much was hap- a recently ordained priest that his translation of the seminary pening in too many areas too soon for even the Holy Father jargon “pastoral” is, “If push comes to shove, give in”!) Second- to be able to be seen to be in control of things. It was as if ary documents explaining how the Roman Pontiff’s words were a dam had burst to the accompanying music of a post-war to be interpreted, took over as primary documents for a given secular world hellbent on a “good time”, freedom, free love, geographic region. The initial clear injunction from Rome thus new world ... There was a throwing-off of the shackles of became diluted, modified, in fact made to play second fiddle to yesteryear. Eminent expert psychiatrists were urging the local circumstances. This was a new development, but a situa- dereguation of various sexual crimes (including those against tion that still continues today. But in 1968 and after, this type of youths) and legislators were getting on the bandwagon. It was response to authoritative documents has seemed to divide the a flavour of the moment. Naturally, in this new world order, bishops, and to confuse both priests and people. and even in John Lennon’s rendering of it in song, there was a dream of “no religion”. It was not a world that welcomed The new “experts” religion, which was regarded as an outdated morality which had outlived its usefulness, and certainly was not relevant to The expectations raised by the experts, the seminary professor the times, where one should “get with it” or perish. formators, both secular priests and religious priests, led to the inevitable crises, which soon after the Council lead to priests and religious sisters abandoning their vocations, and led to a trans- Humanae vitae mission of faith – a catechesis – that has muddled the passing on This heady onrush, in which many forceful elements of the of Catholic Tradition to such an extent as to lead to a practical Church were involved, was thus completely winded by the ignorance regarding the Faith among the faithful. Concurrent encyclical, Humanae vitae. How could the Pope do this?! with this, usually with the active assistance of the Catholic Edu- On what planet was he living?! Our professors at university, cation establishment, the faithful have been well educated in the some of whom had been on the Commission advising the secular sciences and have achieved positions in society that are Pope (advice, as we now know, that urged the liberalisation of admirable. But while allowing the achievement of successes in contraception), had been forming us along these lines ... and the world, this educational system has often lost its raison d’etre, of course, toward a change in the law of celibacy – not clearly “that all may attain their eternal destiny”(CIC795#1). Sometimes saying, but clearly implying that we could look forward to the excellence of the secondary factor is seen as detrimental to being married. Many of our professors, especially those who the primary goal of Catholic education, and the emergence of a had the regard of and the ear of the media, couldn’t believe practical agnosticism in many Catholic educators of today. what had happened with the publication of Humanae vitae. The pedagogy espoused in the 60s must be faced and clearly Then the posturing began. This was an era when the mind analysed. The inadequacies must be highlighted, because “some- of the times focused on the contraceptive “pill” – can we thing has to give”. There is no good reason why we should find take it or not? The title of the encyclical, Humanae vitae, on ourselves where we are with regard to education and to forma- human life ... was missed. In fact, that document – which tion in religion in the contemporary setting. Dollars are not the remains so pertinent to the society in which we still live answer. Proper, complete, and integral transmission of the Faith – had a title that was prophetic. The Pope foresaw that the is required – along with the example of teachers who are not only

15 The Priest imparting religious knowledge, but are themselves examples of revealed as the essence of my state of life ... of course not in lived faith. The person who is most responsible for attracting me theological terms, but it was the same old message. toward religion as a body of knowledge was my infants teacher – one Mrs O’Kelly, may she rest in peace. She taught, but she Thus from years of uncertainty about the relevance of the age also lived, and we children could see it and know it, and some old teaching of the Faith in all of its aspects to a contemporary us have carried that with us all our lives – even through all the society, I moved to firmly knowing in my own heart and soul circumstances that I have just portrayed. The non-acceptance of that people want and need to hear the faith in its fulness so that Roman and Catholic teaching has its roots in recent history in they may live in tranquility, come to know their God through the events surrounding and following the encyclical Humanae his Church, and arrive at their eternal destiny. Furthermore, they vitae in 1968. The ripple effect still goes on. depend upon priests and bishops to give them the fulness of truth so that they can have access to the Way, the Truth, and the Life as revealed for them by their loving God. This is their right. And The 1970s this is the mission of the Church, and the life of her priests. So after 1970, I left the seminary for 3 years. Once I decided to return, in 1973, it was to the Archdiocese of Denver in Colorado, Thence to Rome USA, for which Archdiocese I was ordained on 6 December 1975 The hand of providence had many specific events and people – nearly 30 years ago. For all I had experienced in Rome previ- in the formation of my certainty, too many to recount here. But ously I was ill prepared for seminary and subsequent life in the what I have briefly adumbrated was the baggage that I brought Church in Colorado of the 1970s. That which I had experienced to my curial office in Rome, to my “window on the world from in an uncritical embryonic form in Rome had already fully Rome”, and what do I see? The thing about Rome is being there as flowered into maturity in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. a Catholic often having lived most of my life in a secular society The seminary was a mess and continued to be so until it was that was politely, but definitely, anti-Catholic; and after having finally closed in the 1990s. Pastoral life had a rhythm all of its lived in a church that was afflicted with the woes of the times. own, anything coming from Rome was best ignored or placed Coming to Rome from all that gave a feeling of great relief: you where it could not be seen. (And that situation still obtains in are surrounded by Catholicism in the air, in the buildings. When many dioceses!) I arrived in 1995, I at last felt free to be unabashedly Catholic for the first time in years, no more embattled as a Catholic, but And then there was a new breed of cat on the scene, the DRE, freely Catholic – and it was great! Director of Religious Education – usually an ex-religious-sister of the feminazi type, of whom even the infallible pastor was The other thing about Rome is you are immediately brought face afraid. Thus, God help any parent who might evince a position to face with the universality of the Church – cardinals, bishops, contrary to Sister by challenging the DRE’s documents con- priests, sisters, religious, tourists of all shades and colours; cerning the catechetical faith formation of his (her) child – a Catholics nearly all. In one’s own little diocesan enclosure, value often repeated by the Church, and even constitutionally one can forget the grandeur, the embrace, and the family of the guaranteed in the civil world. Universal Church. We are here. We are forced to reckon with it. In our own local settings, we may be a minority. Rome presents Spirituality and asceticism as a means of following Christ were another world. theories that did not get much airing. There was always the new book or article by an expert that ridiculed any “fuga mundi” Another world, Rome [running away from the world] mentality and espoused some And then there’s World Youth Day! a new face of the Catholic latest version of “incarnational theology”. The priest was in the Church, a youthful face, a face that the media would have you midst of all this, wafted along by much of it, while deep down believe does not exist ... they want us to believe that there are knowing that there were serious conflicts with the faith that had no young Catholics, only old priests, and that the Church is in been passed on to him. Yet the Church environment, including terminal decline. What a shock was the funeral of Pope John Paul its leaders, seemed to be singing the new tune ... and who was I II! The world press was assembled to record what for them would to challenge this? ... Sometimes I did challenge, and I was told be a historical event, but only as an ending of a once powerful it was because I was Irish, worse still that I was Roman trained phenomenon that now had died. Then when they saw the crowds (or de-formed), and, horror of horrors, I had a Roman licentiate assembling, little did they realise that what they would be record- to boot! and worked in the diocesan tribunal. ing was an event in their own personal histories, an event that would call back many to the fold of faith. From out of my curial Coming face to face with the break-down window in those days, I saw an unending river of people – once But in the tribunal I was brought face to face with what hap- again of all ages, colours, and people, but especially of youth pens when the lives of people are lived out in the theories of the – coming to the Vicar of Christ, the Successor of St Peter ... day 1960s/1970s, with divorce and disaster. I saw that the society and night they came ... how some of the elderly managed it, I views on marriage and on the construction of society were don’t know. For a week, I couldn’t move my car from the garage fundamentally flawed. I began asking people what they were underneath the building of the Congregation for Clergy. looking for, and heard in effect “good old religion” out of their mouths – didn’t want “free love”, wanted fidelity, permanence And then the funeral! in relationship, and a family. All this caused me to remember my Faithful people put up with great discomfort and personal hard- past and to remember my fundamental theology – from Canon ship, and did so with good humour – it was a great injection of Sheehan, the teaching documents of the Church, from canon law faith and consolation for this priest. They were not there just to – the faithful were basically rejuvenating that which had been see a show. They wanted to say good bye to a man who loved

November 2005 16 them with the love of Christ, who sought them out where Continued from page 42 they were and spoke to them with the truth of Christ in its fulness. He did not delude them with soft sayings as the to such as these, rather than to the sophisticates, and He sirens of this world do, but spoke with an authority from encourages us to imitate the simplicity of the children. beyond, and they knew this and appreciated this. And this sea Time and again the children have told me that you don’t of hope and joy and love flowed on and on. I saw it from a have to see someone to recognise his voice, and, even window. Many of you will have see aerial views of this sea more, they can tell me that Father is not speaking his own of humanity pressing toward the Vicar of Christ. opinion but Jesus’ words at the Consecration of the Mass. In And now Benedict ... an opinionated world they can spot the difference between belief and make-believe. What is more they instinctively Too often we listen to what others say about us ... gloomy know that we will have to wait until we reach our true home, “statistics say” ... expert predictions ... and loads of cod- heaven, before we can meet and see Jesus face to face. swallop! The Lord of history is alive in his Church, and this In all this we priests can begin well by reaching out to the was proclaimed by the successor of St Peter, Pope Benedict youngsters in the Parish Primary School. The great challenge that XVI, in his first homily as Pope. He proclaimed, “The remains is to follow through. As I have already indicated high Church is alive” to a thunderous applause that confounded school years continue to cry out for an appropriate apologetic the soothsayers. That is what I saw most recently from my for the faith to provide the reasons why we believe and why we curial window. The Church has its problems, it always will should continue not only to believe but to practise the faith. have. I see a new vigour in the Church, a new Advent and Springtime ... God has given us this time, we must rise to it, Secondary School Catechesis and use it to his glory. May God be with you all. Amen. I was recently invited for the first time in 25 years to offer Mass The interesting question-and-answer session that followed was for the pupils of my Parish at one of our regional boys’ High mentioned in the last “Inter Nos” in the expectation of presenting Schools and then to meet them over morning tea. I was happy some here. I have not been able to induce the staffer who taped the to receive this invitation, but I asked if I could meet them first proceedings to deliver, and what follows are Editorial remarks and later on offer Mass for them, as I did not want to put the based on recall of the first and most interesting question. eight non-practising out of the twelve youngsters in the position of making a sacrilegious communion. The result was that the The nub of the first question (by a lay woman present) was, invitation was deferred for adjudication by the authorities. So “What is to be done about disobedient bishops?” I (the Editor) far there has been no answer. But I’ll try again for I don’t think immediately recalled my asking a similar question some years anything is achieved by giving the appearance that all is well. back around a clerical dinner table, only to a hear a senior priest [In my experience, the “adjudicators” run Catholic schools like voice, “Well, unfortunately, the Holy Father believes in episcopal private market establishments, allowing only bland brand-label collegiality – as does Cardinal Ratzinger!” It was thus somewhat inputs in their franchise businesses. (Ed.)] amusing to me to hear Mgr McDaid begin his reply on a similar theme (except that Cardinal Ratzinger is now Pope Benedict In the past Archbishop Sheehan’s Apologetics provided XVI), and then to make the observation that the Roman Curia for this difficulty in high school religious education. His and the various departments thereof in significant measure reflect monumental work has recently been brought up to date by the variety of positions and practices that one observes in the Father Peter Joseph, a priest of the Wagga Wagga Diocese Church world-wide; that is, the Roman Curia is not monolithic and currently Chancellor of the Maronite Diocese of Australia, in its standpoint and in its administration. Changes have occurred and this work is “a must” for those who teach teenagers and and are occurring, but it is an incremental process, and a slow instruct young adults. Many teachers in our Catholic schools process – and so the progress of change often is not sudden, and would learn to appreciate the depth and clarity their faith calls for patience. Of course, various informal means of influ- commands from such an apologetic. ence upon bishops are exercised, but where a bishop frustrates But I am now digressing onto one of my hobby horses. So I the directions of a Roman Curial department to which the Holy will close, not with an apology for doing so, but so that my Father has delegated certain aspects of his universal pastorate, own experience and observations in outlining the genesis of then remedy of this can only occur directly from the Supreme the ACCC may indicate the hand of Providence at work for Pontiff himself. And the means that the Pope chooses are those upholding the priesthood of Jesus Christ. that he chooses, and, again, this often calls for patience, because the process of influence usually does not happen as directly as Epilogue those whose perspective is more local would like. Mgr McDaid I have always been happy in the priesthood as a privileged also observed that understanding the Church as communio, and co-worker with the Lord in my small corner of His vineyard. as a “communion of love” necessarily entails that disciplinary My prayer is that you, dear reader, may continue to absorb measures are exercised in ways consistent with this understand- something of the foundational spirit of our Australian ing. It is one of the great tests of fidelity for the local faithful of Confraternity of Catholic Clergy through this publication, the Church, and Roman officials – while taking a “view from The Priest. By God’s grace you may even choose to join our the ‘wider’ windows of Rome” – necessarily recognise that the priestly confraternity as a clergy member or a lay associate. faithful are called to suffer much and to persevere in the face of [Each issue includes a flyer to this end. (Ed.)] adversity. (Editor)

* Rev Mgr James Anthony McDaid, DCL, is a priest of the * Rev John J Walter is Parish Priest of Riverwood in the Archdiocese of Denver, USA, serving in the Congregation for the Archdiocese of Sydney, and is a founding member of the ACCC Clergy, Rome. and founding Editor of The Priest.

17 The Priest The Fraternity of ACCC: A 20-year personal reflection

Father J J Walter *

When I invited the founding Editor to contribute for our 20th executive. I was not alone in being unimpressed when anniversary an article on the history of ACCC, I suppose that undertones of dissatisfaction and an obsessive trade union I expected it would be “individual”, since priest members of mentality had surfaced among some priests – all the more so the ACCC seem to be marked by “individuality” – perhaps a when the most distressed and ominous rumblings emanated sign of the authenticity of the variety of God’s call to unity in from among religious order clergy. the sacred ministry. I expected it also would tend to be long What concerned me – and I was well aware that I was not the (and, as it turns out, I was dealing with a number of long only one – was the highly infectious canker that was eating manuscripts). I am very pleased at the decision to request away at doctrine and which went hand in hand with the this piece, and rejoice in the authenticity of its “personal” shedding of priestly discipline, with a consequent confusion nature, and enjoyed its amplitude. I was somewhat taken about priestly identity. This canker had emerged as one sad aback in reading the long quote from the Winter 1987 issue, fruit of unabated doctrinal dissent that had continued to spread to find a depiction of the state of seminaries so close to my after and despite Vatican II. own. Only recently had I gathered past issues for an archive, and I had never read these early issues nor discussed the seminary question with the founding Editor. I have thus The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy in the USA allowed myself unusual liberty in the inclusion of some Some priests were aware that a very different prototype of editorial asides of a “hear hear!” kind. (Ed.) priestly fellowship was already in existence in the United States of America. This was the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy. Fr B J H (Jim) Tierney, Mr Brian Schaefer, Mr James Introduction Power, Fr (now Msgr) Peter Elliott and (the now Fr) Brian It was my privilege to be the convener of the representative Harrison OS, were typical of those observers who were meeting of clergy which inaugurated the Australian early alerted to the looming crises in the Church which were Confraternity [originally Association] of Catholic Clergy. exacerbated as an unexpected aftermath following the Second Twenty years have now passed since that meeting took place. Vatican Council. If, as this retrospective overview unravels, some errors of fact Interestingly, all three clerics were converts to Catholicism. manage to creep in, the clouding of memory with the passing With the gift of hindsight it should come as no surprise why of the years will be the culprit. In the area of cause and effect they were sharply alert to the crises that arose when the I am sure that there will be room aplenty for differences of official constitutions and declarations of Vatican II were being opinion, let alone my personal interpretation of the facts. With eroded by ideological change agents. These latter chose to this in mind, I offer this account as a personal recollection speak of the “spirit of Vatican II” while giving short shrift of the events and the circumstances in the Church, local and to its letter. Tragically, these change agents found many universal, that in God’s Providence colluded to bring into platforms to disseminate this “itching ear syndrome” [cf, being the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy. 2Tim 4:3], particularly after the publication of Humanae Vitae in 1968. Background to our beginnings Amid all this confusion, loyal sons and daughters of the Just why did the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy Church – among both laity and clergy – vainly looked about come into being almost precisely twenty years ago on the 7th for forthright leadership since sadly those hell-bent on October 1985 at a meeting held in the annex to the Parish destruction were not restricted to the Gadarene swine of such Centre of St Joseph’s Parish, Riverwood, in the Archdiocese notoriety in the Gospel. As a young seminarian in the 1950s, of Sydney? I recalled the seminary Rector’s wise advice to his students: “Don’t try to be more Catholic than the Pope.” The problem First of all, across the country there had been many among then was the lingering spectre of Jansenism. both clergy and laity who had explored over a lengthy period ways and means to consolidate priestly ministry nationally In the meantime a very new kind of challenge had arisen. One and beyond diocesan boundaries. This impetus had led to a needed the ability to stand on one’s head to take on board series of gatherings of clergy which eventually resulted in the the wisdom in the advice which was now appropriate to the birth of the National Council of Priests (NCP). I was among topsy-turvy situation: “Try to remain at very least as Catholic those priests who had expectantly attended some of the early as the Pope.” It gave a new dimension to a comment once exploratory meetings. made by my own saintly Parish Priest, Monsignor Matthew “Matty” O’Donohue, who had baptised me. He declared in But like a number of priests, I discontinued my interest his final years as he approached 100 that his fondest hope and when it became evident after one well attended meeting at St prayer was “eventually to die a Catholic”. Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Sydney, that an aggressively “new Church” agenda would be hotly pursued by the elected

November 2005 18 Weeds among the wheat An unexpected catalyst In many dioceses, clergy conferences following on Vatican By sheer coincidence just a short time beforehand the II had been captured by “new theologies” and transmuted executive of the already existing National Council of Priests into operating theatres for dissenters to lobotomise the minds (NCP) had made an extraordinary declaration to the media. and adjust the pacemakers of the hearts of clergy. Many The claim was that they spoke for all the priests of Australia. clergy seemed to have forgotten how to read or, if they I well knew that there was not a bishop in Australia who did read, were now attracted to polluted sources with their would dare make such a wide-ranging assertion, even for ready-made, “new theologies”. There had been so many false his own priests. This outlandish declaration needed to be expectations spread abroad during the course of Vatican II answered. But how? As it turned out this declaration now by dissenting theologians that the ordination classes of the provided an unexpected catalyst which impelled me to mid to late-sixties were to pay the highest price. We still acquiesce readily to Father Brian McEwen’s request. Though await the separation of the weeds from the wheat in ongoing not actually the cause, this media report was to provide the education programs for the clergy. occasion for the representative meeting which was held At that time when the long-faithful laity approached to in my parish on 7 October 1985. This being so it may be confess their sins they were being told there was no longer reasonable for the ACCC, at least at its foundation, to plead any sin in infidelity, especially to Humanae Vitae. This guilty to being a reactionary body. specious consolation was also being dished out from many At this meeting the participants concluded that the best pulpits. Good people were fobbed off and bluntly told that way forward was to found another priestly fraternity but the Church had changed. one that was devoid of such pressure group pretensions. It Everywhere religious freedom was being grossly interpreted would remain unequivocally united in loyalty to the Pope as liberation from the constraints of religious belief; so it and the Bishops in union with him. Providence has since should come as no surprise that many chose no longer to proven that the time was indeed ripe for such action. Brother practise and many more chose no longer even to believe. priests reading this account, be they more recent members No wonder the Sacrament of Penance was abandoned and of the ACCC or long time members of the NCP, will no Sunday observance evaporated in subsequent years. doubt be surprised to learn that this fractious declaration by NCP leaders provided the final impetus for the founding During this time we were to witness an increasing number of the ACCC. of priests deserting their vocation and their solemn promises at ordination. Some even went so far as to desert the Church and the biblical city of God to embrace the secular city and The Coffey Case the instant gratification it promised. A little earlier, in 1980, some forty senior Sydney priests had united in rejecting the theories of Rev Dr David Coffey. He The pivotal role of Father Brian McEwen had targeted the very foundations of the Catholic faith by more than questioning the bodily Resurrection of the Lord in Father Brian McEwen, a priest of the Diocese of Wagga seminary lectures and other gatherings. The then Archbishop Wagga, was pivotal in carrying forward the range of of Sydney, Cardinal Sir James Freeman, declined to take insights of an untold number of committed Catholics action but suggested the forty priests take their concerns to the additional to those already mentioned above. Drawing on Apostolic Pro Nuncio to be forwarded for final adjudication the extensive research of Father Jim Tierney suggesting the by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Heavy basics of a practical constitution for a priestly association, in heart, the Cardinal felt the whole matter was beyond his he went to work on the details. His aim was to found a competence. A deeply spiritual man of simple faith and a priestly fellowship, strongly grounded on orthodoxy in great pastor, Cardinal Freeman was unfortunately overawed faith and unswerving loyalty to the Holy Father and the by the theological intelligentsia and could not cope with major Bishops in union with him. It would not act as a pressure differences from official Church teaching. group but as a rallying point for priests around their priesthood. The invitation to our October meeting was directed to a selection of priests from interstate dioceses whom I had In this endeavour he was greatly aided by the quiet wisdom not yet met, as well as to fellow diocesan priests in Sydney of Father Harry Jordan, MSC, a highly respected canonist, whom I did know. Many of the forty Sydney priests now who deftly fortified this inspiring hope with the recently agreed to attend what was to become the inaugural meeting promulgated (1983) Code of Canon Law. Father Jordan’s of the ACCC. explicit purpose was to bullet-proof this constitution. Time would quickly reveal that there would not be lacking those, After common areas of concern were tabled at this meeting even in high places, who would wish to deny the fledgling Monsignor Kevin Toomey OBE of Melbourne was elected ACCC its natural right to exist. I had come to know Father our interim Chairman, Father John Hayres, PP of Richmond, Brian McEwen when we were seminarians in the 1950s at Tasmania, our first Treasurer, Father Brian McEwen was St Patrick’s College, Manly. Early in 1985 he explored the elected our first Secretary and Father Ted Tyler of Yanco possibility of me hosting a representative gathering of priests NSW, Father Laurie Cusack of San Remo, Victoria, and in my Parish Centre. All I would have to do was agree to Father George Carmody of Peterborough SA, completed the send out the invitations and water and feed the participants executive. Father Jim Tierney was retained as consultant to on the day. consolidate the interim constitution which was to be presented at a future date when we had organised our first Annual General Meeting at our first National Conference.

19 The Priest There had, however, been one major oversight in the interim Congratulations on the formation of the ACCC. The first issue constitution. After I returned from the kitchen to invite the of The Priest was excellently produced. With your permission participants to the dinner table, I found that in my absence we will publish Father Byron’s article on Canon 522 in our the meeting had filled this lacuna and had appointed me as next journal and follow that with Father Harrison’s report on the Synod. We here need sentiments like those. interim Publicity Officer with the responsibility of initiating as Editor a national journal for priests. The meeting was also Letters of appreciation were also received from many agreed that it should be called simply, The Priest. This terse Australian priests. These included plaudits from Msgr title encompassed our aims and objects as clearly as possible. Cornelius (Con) Roberts, Scarborough, Qld., Fr P Treacy There was nothing more in our “bag of tricks” other than a Boland, Bilgola Heights, NSW, Fr Keith Shepherd SM, priestly fraternity dedicated to promoting the priesthood in Sydney, NSW, Fr K J O’Brien, CSsR, Pennant Hills, NSW, the service of the Church. Fr Matthew O’Donovan, Tighes Hill, NSW, Fr T J Connolly, Burwood, NSW, and from at least one bishop, Most Rev F So having already accepted the role of Martha in agreeing Peter De Campo, Bishop of Port Pirie SA. to water and dine the assembly, I now discovered that the lot had fallen on me, like an unlikely Matthias, to join the interim executive. How could I refuse? The second issue of The Priest The first issue of The Priest In the second issue of The Priest for Spring, 1986, I reflected Vol. 1 No. 1 of The Priest was launched in Autumn 1986. as editor on Pope John Paul’s Message to Dutch Youth, 14 It was sent out to some 3,500 priests throughout Australia. I May 1985: quote from my first editorial. ... Sometimes the Pope’s voice seems so solitary. But if the Pope as This, our first issue of The Priest, has been sent gratis to the Christ’s Vicar is not to be heeded then why heed the individual priests of Australia in the hope that each one will recognise in bishops, much less the theologians, sociologists, psychologists “The Priest” a brother in the service of the Church.... and other sundry experts? But, if he is accepted, universally, as by office the guarantor of the faith of the Church, then the As recently as the 12th September 1985, the Holy Father, speak- bishops by virtue of their communion with him share the same ing to a large group of priests at Castelgandolfo, encouraged teaching authority. the formation of priests’ associations in these words: That is why official Church teaching as promulgated by the Associations of priests are to be highly esteemed and diligently Magisterium must be the first concern of all priests: it is all promoted, when by means of rules recognised by the competent authority they foster priestly holiness in the exercise of the priestly too easy to step outside the communion of faith which is the ministry through a suitable and properly approved rule of life and Church. through brotherly help, and so aim at serving the whole order of When faith is lost in the priesthood and in the “Church” as she priests. has traditionally understood herself, the first thing to be severed To this end there was brought into being the Australian is the umbilical of the Magisterium. Association of Catholic Clergy at a gathering in Sydney last Basically it reduces to a question of what we mean by Church. October.... Specifically, it demands an awareness of our limitations as The contents of this first issue of our [then] quarterly journal members of the Church which the Holy Father warns us “did should demonstrate our intention to promote a high quality not invent herself”. He goes on to say: communication squarely based on official teaching. For this One loves a mother, one does not accuse her. One dialogues with a reason this issue centres on the recent Extraordinary Synod in mother. One goes to a mother to open one’s heart, to carry forward Rome which in Pope John Paul’s own words expressed “the joys with her the burdens of life, the concerns of the family ... I should and hopes, the grief and anguish of the men of our time.” likewise ask you not to approach the Church in such a way that you can no longer listen to her. You must not close yourselves off. At the close of the Synod the Holy Father in his final homily Instead you must remain united with one another. We must above said: all mutually sustain one another. It is ... necessary that the fruits of the Synod be brought to the local Churches. In this way one will set in action a vital movement able The First Annual Conference and AGM to serve the catholicity and unity of minds and hearts. This second issue of The Priest also gave notice of our First Producing that first edition ofThe Priest was a mammoth task. Annual General Meeting and Conference at Caritas Christi A printer friend, Mr Tom Colman of Forestville, helped with Conference Centre, Wahroonga, NSW. This ran 26-29 January layout, produced the galleys and the printed pages leaving 1987. it for me as Editor to collate, package and address the issue for the post. I was fortunate in having a youth group. They The third, Summer, 1987 issue of The Priest contained a short cheerfully came to the rescue and over three successive CV of the guest speakers. From the USA were Msgr Michael evenings processed in the church choir loft the bundles for J Wrenn, MA, MEd, of the Pontifical Catechetical Institute posting. at Dunwoodie Seminary, NY and Rev Dr Bob Levis, PhD, from Gannon University, Erie, PA, USA. They were backed After refusals, ranging from courteous to curt, to access up locally by Rev Mgr [the then Father] Peter Elliott, MA many of the existing computer databases, I had been forced (Oxon) from Melbourne. to hand-type the 3,500 names and addresses obtained from other sources to ensure that the first issue went out to every The subjects covered were: Contemporary Catholic Scripture priest in Australia we could track down. Scholarship; Catechetical Strategies to ensure truth is handed on; The Family – a Sacrament; The Confraternity of This first issue was also mailed to Msgr Nelson Logal, Catholic Clergy – our “sister” organisation. Both overseas Chairman of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy in the USA. visitors addressed public meetings in Melbourne, Sydney In reply he said: and Brisbane.

November 2005 20 We were fortunate indeed in having Most Rev William To this end I can do no better than quote from his column in (Bill) Brennan, Bishop of Wagga Wagga, to bless, open and the first edition ofThe Priest, Autumn 1986: speak at this our First National Conference and AGM. [The In establishing our association, we believe there is a real decision to publish his address in this issue was earlier and need. We need it as a forum for orthodoxy, as a vehicle to independently made by the present Editor.] Bishop Patrick demonstrate our loyalty to the Magisterium of the Church and Murphy of Broken Bay diocese where the conference was to give us the opportunity, in small groups and large, to live our held was unfortunately unavailable. priesthood in communion with the Pope and our Bishops. In the fourth, Autumn, 1987, issue of The Priest I was able We are neither Right-wingers nor Left, whatever these names to report in another Australia-wide mail out, made possible signify. We are just ordinary priests doing our best to live by a generous donation from a wonderful lay supporter, Mr out our priesthood in communion with the Pope and our Bishops. Bill Daly, then resident in Queensland: It is terribly dangerous to pin labels on anyone. Once a person Bishop William Brennan’s inaugural address at our [first] is labelled, then everything he says is coloured in the light of Conference is also included [in that early edition of The Priest] that label. Cardinal Ratzinger has recently been labelled as for those who like to hear bishops speaking directly with close either too pessimistic or too negative and, because of these affinity for their audience. His pastoral concern as bishop is labels, the richness of all that is contained in the RATZINGER backed by his pastoral experience as a parish priest. He knows REPORT was seldom discussed, debated or even read. of what we are made. If we must have a label, let it be that all our efforts will be in That issue also announced the election of Father Rod Bray, pursuit of truth. Parish Priest of Merrylands in the Diocese of Parramatta as our second Chairman succeeding our first [interim] To anyone who has his “ear to the ground”, it is obvious that the Church today is in crisis, and this worldwide. While it Chairman, Msgr Kevin Toomey, OBE. must be said that there are many good things happening in our midst, and we applaud these, there are also problems screaming out for rectification. Reactions We have a twofold task, then. Firstly, we must encourage all It has been ruefully remarked by those who have suffered that is good for the development of an apostolic laity, but we for their best efforts: scratch a “liberal” and you will often would be ostrich-like if we didn’t also consider solutions to the uncover a fascist. Apart from the lack of co-operation in problems which confront us. We have seemingly lost so many accessing existing databases to reach all Australian priests, good people who have moved to the fringe of the Church, heavy pressure was frequently to be put on early ACCC there is terrible confusion on doctrine and morals while the members, and would-be members, to join the already loss of faith of our youth, even as young as pre-teen years, is existing National Council of Priests. This ignored completely crying out for an answer. the many different reasons why Christ’s faithful may choose Insofar as it is within our power, we want to give positive to associate or not. support to everything that enriches the faithful and, at the same time, tackle the problems we face. We hope this will be Freedom of association cannot arbitrarily be restricted done in a supportive and constructive manner and we crave to joining an existing organisation, however fetching its your help as we go about these daunting tasks. credentials. While in a democracy the aims and objects We ask God’s blessing on our work, and yours, and may our of an organisation are its greatest draw card, the way in association help us become more worthy instruments in His which these same aims and objects are carried out by service. the elected executive may also happen to deter others from joining and provide the reason for choosing not to Sadly, Mgr Kevin Toomey was afflicted by failing health associate. The ACCC has always respected this freedom and he was compelled to stand down and undergo by-pass of association, upheld in the 1983 Code, and over the heart surgery. Indeed, he was fortunate to survive. This years has continued to increase its membership on its own explains why he was unable to run for the chairmanship at merits as younger priests and seminarians have come to the first AGM, held in January 1987. Nonetheless his broad appreciate its raison d’etre. experience and wise guidance proved foundational and was an important beginning. Unless this freedom is respected it will be quickly supplanted by an intimidatory and thinly disguised fascism. In this regard the committed dismantlers of the “old Church” were Cardinal Josef Ratzinger not slow to use the very methods they hated and regularly Mgr Toomey’s reference in his column to the importance of attributed to that “old Church”. Thus was exposed the real Cardinal Josef Ratzinger’s role has since proven in its own agenda of so many of these agents of change: they were way prophetic. Just recently [August 2005], at a meeting of promoting nothing less than anarchy in the local Churches the Council of Priests of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Cardinal to live among the ruins. George Pell was asked what precisely was his agenda for the Church in Sydney. His reply was: The first National Chairman: Msgr Kevin Toomey, OBE Just read whatever Cardinal Ratzinger has written and pay attention to whatever Pope Benedict XVI has to say. That in Our first and interim Chairman, Msgr Kevin Toomey, was a a nutshell is and will be my agenda. tower of strength. Before retirement he had led the YCW in Melbourne. I got to know him in short order and we worked Now twenty years on, the ingredients of the intrinsic truth of well together for we were united by the same ideals of the the old proverb, Ecclesia semper reformanda (the Church is priesthood and the same faith in the mission of the Church. always in need of reform), have become much clearer. While

21 The Priest the Church is ever in need of reform, everything hinges on The temptation is to capitulate at the throwing down of the just how that reform is carried out. History consistently gauntlet. records how revolution brings in its wake not reformation The result is that the Church, Christ’s Body, is bleeding as but disintegration. the world leads her captive. Should we, so unlike St Paul, be For the Church, the maintenance of continuity in the afraid to make our boast in the Lord? Why pall at the cost development of her doctrine and in the application of moral and recoil as if manacled, silenced or, at most whimpering, principles to the problems of our age is “a must”, if she is to rather than confidently proclaim Christ asthe only Way to the remain the Communion of Christ’s Faithful. That the Church Father? The early Christians were prepared to pay the price is the Communion of Christ’s Faithful is a fundamental model for their faith, and they transformed society by the splendid of her self-image. Discontinuity can sever us ever so easily clarity of their witness. Though they well knew it was wrong from Christ, the Head, simply because true reconciliation to seek martyrdom, nonetheless they were prepared to suffer begins and ends in Christ “who is the same yesterday, today for Christ’s sake. and tomorrow”. It is all very well to claim we can work quietly for the True reconciliation can never begin with a feeble compromise kingdom, but to be counted we need also to be visible. All too of Christ’s teaching. We cannot shelve the hard sayings of often when we are seen, we can only be counted on as having Christ in the Gospels. They remain embedded in the Church’s nothing to offer but an endorsement of the ways of the world. doctrine and moral teachings. This deposit of faith is entrusted We seem more intent on being married to contemporary to her as her living memory. The Church cannot forget her society than betrothed to Christ. origins as some political movements can do, have done, and Our present Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has not been slow will do again. Her constitution cannot be rewritten like the to remind us sharply that the following of Christ is of its platform of a political party. nature counter-cultural. If we truly live the faith, we will find ourselves opposed to many of the ideological alternatives being offered in our heavily secularised and naturalistic A Vexed Question society. For believers the words of the Lord remain spirit and Innovation may be the way of the world, but the way of the life, not the latest populist “try-ons”. Church is renovation. Biblically, we are called to “restore all things in Christ”. It is the height of hubris to maintain we can branch out in such a way as to do even better than He did. The Crisis in Priestly Vocations Soft-option Christianity, as the Dutch and the Americans have We faced this subject squarely in the fifth, Winter 1987 issue now learned to their cost [and Australia also! (Ed.)], makes no of The Priest. The leading article by Brother Christian Moe, demand on faith; its only demand is a lazy nod to a paralytic FSC, was entitled: “The Priest as Priest – His Priestly Image”. and notional Christianity. It is well worth a reprint and I am sure this will come. My own This was the kind of spiritual malaise that had deeply infected contribution in that issue was the following editorial entitled, so many in our time at all levels in the Church and this “Supply” or “Demand?” Now, some eighteen years on, I see malaise persists still. While it is certainly true that living a no reason to resile from one word I had written. truly Christian life demands both a soft heart and a clear head, We are constantly reminded of the shortage of vocations to the even more so it demands genuine holiness of life to maintain priesthood. Tragically, it is habitually portrayed as just another the proper balance together with fidelity to Christ. sad fact we must learn to live with. The Servant of God, our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul Some will see it as a sign from God that we will have to do II, during his long pontificate has provided us with an without priests in the future. extraordinary number of examples of sainthood for our times. They aver that the Lord is trying to teach us something good It yet remains for most of us to uncover the clues to their for the future of the Church; that in the past the priesthood has holiness of life in our heavily secularised world. This is the been overrated and usurped the role of the laity and now the way forward effectively to bear witness to Christ. age of the lay Church is dawning. We won’t have the priests (or religious). So at last the laity can come to the fore to supply It is important to discern that however often the crowds came the need and find their rightful place. to the Lord “just as they were” [a reference to the appalling so-called hymn, “Come as you are” (Ed.)], they never left him I see it more as a sign from modern man that the priesthood has been downgraded and debased. I know there is no such “just as they were” – except to reject him. At other times when thing as the “lay Church” nor that the Lord ever meant there they left him they were reconciled, transformed and uplifted. to be a “lay Church”. They were faith filled. It is abundantly clear that they were no longer “just as they were”. I’m old fashioned enough to still believe in the hierarchical Church which Christ did establish despite the modern craving In today’s world the common and individualistic quest for for democratic models for everything. That we won’t have “personal empowerment” regularly takes on an un-Christian priests is to our everlasting shame. For the laity will be deprived twist that is essentially pagan. This may help explain why of instruction, the sacraments, and leadership as truly as any among the baptised so many “New Age” practices have persecuted of oppressed church in any age. overtaken and supplanted the practice of the Faith. A self- I perceive any acceptance of the status quo as at best ignorance centred individualism is rampantly on the march within and at worse a sham. the Church as in our society and the Church is mightily To promote lay ministry is one thing: to promote lay ministry challenged to respond. Leadership can be intimidated by the at the expense of the priesthood … is quite another. task or, even worse, paralysed from fear of the consequences. To look to the laity is one thing: to deprive the laity of the

November 2005 22 priesthood is an act of treason emulating the actions of the this phenomenon in the face of Arianism. Then, the laity and the Church’s greatest persecutors. parish clergy lent purpose and courage to the weak. To suggest or even imply that the laity can supply for the Let us not pretend we are facing an inexorable future. We must priesthood is to abandon the Catholic faith for a pragmatic face up squarely to the challenge of the Third Millennium with presbyterianism. our Holy Father who insists: The Lord is certainly trying to tell us something. It is to get Jesus did not want a Church without priests. If priests are lack- moving to discern, encourage, foster and support any interest ing, then Jesus is lacking, in the world, as in his Eucharist and his by anyone in the priesthood. forgiveness. In my own experience there is not nearly the lack of interest To show we belong to Christ’s Body [and] we must follow the in the priesthood as is often protested by those whose pastoral lead of the Head, not be intimidated by the fears of wayward concerns are at second or even third hand. members. Added to that it is my personal conviction that many of these are So pray the Lord of the harvest not only to send labourers into genuine prospects who are deterred from the priesthood rather his harvest but pray also that they not be repelled or rejected. than encouraged. Their enthusiasm is killed before it can ever As recently at the 19th June last [1987], the Pope in his ad be directed and they frequently end up totally confused, even limina address to the Austrian Bishops said: betrayed, by those to whom they have given their trust. ... The Lord is calling men today as at all times, and no less than Inexperienced assessors, who barely make casual acquaintance before, to his special priestly service. This call, however, must with such candidates, subject them to psychological tests of be carefully nourished and accompanied so that it may come to contestable validity instead of letting them “taste and see that maturity. Therein lies the almost terrifyingly great responsibility of all who share in the education and formation of candidates for the the Lord is good.” They are pre-judged not tested. priesthood.… [Emphasis added by the original Editor.] Bishops, who have among their foremost charge to provide If we really trust in God, there is a “supply” in response to the priests for their people, often do not even meet them [the can- “demand”. If we trust in man we will delude ourselves into didates]. The seed never gets to the seminary. believing we can do without – not only priests, but prayer, and They are rejected because there is fear they will not fit in with ultimately God Himself. the modern Church – which being translated means that they We will have succeeded only in being the vanguard of a truly say the rosary, go to Mass on weekdays and hold on to the Christless Christianity — a totally secularised and devalued devotional practices of their forefathers – practices of proven travesty of a once priceless Faith. supernatural benefit even in our modern times. “If priests are lacking, then Jesus is lacking....” Even worse, they are judged not compliant with the current fancies of the modern theologists, however discredited, who Signs of Sanity claim independence of Pope and Council. We must thank God for signs today of a return to sanity. To quote a glaring example: a Charles Curran article “Authority Young men are once more coming forward in increasing and Dissent in the Church” was recently [June 1987] rec- numbers to enquire seriously about the priesthood. They are ommended by the Pastoral Studies Committee for Clergy not only being accepted, many are being ordained. Some Education and Formation in the Archdiocese of Sydney! As we all know Curran has recently lost his credentials as a Catholic seminaries have been renewed from top to bottom; others, still theologian. Yet this official publication can choose to ignore lagging behind, are barely surviving, stuck in an ideological that and by implication ignores also the credentials of the backwater with the mistaken idea that relevance to the world Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which is underwrit- is more important than fidelity to Christ. They would do well ten by the Pope himself. to chew on Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s incisive remark: This blind passion for the toleration of dissent within the Church “We are here to be faithful, not successful.” makes it virtually impossible for properly instructed so-called Bishop William Brennan traditional Catholics to be accepted as students for the priest- hood or, if accepted, to survive the pressures to comply with Bishop William (Bill) Brennan of Wagga Wagga demonstrated the latest theological fads and foibles. For comply they must real courage by founding Vianney College Seminary. [See – to what frequently amounts to a new religion. To adhere to contemporary and independent tribute in the issue. (Ed.)] the constant teaching of the Church is to be judged obdurate History will record that it was he who changed the “name and an unfit subject for ordination — too black and white, too of the game” in Australia’s seminaries. Unfortunately, the unyielding and uncompromising. The loyalty that is sought is to Church is now deprived of his considerable insight and gifted the latest fads not the timeless faith of Christ’s Church. And so, many decent young men are rejected or repelled out of hand. intellect following a massive stroke a few years ago and his subsequent retirement. Yes, the Church is suffering. There will be a shortage of priests for “the Australian Church” yet there could easily be sufficient I had known Bill both as a schoolboy and in the seminary and for the needs of the “Catholic Church in Australia”. was well aware of his keen intellectual gifts and his personal What is at stake is worth fighting for. To acquiesce in paralysed tenacity. Despite nasty criticism, it was his canonical right acceptance of the che sera, sera is to be numbed by a tune that as a residential Bishop to found his own seminary in Wagga has enervated into nominalism all ranks of the Church many – and what is more he saw to it that it was staffed by properly times before. qualified priests, loyal to the Magisterium, who kept in touch The leadership must be forthcoming if only as a result of the just with the faithful through ongoing pastoral work in parishes. demands of those who have always suffered most for their faith, He even taught for a time a number of the subjects until such the very laity who are a useful excuse for a policy of inaction. men became available. However he was, like many others Truly the age of the laity is dawning once more – but to remind who love their faith, labelled as divisive. the shepherds of the needs of the flock still ravaged by wolves in sheep’s clothing. [The Venerable John Henry] Newman analysed Continuedon page 42

23 The Priest Rights and the Administrative Process in Canon Law: the application of salus animarum

Monsignor J Anthony McDaid *

It is not only in the USA that gross violations of canonical process occur. Attentive priests will be able to cite multiple cases where recourse to the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome has resulted in decrees in favour of the priest and against the bishop – and know of multiple cases where bishops have Mgr McDaid addresses not implemented Roman decrees. A brief resumé of the relevant 2005 Conference canonical area of administrative process (not of judicial examine this theme in an academic fashion, rather I should like process) may assist clergy and laity – and bishops – in a closer to put some flesh on the legal bones provided by some of the observance of canonical and natural human rights in an era canons regarding this topic so as to assist readers in arriving at where there is increased rhetoric of “rights”, but reduced a fuller understanding of the context in which these are actually practice of “rights”. This paper was first presented by the being viewed in practice. It is not my intention to be taxative or author to the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland exhaustive, but merely to underscore some of the areas where on 21 May 1997 – that is, before the 30 April 2001 motu proprio concerns have arisen with regard to rights. Let us then begin publication of Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela that reserves with some of the promised “enfleshment”. certain grave delicts to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. Articles 13 and 14 of this motu proprio however uphold Human rights, both canonical and natural the “preliminary investigation” procedures – that precede juricicial process – as these are described in the administrative It must be clear, from the outset, that when we canonists speak treatment given below by the author. (Editor) of “rights” enforceable in the Church community we are, in the main, speaking of rights which are natural and/or canonical in Loss of regard for “due process” nature. We have no mechanism for enforcing civil statutes or laws (unless these be “canonised”, according to the norm of In today’s world, the clamour with regard to the exercise and law). One could be forgiven for wondering if this is a necessary preservation of rights of various sorts has reached notable statement, it seems so obvious as to go without saying. But it has proportions. The din is cacophonous, the volume, ear splitting. to be “said”, because canonists do not “rule the world”, not even We live in a situation where it seems that justice must appear “to that part of it which is our own world. In Church governance, be done” – and in a quick and unambiguous fashion – by public canon law is not always given the pre-eminence envisioned by authorities, either civil or ecclesiastical. In this situation, it is canon 22, where it is clearly stated that in a situation of lack possible that certain inalienable human rights may be trampled of congruence between civil law, divine law and/or canon law, upon. They may not even be heard, or being heard, they may the last two are normative, not the first one.1 not be allowed to be vindicated, in the face of an existential situation demanding speedy redress. What we then observe is Canon lawyers are sometimes displaced by their civil a contemporary environment, where due process of law can be counterparts who can proceed with impunity to interpret deprived of its meaning and where the accused may fall victim canon law and may even instruct diocesan authorities what to pseudo-processes with shades of the summary “justice” of canons may be followed and what canons cannot be followed the old “Wild West” days. in given situations. This mode of approach can appear to be very effective in the immediate term and create a desired The voice of the accused, innocent or guilty, may not be heard public image, but, in the long term, it is fraught with serious above the babble as he pleads for rights assured him by law problems and can set diocesan authorities on a collision course but sometimes rendered ineffective in practice. Perhaps the with ecclesiastical Tribunals, on every level, and with canon individual may also be so “winded” by the accusations against law itself. him that he may be unable to act immediately in an appropriate legal fashion. Sometimes, advantage may be taken by the Clarity of Canon Law necessary to preserve integrity of authorities of the ignorance of those accused of canonical Church governance rights, and the accused may lack access to adequate and timely canonical advice. The possible scenarios are many. In the litigious societies in which the Church lives and moves, for many reasons, there is oftentimes an “arranged” marriage The pressure of an immediate and sometimes precipitous between civil and canon law, especially with regard to particular response to a mere accusation, can lead to a serious miscarriage administrative procedures enacted by local ecclesiastical of justice, grave violation of law, and may also create a jurisdictions. Such “arranged marriages” can be tolerated as situation of “no return” for the accused. In recent times we long as the norm of canon 22 is respected. Where it is not, have all become more acquainted with specific situations in violation of rights may occur and invalid canonical acts, void these regards. of juridic effect, may be unwittingly posited with grave injustice to individuals. Putting flesh on legal bones Thus it is an essential – and a “threshold” issue – is to ensure In approaching the topic of our reflection, Rights and the that we are dealing with the application of laws and procedures Administrative Process in Canon Law, I have chosen not to which may worthily bear the title “natural” or “canonical”. A

November 2005 24 hybrid of procedure that mixes ecclesiastical and civil fora, from false premises]. This understanding is reflected in canon outside of the understandings of canon 22, needs at all costs 87#1, wherein we find with regard to the dispensing power of to be avoided. This is so because – in the event of hierarchical the diocesan bishop that “... He cannot dispense from procedural recourse – the administrative procedures which were used will laws or from penal laws ...”.4 Thus the procedures which must be evaluated only from the perspective of canon law and natural be used are clearly indicated and are sacrosanct under pain of law only. To admit of any other possibility would be “contra possible invalidity. legem” [contrary to the law (of the Church)] and outside of the competent review of any ecclesiastical body. Purity of canonical Being the People of God, however, it must also be remembered, process must be assured. that we are called by the Gospel as well as the legislation of the Code (cf, #1713ff) in our efforts at trying wherever possible Canon 221#3, encapsulates the rationale for such “purity”.2 It to resolve particular conflicts and contentious situations by indicates that “Christ’s faithful have the right that no canonical way of conciliation before having to resort to legal processes. penalties be imposed upon them except in accordance with the This avenue is one that also must be practically explored by law”. The “nisi” used in the latin text has particular significance prospective litigants. Too often it is overshadowed completely and adds weight to the discipline expressed. and the issues are addressed immediately within a procedural framework. Centrality of “process” in canon law Canonical process subsumes “gospel values” If, in practice, canonical penalties are applied to an individual as a result of a process, and individual has the right to insist It may be said that it is envisioned in both the Gospel and the that no canonical penalty be applied save by a truly canonical Code that legal processes are only to be used when the normal process. If the process is not recognisable as canonical, but the framework of human interaction has proven inadequate in a penalty is canonical, it can be readily appreciated that there is given situation. This dynamic cannot be glossed over, as it is an anomalous situation operative with concomitant violation of evangelically based (1Cor 6:1ff). We cannot allow ourselves individual canonical rights. Mutatis mutandis, the same may to be pressured by circumstances to act hastily or contrary to be said for matters pertaining to natural law. “gospel values”. If we do, this is tantamount to admitting that the Gospel cannot work in the world. We must be willing to The Code of Canon Law, as the Holy Father indicated in risk the possible damage coming from civil society acting as it the Apostolic Constitution, Sacrae disciplinae leges, is the will, according to its laws and practices, yet not allowing this “Church’s fundamental legislative document ... based on the to inhibit us from acting in a way reflective of the Gospel and juridical and legislative heritage of revelation and tradition, and of our own particular discipline and values. This expectation, is absolutely necessary for the Church ... [so that] the mutual too, is a right of any member of the People of God. relationships of Christ’s faithful are reconciled in justice based on charity, with the rights of each safeguarded and defined”.3 Essential conditions in canonical processes

Emergence of arbitrary governance in the Church Other understandings which are sine qua non [essential or given conditions], are the rights in natural justice to be considered Sometimes one could be forgiven for having the impression that innocent until proven guilty and to a good reputation until this in some sectors within the Church, canon law is not regarded might yield to contrary, proven fact. These must be clearly as “real” law; that is something extraneous to the life and understood to be real rights of the individual and must be ministry of the Church; that it has no “teeth” and therefore, safeguarded as such by competent authority. These are not mere can be disregarded in practice; that Tribunals are not “real” theories subject to arbitrary interpretation and application, but Tribunals but merely a place where “something” is done about are rights guaranteed in our legal structure by canons 220 and previous marriages. Tribunals are not seen as the active judicial 221,[fnn 5,6] as well as in other places. Being such, their violation arm of ecclesiastical governance or truly as the Bishop’s court. can lead to appropriate legal redress, as canon 221#1 and #2 Such an attitude regarding canon law, canonical processes and assures. ecclesiastical tribunals is not lacking in prevalence today. As long as such a view persists, we will tend to continue to walk a Having looked at some general, yet basic, areas of concern, let tightrope with regard to any real understanding or vindication of us now move along to canons 1717 and following.7 Here we some basic rights within the Church. Thus, it is incumbent upon begin to see the “how to” with regard to administrative action. canonists, within our local settings, and in order to contribute The first matter which comes to our attention is that called de positively to good order within the Church, to do our utmost previa investigatio – the “preliminary” or “prior” investigation. to ensure that the legal framework which, as the Holy Father This is a legal instrument that the Ordinary [bishop or superior says, “safeguards and defines the rights of Christ’s faithful”, general] has available to him when information comes his way, is not “adjusted” or allowed to be substantively altered so as which has at least the semblance of truth, about an offence. It in practice to be rendered ineffective. must be noted that the canon does not indicate that the Ordinary must begin this investigation upon being merely presented Introduction of false premises where due process not with any and all types of suspicions or allegations. The quality observed which is decisive here is that there be at least the semblance of truth. It is clear in justice to the accused that it is incumbent This is indeed a “threshold” issue in any discussion of rights upon the Ordinary to base any subsequent action upon serious because it defines the framework within which justice will be information and not scurrilous, ephemeral or vindictive pursued and possible penalties imposed. If the point of departure accusation. In the climate of today’s world, failure to observe of an administrative process is not clear or is based on flawed, this process requirement may give rise to possible effects are hybridised principles, then ... ex premessa falsa ... [it proceeds grave whether the accusations be proven or not. This must be

25 The Priest taken into account by the Ordinary prior to his initiation or the Invoking a “process”, whether administrative or judicial “preliminary investigation”. Given the information now assembled, he may do a variety Canonical prescription of things, among which is to decide whether or not to apply administrative measures or to engage in the instruction of a Another factor which the Ordinary must face at this time is process [ie, preparing a dossier of evidence to be used in a whether or not prescription [acquiring or losing of subjective “process”], either administrative or judicial, having consulted rights, Canon 197 – a kind of “statute of limitations”] is two judges or legal experts, if he deems such action prudent. operative with regard to the alleged offence, in which case the After the decision that the information presented to the discipline of canons 1362 [extinguishments of criminal action Ordinary has the semblance of truth and the alleged action by the elapse of time] and 1492 [actions may not be brought in is not prescripted [removed from legal recourse through the 8,9 perpetuity] must be observed. If not, the matter of violation expiration of time], it is interesting to note that the involvement of rights can again come into play. Prescription is a difficult of persons thus far has been that of the Ordinary, his delegate, canonical area, especially in jurisdictions where it does not the accused, those questioned by the Ordinary or the delegate have a civil resonance. However, the Supreme Legislator is in establishing the facts of the matter and lastly, the two judges not unknown to grant non-retroactive derogation from this or legal experts. No others have been involved for reasons discipline under certain circumstances. But, this derogation already stated. is not tantamount to abrogation of the extant norms regarding prescription for the universal Church. Canonical penalty or Having completed the previa investigatio and having decided limitation of rights cannot be considered if prescription is to proceed to an administrative or judicial process, it is only operative. [Ed. Annotations.] now that in the strict sense of the word is a process engaged. What has happened thus far is a preliminary investigation “not Stage of “preliminary investigation” a process”. The only decision made at this juncture is to enter into the process itself, not a decision regarding application Once the Ordinary has decided that he may proceed with of a penalty or restriction of any of the rights of the accused the previa investigatio [preliminary investigations], the person. canon indicates that he himself enquires about the facts and circumstances, or he does this per aliam idoneam personam, An important distinction between canonical and civil “through some other suitable person”. At this stage of the process investigation, we are not involved in a “process”, stricte dictu [in the strict terms thereof]. The whole thrust of the action is It is important to be clear that the procedure of so called very “low-key” at this point, and is conducted away from the “administrative leave”, as we know it in many English public eye as there is little information available and nothing has speaking countries, does not have a resonance in the Code yet been established. Thus, the good reputation of the accused of Canon Law. Many have tried to make canon 1722 into the must be assured (canon 1717#2 insists on this). legal instrument of “administrative leave”, but it just does not accommodate such a construction. Canon 1722 indicates that It must be stressed that the canon does not envision anyone other certain situations must be operative before its application may than the Ordinary or an individual appointed by him, according be considered – namely, “in order to prevent scandal, protect to the norm of law, conducting this enquiry into facts and the freedom of the witnesses and safeguard the course of circumstances. The canon, then, speaks in the singular, not in the justice”. This canon may only be invoked “at any stage of the plural, with regard to the enquiring official. The accused would process”. As the previa investigatio is not a “process”, but a thus appear to have the right, at this juncture, to be dealing only prior investigation to determine whether or not a process will be with the Ordinary or an individual person appointed by him who pursued and what type that process will be, the civil concept of acts within the terms prescribed by canon 1717#1. “administrative leave” cannot be invoked during the time of the previa investigatio. Again, these provisions are canonical, not The rights of the accused to privacy and good reputation civil, in their nature and understanding, and may stay in effect is further bolstered by the norm of canon 1719 where it is only for as long as these situations obtain or until cessation indicated that, unless needed for a subsequent penal process, the of the penal process. If the actions inherent in canon 1722 are information which was causative of the previa investigatione initiated by an ecclesiastical Ordinary, it must be remembered and that which was obtained during the same, is to be plac in that his only legal authority is canonical and thus his authority the secret archive of the Curia. Were this information to be must be exercised in harmony with the law of the Church. placed instead in the regular personnel records of the innocent accused and/or used were he to attempt, for example, in the case It must also be remembered that in the application of this canon, of a priest, to incardinate in another diocese or seek ministry in the accused is to be summoned and the Promotor of Justice another jurisdiction, this could appear to be a violation of his consulted. If these latter actions do not occur, among other rights for which he might seek appropriate vindication. possibilities, the discipline of canon 18, which indicates strict interpretation of laws restricting the free exercise of rights, may The essential characteristic of the previa investigatio is that the come into effect.10 This is another sensitive area for the rights Ordinary is seeking to establish whether or not there is “smoke” of an individual in an administrative process. with regard to the alleged offence. It is not envisioned that this investigation is meant to lead to the “fire” itself. In other words, Administrative process it could be stated that the Ordinary is seeking “probable cause” to proceed further and in the absence of the same, to go no If the Ordinary proceeds by way of extra-judicial decree he now further. Canon 1718 lays out the Ordinary’s options once the must notify the accused of the allegation and the proofs, give “facts have been assembled”. an opportunity for adequate defence, and – with two assessors

November 2005 26 – weigh all the proofs, arguments and the defence offered. If regard to the matter of the use of psychology and psychiatry the offence is certainly proven, he is then to issue a legitimate in these sensitive areas. decree according to the norm of law. It must be remembered that no perpetual penalties may be imposed or declared by means of The Church has always seen fit jealously to guard that which a decree (canons 134#2 and 1349) [since these heavier penalties pertains to the intimate, private life of an individual person. The require a judicial process, not an administrative process].11,12 matter is regarded as a fundamental, natural right – a property of The discipline of canon 50 is important in this context also.13 the person – and, therefore, inviolable. In a world much taken The canon states, “Before issuing a singular decree, the person with the therapeutic approach to the human person and not in authority is to seek the necessary information and proof as clear on christian anthropology with regard to same, these and, as far as possible, is to consult those whose rights could waters can become quite muddied. It is necessary to ensure be harmed.” that a proper and dignified approach to the human person be assured under all circumstances. This is also true during Petition in administrative process processes of canon law, especially given that the purpose of such law is clearly defined as being the salus animarum [the In any subsequent process of recourse, it is essential to good of souls] (Canon 1752). Thus, in attempting to deal with remember that before seeking recourse, the author of the decree one set of victims, care must be exercised so as not to create a in question is to be petitioned for revocation or amendment of new group of victims – namely those whose fundamental human the decree. This is [a prior action required in order legally to rights regarding privacy are denied them in practice by those proceed], a debet, in canon 1734#1, and therefore, a necessary exercising authority, while, at the same time, the laws of the step. If this action does not happen, then the petition for land and of the Church proclaim such rights as inalienable. hierarchical recourse would be rejected in procedendo [by reason of defect of procedure]. Abuse of “internal forum” in respect of priests and seminarians Canon 1734#2, indicates that the petition must be made within “the peremptory time-limit of ten canonical days [decem dierum Pope Paul VI was much concerned at what he perceived as an utilium] from the time the decree was lawfully notified”. The invasion of the “internal forum” of the person. He instructed action necessary to lodge the appeal is to take pen in hand and Cardinal Villot, then Cardinal Secretary of State, to make his write a letter, as there is no question of having to ensure access mind on the matter known to the bishops of the Church. This to any Acta at a Curia before being able to formulate such an was done in a letter dated 6 August 1976 which was sent to appeal. The “canonical days” involved are, generally speaking, all the Nuncios for transmission to the bishops of the world continuous. An exception would be if the last day of the ten (Secretariat of State, 6 August 1976). In essence the Holy Father ended on a day in which access to the authority was impossible, indicated that no one (the text states “not even Religious or such as a week-end closure or other holiday. It is important to Diocesan Superiors”) can breach the intimate psychological or note the computation of canonical time as we are dealing with moral domain of a person without having his “prior, explicit, another debet in the canon. Without proper adherence to the informed and absolutely free consent ... which cannot be forced norm of this canon, the individual’s right to present hierarchical in any way”. It goes on to indicate that this information is not recourse may be prescripted. to be shared by the professional involved with third parties and that the professional and natural “secrets” involved must be The same mode of computation of time should be used in maintained. The letter included an article, commissioned by the following the discipline of canon 57 where 30 days of silence Secretariat of State, and published in June 1976 in La Civiltà from the authority in question becomes a negative decision in Cattolica (pages 541-551) entitled “Psychological Testing and 14 itself. After communication of a refusal to revoke or amend, the Rights of the Person”, written by Father Vittorio Marcozzi or after 30 days of silence, the individual has 15 days in which of the Gregorian University, which expresses and synthesises to appeal to the hierarchical superior either through the author the position of the Church in this delicate area. There was also of the decree, who must forward the recourse immediately, or a follow-up article in the December 1983 issue of La Civiltà by appealing directly to the hierarchical superior. If these time Cattolica (pages 573-578) on the same topic by the author after frames are not strictly followed, the appeal can be denied for the publication of the 1983 Code. lack of proper procedure. The issue has taken on particular relevance in our own day Once the appeal is lodged with the hierarchical Superior, then, when psychological testing is used with such frequency, even according to the norm of law, the Superior has three months sometimes as a tool in administrative processes. It must be within which to deal with the recourse. According to the clearly stated that the Church is not opposed to such testings Regolamento Generale della Curia Romana, Article 120#2, as long as they are utilised in the context of her teaching on these fatalia legis may be further prorogued [ie, for a just cause, human rights and that they do not violate the moral order 15 have extended the time limits already imposed by the law]. (on this, see Communicationes, the official publication of The time period of the prorogation and the reasons for it must the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, 12 (1980) page be communicated to the appellant. Any decision of a [Roman 186). However, the limitations of projective psychological curial] Congregation may, of course, be appealed by either party testing – with regard to proving or disproving whether or not to the Apostolic Signatura. a delict occurred – must be really understood. The discovery of an inclination towards a particular type of behaviour, in Administrative use of psychological and psychiatric the human person marred by original sin, cannot be equated evidence with his guilt or innocence in a given situation. Psychology Before taking leave of this thorny thicket of rights and matters and psychiatry are imprecise sciences, much depends on the administrative, it would be opportune to say a few words with hermeneutic involved in understanding and interpreting the data

27 The Priest procured. This, in turn, depends on the school of thought of the 4 ... non tamen in legibus processalibus aut poenalibus .... interpreter, which may be such as to not be in conformity with 5 ... Nemini licet bonam famam, qua quis gaudet, illegitime laedere, christian anthropology. nec ius cuiusque personae ad propriam intimitatem tuendam violare. 6 #1.Christifidelibus competit ut iura, quibus in Ecclesia gaudent, Preservation of rights in this sensitive area legitime vindicent atque defendant in foro competenti ecclesiastico ad normam iuris. #2 Christifidelibus ius quoque est ut, si ad iudicium ab In short, psychological and psychiatric methods are to be used auctoritate competenti vocentur, iudicentur servatis iuris praescriptis, with great discernment. They may not be used as means of cum aequitate applicandis. #3 Christifidelibus ius est, ne poenis peering into the psyche of an individual without his true consent, canonicis nisi ad normam legis plectantur. or as a means of spying on the intimacy of the person to obtain 7 These are the canons pertaining to “De Processu Poenali”, please information that would otherwise be covered by professional or refer to the Code for the texts. sacramental seal. They may be used, if appropriate, as a means 8 Canon 1362 sets out the terms of canonical prescription. The Holy of therapy for the well-being of the individual at the individual’s Father has granted on 25 April 1994, a derogation “ad quinquennium” request, but, as long as the individual is responsible for his to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States own actions, they cannot be imposed upon him by others. This with regard to certain aspects of the discipline of the canon. At the time approach has been the consistent authoritative understanding of writing, it is understood that other Conferences of Bishops are in of the Holy See and must be equitably applied so as to ensure the process of applying for the same derogation. [In respect of delicts preservation of the rights of all concerned. against a minor below the age of 18 years that are reserved to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Sacramentorum sanctitatis Wisdom as the observance of canonical norms tutela of 30 April 2001 states the prescription as commencing from the day on which the minor completes the eighteenth year of age (Article There is no question but that there is a lot of ferment in the 5#2) (AAS93:737-739). (Ed.)] present moment of history with regard to human rights, and 9 Quaevis actio extinguitur praescriptione ad normam iuris aliove the canonical world is not uninvolved in this same ferment. legitimo modo .... The balancing of the rights of individuals and of those of the 10 Leges quae poenam statuunt aut liberum iurium exercitium coarctant common good is a task that calls for Solomon’s wisdom at aut exceptionem a lege continent, strictae subsunt interpretationi. times. The issues involved go far beyond mere canonical or 11 Per decretum irrogari vel declarari non possunt peonae perpetuae judicial understandings, in their “hydra-headed” ramifications. .... Difficulties abound, and without question, much dust is in 12 ... iudex...perpetuas autem poenas irrogare non potest. the air. In such an existential situation ... we must follow our 13 Antequam decretum singulare ferat, auctoritas necessarias notitias et tried and trusted legal procedures, difficult as this may be, probationes exquirat, atque, quantum fieri potest, eos audiat quorum in order to get us out of the tailspin conditions in which we iura laedi possint. may find ourselves and get back on course. Adjustments may 14 #3. Responsum negativum praesumptum non eximit competentem be necessary in order to do this. This is to be expected. But, auctoritatem ab obligatione decretum ferendi, immo et damnum forte adjustment is one thing, deviation from the course set is quite illatum, ad normam can. 128, reparandi. another. 15 #2. L’esame dei ricorsi deve concludersi entro i termini prescritti dal can. 57 del Codice di Diritto Canonico e dal can. 1518 del Codice Salus animarum dei Canoni delle Chiese Orientali; qualora il ricorso esiga un esame più approfondito, si avverta il ricorrente del tempo di proroga e delle If we truly believe that the instruments we have are calibrated motivazioni che l’hanno causata. by Scripture and Tradition – that is, Revelation – then proper use of these instruments is a means of mediating our values to contemporary society. Human rights, in the true sense of Editor’s note: There was some reservation about the need to the term, are at the core of what we are about; the righting, modify in the immediate circumstances the section of the rights where possible, of injustice is our task also; reconciliation of clergy and seminarians in respect of psychological testing. and forgiveness may not be written out of the work in which Indications in the press of the content of the Instruction forthcoming we are involved. This multifaceted approach to humanity from the Congregation for Catholic Education – the publication and conflicted human behaviour may not always ensure good of which Pope Benedict XVI is reported to have authorised “media moments”, “sound bytes” or even understanding on – appear to be along lines consistent with what is here presented the part of all. At the end of the day, such things are relatively (and consistent with what was argued in the May 2004 issue of unimportant, if the authentic good of human beings is served. The Priest). (Ed.) And that, after all, is what we believe the salus animarum is * Rev. Monsignor James Anthony Mc Daid was born in all about. Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland. He is a graduate of the Pontifical Lateran University in Philosophy and Theology and also Notes: a Doctor of Canon Law of the same University. In 1975 he was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado, USA. 1 Leges civiles ad quas ius Ecclesiae remittit, in iure canonico iisdem He has served in various pastoral assignments in the Archdiocese cum effectibus serventur, quatenus iure divino non sint contrariae et of Denver. He also served in the Metropolitan Tribunal since his nisi aliud iure canonico caveatur. ordination. He has been Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Denver 2 Christifidelibus ius est, ne poenis canonicis nisi ad normam legis and has also held the post of Judicial Vicar of the Provincial Court plectantur. of Appeals for Marriage Cases for the Province of Denver. He is 3 Codex, utpote cum sit primarium documentum legiferum Ecclesiae, now an Official at the Congregation for the Clergy, Vatican City, innixum in hereditate iuridica et legifera Revelationis atque Traditionis, and a Commissioner for the dispensation from the obligations pernecessarium instrumentum consendum est...ut secundum iustitiam of Holy Orders and a Defender of the Bond for “ratum et non in caritate innixam mutuae christifidelium necessitudines componantur, consummatum” cases at the Congregation for Divine Worship and singulorum iuribus intuto positis atque definitis... the Discipline of the Sacraments.

November 2005 28 booklet gives the substantial content of the faith and the sacrament in On Catechising Children a format well-suited to late-primary-age children. While the children were introduced to this booklet, the parents in an adjoining venue were Father Paul-Anthony McGavin “walked through it”, and their rights and responsibilities for the faith A common theme formation of their children reinforced by Sister Mary Augustine OP. Both parents and children became enthusiastic about this book, as it It is common for priests to speak despairingly on the topic of proved an excellent learning tool for children and an excellent and catechising children. Canon law assigns catechesis to the Parish Priest enjoyable teaching and learning tool for parents as they progressed apointed by the Bishop. But those appointed to centralised agencies of through the booklet with their children. dioceses will usually assume that the bishop has appointed them! And Parish Pastoral Council members will usually assume that someone appointed to a diocesan office by the bishop necessarily has diocese- wide authority. Parish Priests become like “branch managers” under the scrutiny of and subject to these “authorities” – even where the “authority” may have less practical cathechical experience or no more practical catechetical experience than the Parish Priest (and where they usually have less theological formation, especially reliable theological formation, than the Parish Priest)! And school Religious Education Coordinators (RECs) will usuaully assume that they are appointed as Director of Religious Education for the Parish ... etc. And so a system develops where it is common for pastors to relinquish their responsibilities as “teachers of the faith”, including teaching the faith to children, and to confine themselves to Sunday homiletics, while usually continuing to lament this diminishing situation and recite the scandals perpetrated by the “experts”.

Children deprived of catechesis The scandals include such things as children being prepared for First Sunday classes. The third keynote component was weekly program Holy Communion with a session devoted to viewing a video produced classes occuring not “after school”, but after holy Mass on Sundays. by a diocese noted for its heterdoxy that treats the Body of Christ as The seriousness of sustained practice of the faith was thus reinforced “special bread”; children being introduced to the Eucharistic clebration as a practical component of the program. with the understanding of “celebration” as akin to a party! (even the Oxford English Dictionary has a understanding of “celebration” that does not do violence to its Catholic liturgical usage), etc. Children are encouraged to dress-down for sacramental celebrations, or else to assume poncho-like unisex albs, and to wave around their hands to a song such as “Lay your hands gently upon us!” during the episcopal imposition of Confirmation (with no clarification that the subject “your” is singular, not plural, and that it is not “us” who are laying hands upon “us”), etc., etc. No wonder that so often so little seems to be enduring from the stages of the sacramental programs!

Remedy This year, circumstances combined with prior preparations for me as pastor to steer the parish sacramental program in a much more satisfactory direction that accords with my canonical rights and responsibilities. I briefly outline what was done in respect of 2005 Confirmation preparation.

Parish-based, family-based program. This was assisted by the formal Making the day special! Finally, the Confirmation day itself was very position in my diocese that sacramental programs be parish-based and special (as the children’s beautiful dress and deportment showed, and family-based (rather than school-based). as much helped by the celebrating bishop, the Military Ordinary for Serious and block program start. The Confirmation program was Australia (see second photo in the church)). And of course the last commenced by a week-end program run by visiting Conventual element – a party afterwards – was not lacking! (see last photo). This Dominican religious sisters. This was the first substantial exposure briefly gives the keynotes of a remedy as implemented this year to the of children in my parish to Religious Sisters, especially Sisters who enthusiasm of children, parents, and the bishop celebrant. maintain in external form the manner of religious life prescribed by the Church – quite apart from their adherence to teaching what the Church teaches! The first illustration, opposite, shows Sister Mary Thomas OP instructing one of the children. This program (3-5pm on Saturday, and 11am-12.30pm on Sunday) set the tone for the month- long program, and the children greatly benefited from the tone set by the Sisters, and by their being grounded in an understanding that the program was serious (not “entertainment”).

First-rate program booklet. The second keynote was the use of an excellent 28 page booklet (1 page for each day of 4 weeks!) by a parish priest of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, Rev Dr P. Murphy, Sacrament of Confirmation (available from Cardinal Newman Faith Resources Centre, PO Box 697, Merrylands NSW 2160 at $4 a copy). This

29 The Priest Sacred Time * Rev Mgr Peter J Elliott STD, EV, is Parish Priest of Malvern East in Monsignor Peter J Elliott * the Archdiocese of Melbourne and Episcopal Vicar for Education. He International recognition of Monsignor Elliott’s learned is a foundation member of ACCC, contributions to liturgical practice was signaled by his and author of Ceremonies of the appointment as an Auditor of the recent Synod of Bishops Liturgical Year (here extracted) and Ceremonies of the Modern Roman – and the benefits of insights thereby gained will be shared Rite (Ignatius Press). with participants at our 2006 Annual Conference at which Mgr Elliott will speak. Prior to these events, the Editor obtained permission from the author and his publisher to present chapter 1 of his Ceremonies of the Liturgical millennium. We need to resacralise time in a secularised Year as a contribution toward a much needed renewal in society that has abandoned our way of looking at the passing appreciation and practice of the Church’s year. An invited year. This surely challenges us to make the most of the review of the book by the Bishop of Armidale is also included powerful cycle of Christian feasts, fasts and seasons in the in this issue. (Ed.) life of diocese, parish or religious community and family, above all in the reverent celebration of the customary rites Christian temporality and ceremonies of the Roman Rite that mark out sacred times. These ceremonies are described in detail in this book Christians understand time differently from other people in order to help those who celebrate them to make them because of the liturgical year. We are drawn into a cycle better proclaim the saving mysteries of the Incarnation and that can become such a part of our lives that it determines Redemption to Christ’s faithful. The more noble, evocative how we understand the structure of each passing year. In the and vivid is the ceremonial of our seasonal liturgies, the mind of the Christian, each passing year takes shape, not so more those liturgies draw people into the mystery of Christ. much around the cycle of natural seasons, the financial or Holy Week is the supreme example. sporting year or academic semesters, but around the feasts, fasts and seasons of the Catholic Church. Without thinking Practical applications much about it, from early childhood, we gradually learn to see time itself, past, present and future, in a new way. There are many practical ways of achieving this end, such as: announcing the feasts and seasons well in advance, planning Time and eternity and preparing the ceremonies well, bringing the meaning of a day or season into preaching, catechesis and public prayer. All of the great moments of the liturgical year look back to As part of this work of resacralising time, the visual signs the salvific events of Jesus Christ, the Lord of history. Those and symbols of the seasons should be exploited more than events are made present here and now as offers of grace, ever. Yet one still enters churches where the environment yet they bear strong presentiments of eternity. Based on a for the liturgy remains neutral throughout the year. There are common human consciousness of past, present and future, no visible indications of where God’s Pilgrim People are at awareness of sacred time surely marks one of the profound this point in their journey through the Year of Grace. Look differences between a Christian and a secularised person around the church. The bare altar suggests that this might today. Before reflecting on the past, present and future be Good Friday, while a mountain of flowers, left over from dimensions of the liturgical year, it is important to understand a wedding, tells us that it could just as well be Easter Day. the challenge we face in a secularised society. Even the celebration of the liturgy only faintly reflects the Resacralising time day or season, perhaps in the color of vestments, and the result is monotony. There is no place for monotony, however, Sacred time is an instrument for catechesis and evangelisation. in the rich texture of Christian life and worship. The missionary monks who evangelised northern Europe knew that well when they transformed and adapted the We are carried forward and freed from the mundane through existing pagan time cycles. For example, they noted how the the mystery and splendour of Catholic worship. The secular natural season of spring coincided with the Christian season year may be rather bland. Any variety it may have is derived of catechesis and penance leading to Easter, with the result from a few civil or national holidays or commercialised that it became known among Anglo Saxon people simply versions of religious celebrations, such as Christmas, or as “Lenthen”, “Spring”. This is the source of our English frankly commercial ventures, such as Mothers’ Day. But word “Lent”, rather than the expression “Forty Days” the Christian year has its own inner vitality. It does not (Quadragesima) that is still used around the Mediterranean. need to be propped up by civil celebrations. Where these are Lent is a spiritual springtime of growth and new life. Another customarily observed with Christian rites, they cannot be example is the way the date of Christ’s birth replaced the allowed to intrude into the order of the liturgy of the Church; pagan celebration of the winter solstice, celebrated on otherwise we can lose sight of the priority of sacred time. December 25 in ancient Rome. Time itself was “baptised” as new peoples entered the Church. From “chronos” to “kairos” The genius of the liturgical year is the way it reminds us that Marking sacred time in ritual celebration time was transformed when the Divine Word became flesh. We face a rather different challenge in the third Christian In that mystery of the Incarnation we may perceive that, in a November 2005 30 sense, the Word became time. To put it another way, in Christ original Christian holy day. Calculated in different ways so time takes on a sacramental dimension. The liturgical year as to coincide with the Jewish Passover, the date of Easter bears this sacramental quality of memorial, actuation and became the subject of a fierce and divisive debate among prophecy. Time becomes a re-enactment of Christ’s saving Christians. The first round was fought between Asian events, his being born in our flesh, his dying and rising for Christians and the other Churches in the second and third us in that human flesh. Time thus becomes a pressing sign centuries. Later, when Roman and Celtic Christians came of salvation, the “day of the Lord”, his ever-present “hour of together, they faced the same differences, and the debate salvation”, the kairos, kairov~. Time on earth then becomes was taken up again. We find it difficult to understand the our pilgrimage through and beyond death towards the future rancor and intensity of these early Christian arguments about Kingdom. The liturgical year is best understood both in its sacred time. Saint Paul had already rejected a scrupulous origins and current form in the way we experience time: in preoccupation with the subtleties of the Jewish religious the light of the past, present and future. calendar (cf. Galatians 4:10, 11; Colossians 2:16), but this was something quite different. Remembering the past Orienting memory To recall the past is a universal human experience. We naturally celebrate past events in our own lives, beginning For our forebears in the faith, it was very important to get with birthdays. In Christian families, we recall anniversaries the memories right. This was part of a conserving mentality of marriage, ordination, religious profession and death, and that sought to hand on and keep the apostolic tradition in its in some cultures the name days of children or adults. In the pristine purity. This applied whether Christians wanted to life of a city, nation or race, great events are remembered and retain continuity with some elements in the Jewish calendar, celebrated. This natural human focus on a “great event” was such as the Passover and Pentecost, or whether they sought to the cause and beginning of the development of the liturgical distance themselves from Judaism, as in Syria. The second- year. Just as the Passover in Egypt was the key to the Jewish century debates over the correct date of Easter reflect some calendar, so the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, at the time of that tension, but more importantly they bear witness to of Passover probably in a.d. 29, was the cause and beginning the innate conservatism of early Christians. The predominant of Christianity, Christians and the Church. practice was to celebrate Easter on the Sunday following the first full moon of springtime. But this collided with a Jewish to Christian week minority tradition in Asia Minor, allegedly derived from Saint John. Here Easter was celebrated on the fourteenth he Christian calendar found its origins in Israel and the day of the first full moon of springtime, the fourteenth of Jewish seven-day week. The “seventh day”, the Sabbath, Nisan. Putting aside the arguments of either party, that the sanctified the whole Jewish week, with Monday and issue was taken so seriously tells us much of the mind of Thursday as two associated days of fasting among devout Christians in the imperial Roman age. Choosing the “right” Jews at the time of Christ. So the Pharisee could say, “I fast times to celebrate or fast was important to our forebears twice a week” (Luke 18:12). In apostolic times, Christians in the faith. They regarded the calendar itself as a way of replaced the Sabbath with Sunday, the first day of the week, holding onto and passing on the apostolic tradition. Sacred when Jesus Christ rose from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians time offered them a kind of “orthopraxis” that sustained 15:2; Acts 20:7; and “the day of the Lord” in Revelation their orthodoxy. 1:10), although some Christians still retained an observance of the Sabbath alongside Sunday. The early Christians also Power and precision of memory retained two days of fasting, Wednesday and Friday (cf. The Didache, 8). Later, in the West, Saturday became a fast This distant debate reminds us that we may fail to appreciate day. The Christian celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday the power and precision of memory in the ancient world. This was often preceded by vigils, in the night or at daybreak, failure is only too evident in those scriptural critics who are a form of worship partly influenced by Jewish domestic or sceptical about the historical roots of our faith, above all the synagogue prayer. In daily synagogue prayer we find the historicity of events recorded in the Gospels. But ours is a roots of the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours. historical religion, and the historical basis of Christianity is reflected in the early developments of the sacred calendar New Passover that became our liturgical year. The first Christians knew what some of us tend to forget, that Christianity stands or However, the weekly Sunday remembrance of the saving falls on the reality of specific events that occurred in the event of Easter was soon accompanied by a more solemn first century. Close to those events, influenced by disciples annual recalling of the Resurrection. This was the new of the first witnesses, they passed on those unique revelatory Passover of the new Israel, Easter Sunday. In preparation moments within the community of the Church, not only in for Easter, the days of Holy Week recalled the events of Scripture and tradition, in doctrines and sacraments, but Christs Passion through prayer and preaching. By the fourth in the way they celebrated times and seasons. Through century, a variety of ceremonies and customs had developed the temporal cycle they relived and proclaimed the saving to celebrate Holy Week. Through the recollections of the events of the Lord. pilgrim lady Egeria, we are able to see how the ”Great Week” was observed in Jerusalem at the end of the fourth Memorial century. Easter is the “mother of all the Christian feasts”, not only because it is the supreme celebration of the Lord, Anamnesis, memorial, is the Jewish principle behind this but also because it is regarded as the “Great Sunday”, the Christian celebration of time, derived as it is in part from

31 The Priest the calendar of Israel. Memorial has been developed well heroes of the Church who now share in the eternal Easter in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1362#72), that that we can enter through anamnesis. is, in terms of the “great memorial” of the Holy Eucharist. What is remembered is not merely celebrated, but re-lived The present offer of grace, the immanence of God or made present again, re-presented or re-played. This is a key to Catholic teaching on how the Eucharistic Sacrifice The “Year of Grace” reflects the kairos of the Lord, his is the re-presentation of the Paschal Mystery, the Cross “chosen time”. The kairos is God’s ever-present offer of and Resurrection. But it also shows us how our liturgical grace to us in chosen moments of time, above all in the year is much more than a series of anniversaries. Through sacraments. Jesus Christ, ”the same yesterday and today and anamnesis, the passing days and months become the Year for ever” is God’s now. The liturgical year thus suggests the of Grace. Events that happened in time are now extended sovereignty of the grace of Christ. We say that we “follow” in sacrifice and sacrament throughout one recurring year or “observe” the liturgical year, but this Year of Grace of our time. The prescribed ceremonies for Holy Week also carries us along. Once we enter it faithfully we must and the Easter Triduum, especially the Easter Vigil, are the allow it to determine the shape of our daily lives. It sets up clearest examples of anamnesis focused on the solemn rites a series of “appointments” with the Lord. We know there of Christian Initiation and the Eucharist. The timing and are set days, moments and occasions when he expects us. process of preparing people for sacramental incorporation Within this framework of obligation, duty and covenant, we into the Church was determined in part by the celebration are part of something greater than ourselves. We can detect of Easter, regarded as the right moment to incorporate a sense of being sustained or borne forward by the power converts into the saving grace of the risen Christ. But the and pace of a sacred cycle that is beyond our control. It will catechumenate also partly influenced the development of run its course whether we like it or not. This should give the calendar, as a Lenten fast for all believers took shape as us an awareness of the divine dimension of the liturgical well as the catechumenal Advent that emerged in Gaul. The year as an expression of the power and authority of Jesus, catechumens were brought into the memory of the Church who is the Lord of history. As the blessing of the Paschal through observing the sacred times of the community of candle recalls: “All time belongs to him and all the ages.” faith. Conversion meant entering a new structure of time. The sacred cycle thus becomes a sacrament of God’s time. Salvation history is among us here and now. This time is Nativity his offer of grace.

By the late fourth century, the basic shape of our liturgical Sacred time year was well established. The birth of Christ was celebrated on December 25 in the West and January 6 in the East, Considered from one aspect this awareness of time can be although the precise origins of these dates remain a matter for intimidating. But it should be interpreted in the perspective academic speculation. A Lenten fast was observed, varying of a spirituality of divine Providence. Awareness that “my in length and intensity from place to place. Holy Week or time” rests in God’s hands is a call to trust, to faith, to letting Great Week was a time of prayer and fasting leading to the go of self. The Jesuit director Jean-Pierre de Caussade supreme celebration, Easter Day, which was extended to the proposed this as a “self-abandonment to divine providence”. fifty days of Easter culminating with the feast of Pentecost, Once time is recognised as salvation history, once each the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Within a relatively short passing day or week is seen as sacred time, it is easier for time the season of Advent was added to this basic calendar us to review our relationship with the Lord of time and to in Rome. Days of fasting, such as the Ember Days, days let time pass into his hands. associated with a papal Mass celebrated at specific stational Sacred time also gives us a strong sense of being members churches, vigils, and octaves gradually entered the Roman of the Church. I have already observed how our sense of calendar as ways for the faithful to prepare for or extend time is reshaped by the subtle catechesis of each liturgical the celebration of great feasts. But the whole annual cycle year. We become conscious of this especially when we are encapsulated salvation history. Through festival and fast, called to teach the faith to children and young people. Any believers could relive and enter the events of the Savior, perusal of catechetical texts shows the pedagogical value celebrated and made present in the liturgy and sacraments. of liturgical time. The same catechetical opportunities are available to the clergy in preaching and teaching during the Santoral cycle liturgy, above all in drawing out the meaning of the major The cycle of saints’ days represents a second level of this rites and ceremonies described in this article (book). form of anamnesis. It would be wrong to imagine that saints’ days were later medieval additions to a primitive From temporal to sacral Easter-centered liturgical year. Keeping careful record of the The liturgical year is a means of evangelisation. Stories of days when martyrs died and celebrating these anniversaries conversion often include references to Christian feast days goes back to the second century. Well before the imperial that were key moments in the personal process. A critical persecutions ceased, in East and West there were lists of the event may have begun with an invitation to enter a totally anniversaries of the martyrs, the basic martyrologies. This unfamiliar experience. Someone is taken to Christmas early development also set up the distinction that continues midnight Mass in a Catholic church, and that experience to our times between universal or regional calendars and ultimately leads to Catholic faith. But returning to the faith local calendars. The memory of the Universal Church is also made easier through sacred time. Even the most includes the memories of particular Churches gathered in casual members of the Church recall their Catholic identity one communion. The calendars embrace all the saints and

November 2005 32 when the time comes around each year for the observance of going back to the beginning and starting all over again. of Christmas and Easter. On those days, many fallen-away Indeed a relentless understanding of time as repetitive Catholics know that the Lord awaits them, and they know cycles is pagan rather than Christian. Our Judaeo-Christian where he waits, even if they do not feel inclined to respond understanding of time is teleological, that is, as progressing to his invitation. But the liturgical year and its vivid rites towards a goal, an end – to God. gently open other doors for them to return to the life of grace. Anyone can accept the blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday. In considering the teleological way we view the flow of time, The greatest sinner can come forward to venerate the cross we should read the “signs of the times” in the twenty-first on Good Friday. These simple acts of penance pave the way century and sharpen our perception of the current erosion to a good confession, that is, the recovery of the grace of of faith and reason. As the era of old ideologies recedes, Baptism that leads to the altar of the Eucharist. people in our complex societies are taking up a variety of contrasting world views, for example “post-modern” forms The evangelical dimension of the Year of Grace is one of irrationalism are being challenged by a revived rationalist rationale behind the two major seasons of preparation and scientism. Either of these trends may be accompanied by an conversion, Advent and Lent. As already noted, Advent underlying secularist ideology of dogmatic individualism, originated in the third century in Gaul, where it was an which justifies gross selfishness. But it is interesting to reflect alternative time for preparing catechumens for Baptism, how these world views all include a misunderstanding of given on 6 January, the Epiphany. In Rome this form of the meaning and purpose [end, tevlo~] of time. Advent became a season of preparation for the feasts of Christmas and the Epiphany. Today we maintain the Countering “New Age” nihilism emphasis of the Roman tradition, but the anticipation of the Incarnation calls for interior preparation and conversion. It is obvious to Christians that post-modernism in various forms of secularism is nihilism. Nothing is valued. Nothing Lenten observance has inherent meaning. The human person has no value, no inherent dignity or rights. We are lost in an indifferent Testimony to the penitential observance of Lent is found in process of time where we do not matter, where life is seen Saint Athanasius and other Fathers, and the forty days was as one experience following another in a meaningless well established by the fourth century, although Sundays succession of variable sensations. By contrast, the irrational were counted as part of this cycle. Ash Wednesday and the neo-paganism of the “new age” includes the revival of three days that follow it were added later so that the forty a cyclic understanding of reality but also another basic days could be weekdays because Sunday is never a day for misunderstanding of reality. In a cyclic understanding of fasting. The seasons of penance and preparation remind us time and reality the error of reincarnation flourishes, and that God’s past events are present in our events, refashioning with it the dignity, value and uniqueness of the human our lives in the continuous process of conversion to person are eroded. The rise of the “new age” phenomenon Christ. may not be merely a passing phase, as we might have imagined some years ago. It bears within it a fatalism and a The Divine future determinism that undermine moral responsibility and thus create indifference. The “new age” is as ethically bankrupt The future orientation of the liturgical year is best appreciated as secularist individualism. Its forms and disciplines are in the light of pastoral opportunities. The attentive celebrant soft and permissive. It tolerates evil and can even conjure of the liturgy and sacraments assists the faithful to celebrate it up. Christian time by remembering past events that embody a saving offer of grace here and now. But the future offers Time and choice another possibility for his pastoral use of time. He should encourage his people to look forward, through and beyond Christianity offers an alternative vision of the future in the transitory moments of this life, to the telos [tevlo~], to terms not only of a progress towards a goal but of a choice. the finality and purpose of it all. As a pastor, he is leading There will be a point of resolution for my past, a moment his people towards the eschaton, e]scaton, to the goal and of judgment. This is brought to us in the apocalyptic quality beatific fulfillment of our journey through time to eternity. of the liturgical year, which bears the message “The Lord is That is the eschatological meaning of the annual cycles coming again”. Faced with the prospect that “he will come of Christian seasons and celebrations. It is also the reason again to judge the living and the dead”, we are reminded Christians have traditionally turned to pray towards the East, of a series of challenging truths revealed in Jesus Christ: where the dawn of Christ lights this world in anticipation We are responsible beings; our actions in time have eternal of his eternal Day. Like liturgical orientation, the Church repercussions; each of us is taken seriously by a personal year points beyond itself. It is never an end in itself. It God who loves us; our life span and all time bear his constantly speaks of eternity. Each year recapitulates the purpose. Therefore we will be called to give an account of Christian’s journey towards heaven. Each year is another our temporal lives when we return to our Creator. dawn containing the eternal Day. Time and death Telos Eternal life thus raises the question of the end of our allotted The liturgical year is eschatological in a basic sense because time or the meaning of death. In this regard, November it reveals how reality moves forward in a specific way. The is an important month in the liturgical year, offering history of the universe is not merely a series of great cycles, opportunities for catechesis and preaching. While All Souls’

33 The Priest Day is described as the “commemoration of all the faithful Review of departed”, it is not so much an occasion for looking back over the lives of dead people as a challenge to look forward Rev Mgr Peter J Elliott to where they– and we – are going. Praying for the souls in purgatory brings with it a sense of the future, our future, Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year even if this is only the passing thought, “But will someone (Ignatius Press, San Francisco 2002 Price: $33) remember me when I die and need prayers?” Purgatory also seems to be a kind of halfway house between this life and the next, that is, between time and eternity. Speculative Bishop Luc Matthys theology raises the question of a kind of “time” in purgatory Bishop of Armidale because it is a merciful process, or a progress into what C. S. Lewis called “deep heaven”. Purgatory is surely the most This book has been marketed by Ignatius Press since 2002, intensely teleological “moment” in the future that awaits us and follows the 1995 publication of Ceremonies of the beyond the death we all must experience. Modern Rite by the same author. He hopes to present “a further volume in this series” dealing with the ceremonies of the sacraments and funerals. Time and the “making all things new” Though Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year (CLY) obviously Prayer for the dead is a dimension of our faith in the goes over rubrics it would be an error to think that rubrics Communion of Saints that we profess in the Apostles’ predominate. After all rubrics make the “best practice” Creed. This Communion is an understanding of the Church in liturgical celebrations as well as letting the mysteries that helps us look beyond time to another great truth we celebrated shine through. At the recent Synod of Bishops proclaim in the Nicene Creed, “the resurrection of the in Rome on The Eucharist the “ars celebrantis” received body and life everlasting”. The Communion of Saints runs frequent mention. Rubrics are of assistance here. through the liturgical year in the “sanctoral cycle” of familiar solemnities, feasts, memorials and commemorations in honor Therefore make sure that you first read the Introduc- of saints, above all those associated with Our Blessed Lady, tion (pp 1-15) which gives the correct liturgical setting the Queen of Saints. There is a catechetical or homiletic for any celebration [see in this issue. (Ed.)]. The author value in marking these saints’ days and setting up their lives writes on “Resacralising Time”, “Remembering the Past”, as good examples of virtue and cooperation with grace. But “The Present Offer of Grace”, “The Divine Future”. He as we seek their intercession we also reinforce the sense of describes the Liturgical Year as “the powerful cycle of being surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses”. They point Christian feasts, feast and seasons”. Again, “The more to the future as they encourage us in our journey towards noble, evocative and vivid is the ceremonial of our sea- eternity. They remind us what that journey will entail in sonal liturgies, the more those liturgies draw people into terms of participating in the renewal of the whole cosmos, the mystery of Christ”. the general resurrection of the dead and restoration of all things in Christ. The saints are already “there”, in eternity, A last example from the introduction, welcoming us into the divine future. The future orientation of the liturgical year is best appreciated in the light of pastoral opportunities. The attentive celebrant Time and eternity of the liturgy and sacraments assists the faithful to celebrate Christian time by remembering past events that embody a As the millennium celebrations unfolded and ushered in saving offer of grace here and now. But the future offers January 1, a.d. 2000, a strange incident occurred in Australia. another possibility for his pastoral use of time. He should It was seen on television by millions all around the world, encourage his people to look forward, through and beyond but it was not widely comprehended. The famous Sydney the transitory moments of life to the finality of and purpose of Harbour Bridge was being used as the framework for a it all, that is, the eschatological meaning of the annual cycles spectacular display of fireworks. Suddenly, the colors faded, of Christian seasons and celebration. and in blazing white letters the fireworks formed one word: Having understood what the liturgical year means and Eternity. Everyone in that city knew what it meant, not how it aids our liturgical participation, the author takes theologically of course, but at least as a fragment of their each of the liturgical occasions and proposes how the local history. Many years ago a somewhat eccentric man was occasion can be most suitably celebrated, from the converted to Christianity. He spent the rest of his life on a celebrant’s point of view as well as minsters/servers simple mission – scrawling that word Eternity on the walls assisting, the choir, and other participants. Lent, for of his city. He wanted to remind people, to make them face example, is different from the Easter and other seasons. God’s present moment, to point them beyond time to the In country churches it may not be easy to get a “team” real future. Ultimately that is what the liturgical year does. together, nor may other requirements for a full celebra- It transforms our time into a sacrament of eternity. tion be available. Let it be spur for training more people Christ yesterday and today, for “active participation”. the beginning and the end, CLY ends with a large bibliography and Church documents Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to him on which the author has relied. I recommend CLY to any and all the ages. celebrant who seeks to dignify liturgical celebrations with (Blessing and Preparation of the Paschal Candle, Easter Liturgy) the mind of the Church.

November 2005 34 their luggage. Many people are wheeling bags behind them Continued from page 9 as they make the twelve-hour march. Suffice it to say that we awoke today in sadness without a pope, but it awoke in joy, a are witnessing something totally unprecedented in history. joy which I know will only increase as we begin to appreciate Yes, there have been countless papal funerals before, but and fathom the greatness and depth and powerful spiritual this is going far beyond a funeral and becoming an historical presence of our new intercessor, John Paul the Great. event of unequalled magnitude. An older priest I heard from today said that there is absolutely no way to compare what is Octave of Easter transpiring with the funerals of either John XXIII or Paul VI. Normally, historically, on the day after the death of a pope John Paul II, the actor, has in death taken the world stage in the Church celebrates a Requiem Mass, wearing colors of a way even he may not have foreseen. mourning and praying the prayers of the dead. John Paul, Mass at the Altar of the Chair ever one to break with protocol, has done something different. His death on the vigil of the feast he instituted meant that This morning and again this evening a memorial Mass was the Church had no choice this morning but to awake, put held at the “Altar of the Chair,” designed by Bernini in the 16th on the golden vestments of the Resurrection, and celebrate century and located at the very back of the basilica beneath the Octave of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, singing “Gloria the famous “Holy Spirit window.” It was standing room only in excelsis Deo” and dismissing the faithful at Mass with a in the enormous sanctuary. At 10.30am approximately 400 double Alleluia! priests concelebrated Mass with five bishops for the repose of the Holy Father’s soul. The Italian bishop who preached John Paul began Divine Mercy Sunday with Mass and Viaticum gave a powerful and spirit-filled exhortation to imitate the in the Papal Apartments. He is ending it in the company of Holy Father’s forgiveness of others in our daily lives, citing the Risen Lord, Our Lady of Fatima, and Saint Faustina. the example of John Paul’s forgiving Ali Agca, his would-be How could the Church not celebrate, even as it mourns? It is assassin, and meeting with him in his prison cell in 1982. liturgically a day of unbridled joy in the Resurrection of Jesus (I heard that today that Ali Agca petitioned the Turkish Christ who is Mercy Incarnate. And that is exactly the way government to be allowed to attend the funeral but was refused John Paul the Great wants it to be. because he is still serving his prison sentence.) I must say that “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, while simply being in Rome at this time is overwhelming, the for his mercy endures forever.” added unspeakable privilege of being a priest in Rome right now goes beyond my capacity to express. The fact that we Writing on Wednesday 6 April 2005, Rome were able to walk into a back entrance to St Peter’s Basilica Crowds clamouring to pay homage at 9:30 this morning, vest in the sacristy, and process out past the Pope’s body to celebrate Mass, while others waited all It is impossible to describe the conditions in this city. As I night to get in the church for a few minutes at most has not write, helicopters are hovering overhead, traffic is backed up been lost on me. Several of us priests talked on the way in down the entire Corso Vittorio Emmanuele leading through about the extraordinary privilege we are being given and the the heart of the city towards the Vatican, and it is said that up corresponding responsibility we have to share what we are to 600,000 people are in line to view the body of John Paul witnessing with others for the rest of our lives (one of the II, with well over a million having already viewed it. I just main reasons I am writing!). returned from the Via della Conciliazione, which runs from St Peter’s Square to the Tiber, and witnessed the unbelievable Getting to the Bronze Doors! sight of three different lines converging, each one containing Now I must tell the story of what for me was the most tens of thousands of people. Two of the lines go over the extraordinary moment thus far in a week of extraordinary bridge, across the river, and then along the banks of the Tiber moments, the transfer of the Pope’s body from the Apostolic as far as the eye can see. Water bottles are stacked up by the Palace to St Peter’s Basilica. On Monday afternoon, I had just side of the road by the thousands and were being distributed returned home from lunch, and thought I was going to have a in a very disorganised way, in the hot afternoon sun. The few minutes for a much-needed nap, when a quick knock came line moves in stages and is now said to be over twelve hours on the door of my room, and two of the priests who lived with long. All this to walk past the Holy Father’s body for a few me told me that the rumour was out that all priests were invited seconds at the most. I was in the basilica at noon today for a to take part in the procession accompanying the Pope’s body at memorial Mass offered for the Pope and was deeply moved 5pm. It was 3.15pm and we were supposed to be at the famous by the devotion and prayerfulness of the pilgrims who were “Bronze Doors” designed by Michelangelo at 4.30pm wearing coming into the church. Their exhaustion was also evident as cassock and surplice. None of us had said Mass yet that day I prayed at the side altar of St Gregory the Great, dozens of and knew that the evening was going to be unpredictable, so people came and collapsed on the steps near the altar after we decided to say Mass first and then trust Divine Providence hours in the line. to get us down to the Vatican through the colossal traffic jam Last night, as I left the area around St Peter’s Square around at the Tiber. We headed to our little private Mass chapel at the midnight, I hopped on a bus heading away from the Vatican Casa Santa Maria and celebrated the Mass for the Solemnity towards the main train station, Roma Termini. As we went of the Annunciation, transferred from 25 March this year away from St Peter’s we passed a bus about every 20 to 30 because it fell on Good Friday. I asked Our Lady to help me yards, each one jammed full of pilgrims. I counted nearly 40 to be, with the Pope, Totus Tuus, “totally yours,” and entrusted buses going the other way during my five minute bus ride the rest of the day to her maternal care. home. This was at midnight! The people are arriving at Termini After Mass and a quick thanksgiving, we dashed out the door station, getting immediately on a bus, and getting in line with

35 The Priest and grabbed the first taxi we saw and shouted, “Vaticano!” for the numerous gifts which he has bestowed upon the to the driver. We headed into a sea of traffic, and for nearly Christian people through his servant Pope John Paul, and 10 minutes we went nowhere. It was now nearly 4.15pm and we implore him that he would graciously and mercifully grant to the Supreme Pontiff a perpetual seat in the kingdom we knew we were pushing our luck for getting to the Bronze of heaven, and the consolation of supernatural hope to the Doors by 4.30.pm At one point we nearly got out of the cab pontifical family, God’s holy people who live in Rome and and started walking due to the bumper-to-bumper traffic. As to the Christian faithful throughout the world. [Then, after we sat at a red light, I looked out the left-hand window and a moment of silence:] Look kindly, O Lord, upon the life saw Cardinal Ruini, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome, and work of your servant, our Pope, John Paul the Second; in the back seat of the car next to me. He looked up and the accept him into your house of perpetual light and peace and three of us waved to him. He nodded in return, then the light grant to your faithful people that they would eagerly follow turned green and his driver sped off behind a police escort. his footsteps in giving testimony to the Gospel of Christ. Behind Cardinal Ruini’s car were three more cars carrying You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. a total of seven cardinals! We decided we couldn’t be that Profound and beautiful words, asking God to give the Pope, late if the cardinals were still rushing back to the Vatican for who sat for a time on the Chair of Peter on earth, a perpetual the procession, but we had no police escort and the clock chair or seat in heaven. Asking that as he leaves his house was ticking. When we got about a mile from the Vatican, (the Papal Apartments where he lived and worked) he will we encountered a new obstacle, a roadblock which was set be accepted into the house of heaven, and especially praying up to divert all traffic to the north and around the bridge for the Church of Rome and the Papal household, grieving which goes directly to the Vatican. The three of us rolled at the loss of their head, and for the universal Church. the window down, shouted, “per la processione!” to the two Then the deacon chanted, “Let us go in peace,” and we officers, and they proceeded to wave us past the roadblock responded, “In the name of Christ. Amen.” And thus the and down the empty Corso Vittorio Emmanuele straight procession began. towards the Vatican! We were going to make it! The bridge across the Tiber was completely closed, so we hopped out, The procession paid the driver, and dashed across the bridge. A cameraman There was never a moment when we could actually see the (there are cameramen everywhere you go around St Peter’s) entire procession. In fact, I have no idea what was at the front started snapping photos of the three of us in cassocks running of the procession. But we slowly began to move as the choir across the bridge. I hope they turned out for him! Such is began chanting Psalm 23 and then Psalm 51 in Latin, with the story of what is definitely the most memorable taxi ride the antiphon repeated over and over, “The bones that were I have ever had. crushed shall be exalted by the Lord.” The melody was in a haunting minor key that captured the grief and also solemn In a few minutes we made it to the Bronze Doors, were nature of this moment in a way that only Gregorian chant saluted by the Swiss guards, and directed up to a “waiting could. We went through two long painted hallways, then room” on the second floor, a huge 16th-century Renaissance down an arched flight of stairs, through another corridor, hall with painted walls depicting different stories from the down another flight of stairs, which turned to the left, and Old Testament. There were at least 2000 priests present. I as I rounded the corner I gasped. We were at the top of the will now try to explain a truly extraordinary moment that Scala Regia, designed by Michelangelo, and all the way for me has captured the beauty, history, depth, solemnity down the cavernous arched hallway to the Bronze Doors, and spiritual power of the Catholic Church more than any I a distance of almost 200 yards, there were priests as far as have ever experienced in my life. I could see. We processed four-by-four. I guess that I was Most extraordinary moment in an extraordinary week looking at between two and three thousand priests just in After forty-five minutes of waiting, the massive bell in St that moment. Down the stairs we went, step by ponderous Peter’s Square began to toll. We could hear it clearly through step, as the bell tolled with finality and the chant continued, an open window. Then the Vatican choir began chanting, in “The bones that were crushed shall be exalted by the Lord.” Latin, “I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in After nearly ten minutes, when I reached the Doors, I turned me, even if he dies, will live, and all who live and believe in back and saw priests extending far behind me. Way at the me, will never die.” The Cardinal Camerlengo, who oversees top of the stairs I could see the purple of the Monsignors and the Vatican during these days when there is no pope, began Bishops who were processing behind us, and just as we came a prayer of blessing and sprinkled the Pope’s body with out into the Square I thought I could see the first red birettas holy water (we could see none of this but only heard it by (hats) of the cardinals, who were nearly 90 in number. The microphone being broadcast in the square). The huge bell view looking back up Michelangelo’s Scala, the hundreds of tolled on every seven seconds or so. Then another prayer priests and bishops, coupled with the chant and the tolling was read which I will translate here in full. These are ancient bell, was a vision of something out of the ages. I had chills prayers filled with beauty, sorrow, and emotion at the death as we exited the doors, descended the final stairs, and turned of the Roman Pontiff: sharply to the right.

Beloved brothers and sisters, with great commotion of soul The press and silence of the crowds in the Square we now prayerfully translate the body of the Roman Pontiff John Paul the Second into the Vatican Basilica, where he so Out we came into the square, filled with 400,000 people often acted in his office as bishop of the Church which is at straining for a glimpse. The procession crossed the Square Rome and as shepherd of the universal Church. under the Obelisk of Nero before turning right again to ascend the stairs to the main doors of St Peter’s Basilica. As we descend from this house we give thanks to the Lord It looked in one sense like every other time people had

November 2005 36 gathered in those same spots to see the Popemobile coming the resurrection with a greater yearning than ever before. My by and to wave and cheer and yell. But this time there was response to seeing the Pope pass by in death was, “This is not complete silence from the people as the chanting and tolling how it is supposed to be! We are made for life!” Certainly inexorably continued. As the front of the procession came to no one knew that better than John Paul II. And if he stood the entrance to the basilica, the choir began the Litany of the in need of our prayers while he exercised his ministry here Saints. Almost at the same time, the large Jumbotron screens on earth, how much more are we called to pray for him in a on either side of the Square showed the Pope’s body coming new way now that he has gone beyond the veil, even as he into view way back at the top of the Scala Regia behind the is undoubtedly praying for us in a new way now that he is Bronze Doors. with the Lord.

Translation of the Pope’s body The procession reached the front of the basilica. The body The body was carried by eight pallbearers of the Papal was laid on the bier which had been prepared, surrounded Household with white gloves, surrounded by six Swiss by the Swiss guards standing at attention and in prayer. guards in full ceremonial dress carrying halberds, followed A brief Gospel was read from John 17:24-26. Then a few by the Papal Household: several priests and bishops as well petitions were offered and the Our Father was prayed, and as the Polish nuns who cared for Pope John Paul. Ahead the Camerlengo concluded, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O of the body was the Cardinal Camerlengo and the deacon Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in a gold and red cope of exquisitely detailed design. We in peace. Amen.” And with that a deep silence fell over the slowly began ascending the steps of the basilica toward basilica and the vigil of prayer before the Pope’s body, still the towering central doors. The Litany of the Saints is so going on as I write these words two days later, began. powerful, invoking name after name of the great ones who The vigil have gone before us in death and now share life with Christ in glory. Instead of the normal response, “Ora pro nobis” After the cardinals and bishops, all the priests were allowed (Pray for us) we sang “Ora pro eo” (Pray for him). The to come up in fours and pass before the body. I genuflected, Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels and archangels, St Joseph, made the Sign of the Cross and held onto a special Rosary St John the Baptist, and all twelve apostles were invoked which I was given by a priest at the Sanctuary of Divine one by one, and then all of the ancient Pope saints: “Sancte Mercy in Krakow, Poland, in 2003. We were not allowed to Clemens,” Ora pro eo,”Sancte Fabiane,” Ora pro eo, “Sancte stop anywhere near the body, due to the tens of thousands of Leo Magne,” Ora pro eo, “Sancte Gregori Magne,” Ora pro people waiting outside to come in (which became hundreds eo. A dozen different popes, twenty-six martyrs, and thirty- of thousands and now millions). But I found a quiet corner four other saints were invoked. As we entered the basilica, near the back of the basilica, knelt down, and bid John Paul it struck me that we were passing directly underneath the farewell. There was such a spirit of prayer and reverence in balcony where John Paul II had first been introduced to the the basilica, which has continued today even as 18,000 people world on 16 October 1978. Now he was entering the basilica per hour are passing by, which is, I think, a testament to John for the last time to rest in peace awaiting the resurrection of Paul II’s unmatched ability, even in death, to lead people to the dead. The pageantry and drama of this moment defy my encounter Jesus Christ. ability to describe, but I hope this description can give just The passing of a priest’s youth a glimpse of what it entailed. I was asked by a reporter yesterday to sum up what this event Inside the Basilica means for me personally. My response was, “My youth is On entering the basilica, all the priests peeled off to each over.” I grew up with John Paul II as the Pope, discerned side and lined the center of the nave, forming two rows on my vocation by reading his writings, heard Christ calling either side three priests deep. There was a pause as the body me through him at Denver in 1993, followed him to Paris was turned around on the front steps of the basilica for the in 1997, to Rome for the Great Jubilee 2000, to Toronto in people to view. Then each cardinal came in by one by one. I 2002, and I have lived with him for the last three years in felt such a call to pray for these men who are now entrusted Rome, often seeing him once a week at the Sunday Angelus with caring for the Church and electing the next Pope. At address in St Peter’s Square. For the rest of my life I will the back of the line of cardinals came Cardinal Sodano, remember that, when I was young, John Paul the Great Secretary of State under John Paul II, and Cardinal Ratzinger, was the Pope. It would be impossible for me to exaggerate Dean of the Sacred College who will be the celebrant of the influence he has had on my life and particularly on my Friday’s funeral. And then as the bell kept tolling and the priestly vocation. He was and is my hero. This is true for litany continued with prayers for God to have mercy on an entire generation of young clergy who accompanied his him, the body of the Pope entered the basilica. He was being body into the basilica on Monday night. My prayer at Mass welcomed by his priests who were ever so dear to his heart. beside his body today was that I would be half or even a I begged his intercession for many graces as he went by. I quarter of the priest he is. I pray that God grant that request must say that the appearance of his body was not pleasant not only for me but for all of our priests. Let us pray for (he has not been embalmed) and has served as a meditation his eternal rest, and for the whole Church, that the gift and for me on the horror of sin. We know from Scripture that Spirit of Christ which John Paul bestowed on us through the death is the result of sin. We are all of us, even Pope John Petrine ministry will continue to bear fruit in the Church for Paul, under the dominion of death because of sin, and only years and years to come. Christ in the power of his resurrection can free us from the PS. As of yet I have no idea where I will end up during the Papal Evil One. These days of mourning, falling as they do in the funeral. Any prayers to Our Lady of Czestochowa that she will put very beginning of the Easter season, are making me long for me where she wants me to be would be greatly appreciated!

37 The Priest Writing on Friday 8 April 2005, Rome days are witnesses to an event of biblical proportions, which calls us to strive more seriously to follow Christ and to Arrivederci, Giovanni Paolo proclaim to all mankind the Divine Mercy of God that has There is a steady rain falling and the streets are empty: the poured out such a flood of grace upon the whole world in very heavens are joining in the flood of tears poured out in these momentous days. this holy city on this holy day. I must tell you that I feel I have no words tonight, only tears. Today was by far the most Today’s Mass was preceded by an all-night vigil which difficult day yet. But I will try to give some thoughts and a involved the entire city of Rome. Over two million people reflection on my own experience of this day of the funeral covered the city and slept wherever they could find a patch Mass and burial of the 264th Successor of Saint Peter, Pope of ground to unroll a blanket or two, keeping watch for the John Paul the Great. morning for which we were all waiting. At 9pm last night a vigil for young people was held at the Basilica of St John It is finished! Lateran, cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. I arrivedabout Today had a finality to it that is weighing on all of us. It 9.45pm and found the entire floor of the gargantuan basilica is finished. John Paul has bid us farewell and we have covered with young students, mostly Italians between the commended him not only to the earth but also to the Mercy ages of 16 and 25. The overflow crowd (it seems at least of God and to the communion of saints of which he is now a 50,000?) spilled over into the piazza in front of the basilica, part in a new way. All through this week he was still visibly where speakers and Jumbotron screens allowed people with us: his body was on display for the veneration of the to participate in the prayer. Several young people spoke, masses in St Peter’s Basilica, and even today during the including one seminarian from the diocese of Rome who said Funeral Mass he was still physically in St Peter’s Square. that he realised that John Paul will never be “replaced,” but The crowds applauded and cheered and prayed and wept in he prayed that the cardinals will elect a new Pope who will his physical presence, as they had so many countless times follow Christ the way John Paul has done. “This is what we before. But then the final commendation came and the Pope’s young people ask of you, our bishops and priests,” the young pallbearers, the same men of the Papal Household who had seminarian said, “Follow Christ the way John Paul has done!” served as his ushers throughout his life, carried his simple The youth erupted in applause and then began chanting wooden coffin from its place in front of the altar towards “Giovanni Paolo” as they had done so often before. the great bronze doors of the basilica which will be John But then a new chant slowly began to fill the basilica: Santo!“ Paul’s final resting place. The papal choir boys chanted the (clap, clap, clap) Santo!” An almost universal acclamation Magnificat, Mary’s hymn of praise from St Luke’s Gospel has been heard from the People of God this week in the chapter 1, concluding with a final “Glory be to the Father Eternal City: that John Paul II is a saint! It was a cry that was and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,” and as they did so, repeated several times today in the square, along with huge the pallbearers turned the coffin around for a final moment banners in the square reading, “Santo Subito,” or “Sainthood of veneration by the faithful. The crowd erupted in applause, Soon.” At one point Cardinal Ratzinger had to wait several as it had several times throughout the Mass, and after a minutes while this cry of “Santo!” flooded the square before long moment, as the organ and choir rang out a fanfare of he could continue with the prayers of commendation. acclamation, the pallbearers turned for the last time, carried the coffin through the scarlet curtains and across the threshold A sea of candlelight and song of the basilica, and disappeared. After the vigil last night, the young people processed with History, unimaginable history, made ... candles from St John Lateran to the Circus Maximus, in the shadow of the Palatine Hill where the Romans used to hold The young actor Karol Wojtyla could not possibly have chariot races. This huge open space was transformed into a imagined a more dramatic departure from the stage that campground for over 100,000 people for the night. As we was his life, with the entire world watching, not only the walked there was a profound silence along the route. Groups visible assembly of the universal Church on earth but also near us prayed the Rosary and sang quietly in French, Italian, the invisible assembly of the angels and saints in heaven. and English. All along the streets the Roman people had If St Peter’s Basilica was constructed to be an image of the opened their windows and lit candles to accompany us in splendor of the kingdom of heaven, then the carrying of John prayer, and especially as we passed the Colosseum the sea Paul’s coffin across the threshold of the basilica today and of candlelight, song, and prayer created an atmosphere of out of sight was the moment that most powerfully captured abiding peace and the sense that we were witnessing one of the spiritual reality that these days have witnessed: the world the defining spiritual moments of our time. has lost a prophet, the prophet of our times, and we shall not be the same ever again. Doubtlessly the Church goes on, and From a bird’s-eye piazza position the Holy Spirit will raise up for her a new shepherd to rule I got home after 1.30am, and was up at 5am so that a group in the See of Peter, but this particular man and his unique of priests from my house could leave at 5.30am to make our charism and mission will not be repeated. And for that we way down to the Vatican. We walked well clear of all the main both mourn and thank God for allowing us to have been approaches to St Peter’s and found that at all the numerous witnesses of the witness. “The Lord has given and the Lord security barricaes the Italian police were most ready to help has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” These priests get down to the Square. This has been the case all words from the book of Job have been my meditation today, week and has really been quite touching. Many of the priests as well as Christ’s final words to his apostles in the gospel of from our house were able to attend the funeral Mass sitting Luke, chapter 24, “You are witnesses of these things.” Truly in the front section of the Square. In God’s Providence, for each one of us who have lived through these extraordinary the last three years I have been member of a fraternity group

November 2005 38 for priests called Jesus Caritas, and one of the priests in my memory, our brother, you who are worthy of blessedness group is secretary to a cardinal who lives in an apartment on and unforgettable. Amen.” the top floor of the first building outside of the colonnade on the right side of the Via della Conciliazione. And so our Cardinal Ratzinger’s homily fraternity group of priests was invited up to the balcony And finally, Cardinal Ratzinger’s beautiful homily, in which to have a bird’s eye view of the entire piazza during the he meditated on the call of Christ to Peter in John’s Gospel, Mass. The view was astounding: we could see all the way chapter 21, when Christ says to Peter, “Follow me.” Ratzinger back to the Tiber and the bridges jammed with pilgrims, showed how Karol Wojtyla heard Christ’s call to follow up and down the entire Via della Conciliazione, and then him as a young student, followed him into the seminary and had an unobstructed view of all of St Peter’s Square. Two priesthood, then to the episcopacy and finally in October 1978 years ago in Czestochowa, Poland, I prayed at the icon of to the papacy. John Paul II lived in a powerful way the words the Black Madonna, Queen of Poland, that when Pope John of Christ, “Those who try to make their life secure will lose Paul died she would allow me to attend his funeral. I think it, but those who lose their life will keep it” (Luke 17:33). she answered that prayer today in spades! His life was completely surrendered to the will of God as revealed to him through the call of the Church. With Peter, With the help of binoculars we were able to watch President he stretched out his hands and allowed himself to be taken and Mrs Bush, President Clinton, Prince Charles, Tony where he did not wish to go (John 21:18). Said Ratzinger Blair, Jacques Chirac, and many other kings and dignitaries of the Pope, “He interpreted for us the paschal mystery arrive. It was striking to all of us what a diverse group as a mystery of divine mercy.” The Pope’s entire life was of leaders and political viewpoints were represented in dedicated to proclaiming the mystery of Jesus Christ, born the diplomatic seats today: no other person could have of Mary, crucified and risen from the dead, as the source of gathered together so many dignitaries in such a peaceful mercy and healing for a wounded world. And then a beautiful and prayerful way. Various other church leaders, Orthodox conclusion by Ratzinger: bishops, Anglican and Protestant clergy, and leaders of non- None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday Christian religions were present as well. Even in death John of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once Paul brought the nations and religions of the world together more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time in a way that testifies to his moral authority and spiritual gave his blessing urbi et orbi. We can be sure that our beloved leadership unparalleled in our time. As Pope he was truly Pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, the “Holy Father” not only of the Catholic Church but of all that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We Christians and even of the whole world. His heart was filled entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, with love for every human person, no matter how important who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the or how small, and it was his love that was today returned eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. by the whole world in bidding him farewell. “... not all tears are an evil” The funeral Mass At the conclusion of his Lord of The Rings trilogy, J R R I want to conclude by pointing out just a few of the more Tolkien records a moment of final parting not unlike the striking moments of the Funeral Mass. First, the Litany one we have all experienced today. The Quest has been of the Saints of the Church of Rome, sung as on Monday accomplished, the last boat is setting sail across the Western during the procession of the body into the basilica, invoking Sea, and the Fellowship must bid farewell. Gandalf says, the intercession of those who have gone before John Paul “’Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the Sea and await his company at the heavenly banquet. Special comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-Earth. Go in additions to this litany were St Maximilian Kolbe, the peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an martyr of Auschwitz whom John Paul canonised, St Charles evil.’” Borromeo, the pope’s baptismal patron, and, right at the end, St Maria Faustina Kowalska, the Servant of Divine Mercy Today at last came the end of our fellowship with John Paul II whom John Paul canonised on Mercy Sunday during the on this earth. Now he awaits us on the shores of the Undying Great Jubilee of the year 2000. Lands. We weep today, but only because our love is so great. The fire of faith and hope burns through our tears and purifies Next the commendation done by the Patriarchs of the them, the same fire which was kindled on Easter night and Eastern Churches, chanted in Greek as two bishops in drives away all darkness from the valley of death in which we ornate golden vestments incensed the coffin simultaneously. live. Jesus Christ, Redemptor Hominis, the Redeemer of Man, This solemn rite demonstrated visibly that the Pope’s flock is the Alpha and Omega who says to us, “Do not be afraid. I includes not just the Latin or Western Church but also the am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, Churches of the East whose spiritual patrimony comes from but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death Constantinople, Antioch, and Alexandria. He is truly the and the netherworld.” Farewell, Holy Father! Godspeed! universal Shepherd. This moment had profound significance We will never forget you, and we will always, always pray for John Paul II, the Pope of Rome who dedicated so much for you, as you will for us, until we meet again. of his life to the realisation of Christ’s prayer, “That all may be one.” As the mysterious chant filled the entire Square, Writing on Monday 11April 2005, Rome the patriarchs prayed a litany of Divine Mercy, asking God for eternal rest for Pope John Paul, the forgiveness of all Stories you won’t hear on CNN his sins, and a place in the kingdom of heaven with all the It is now Monday morning, and the rain that began on Friday saints. The litany concluded with the following haunting almost immediately after the Funeral Mass continues to words chanted three times in Greek, “Eternal is your fall steadily. Remarkable, not only because of how these 39 The Priest heavy, overcast skies rolled in at the very moment of John confession. After he went, another asked the same question, Paul’s burial, but also because during the entire week when and then one by one all ten men went to confession for the hundreds of thousands were keeping vigil during the Pope’s first time in many years. The priest spent about two hours last hours, waiting in line to view his body and camping on listening, advising, and absolving these students. the streets, not a drop of rain fell. More than once I have been at Masses with John Paul II where dramatic weather And a thousand times over. In God’s Providence there can timed itself perfectly to coincide with his speaking: a perfect be no coincidences. I am confident that this story has been rainbow appeared over Mile High Stadium in Denver on 12 repeated hundreds if not thousands of times in the last week August 1993, just as the Pope led us in singing the “Pater on the streets of Rome. Priests were hearing confessions all Noster,” and a dramatic front swept through Toronto on over this city, in the most unlikely places (again, reminiscent Sunday morning, 28 July 2002, transforming a torrential of conditions at the World Youth Days). downpour into brilliant sunshine just as the Gospel was read Witness after witness. A Polish nun who works as sacristan and the Pope began to preach. Even in death John Paul II has at our house recounted the story of a Polish man who, after had a remarkable cooperation of the elements in forming the viewing the Pope’s body, went to confession for the first backdrop to his dramatic exit from the stage of life. time in forty-five years. An American woman who lives A few of the stories circulating in Rome in Rome came down to the square on the night before the Pope died, more out of curiosity than anything, and found I want to share some of the numerous stories that are being herself standing next to a group of American high-school passed around Rome this week, as we all take a deep breath students who prayed the Rosary and knelt in prayer for and try to comprehend the monumental import of the last ten nearly three straight hours from 9pm to midnight. She was days. They give just a glimpse of how much grace was being moved to tears, told one of the teachers of the school that poured out on the Eternal City during the salvific moment she had never witnessed anything more beautiful, and said of John Paul the Great’s passing, to say nothing of the grace that her entire life had been changed by those few hours in St being poured out on the entire world as it watched from afar Peter’s Square. John Paul is bearing fruit in death apparently on its knees. These vignettes follow in no particular order and even more abundantly than he did in life. This should come attempt to paint a picture in words to the praise and glory of to us as no surprise: Christ tells us: “Amen, amen, I say to God for the impact John Paul II has had on the Church and you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it the whole world during his final days. remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much USA students. Last week I personally met a group of students fruit (John 12:24). What is true of Christ is no less true of from Franciscan University of Steubenville (three bus-loads, his saints. Speaking of saints, one of the best ideas I have to be precise!) who are spending the semester studying near heard yet is that John Paul II should be beatified as quickly as Vienna, Austria. When news of the Pope’s death reached possible, and then he and Mother Teresa of Calcutta should them, they spontaneously decided to come and get in line to be canonised together. The crowd for that Mass might even view the Pope’s body. The school administration cooperated exceed last week’s! with the students’ initiative by cancelling classes for two Veneration at tomb begun days. They chartered buses, left Austria at 5pm on Monday evening, 4 April 2005, drove all night and arrived in Rome Inside St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes underneath the at 6am on Tuesday morning. They then immediately got in main floor of the church have been closed since the funeral line and waited six hours to see the Pope’s body (a relatively and will not open until later this week. John Paul was buried short wait given conditions later in the week). They then in these grottoes in the former crypt of Blessed John XXIII, had a few hours free in the afternoon: a few came to Mass whose relics were brought up into the main basilica when he at the chapel at my residence. Then at 7pm they reboarded was beatified by John Paul II during the Great Jubilee of the their buses and drove home to Austria, arriving at 8am on year 2000. It seems that the grottoes are remaining closed Wednesday morning, at which point they went to class. for a few days in an attempt to empty Rome of pilgrims and 26 hours in a bus, two consecutive nighs without a bed or reduce the massive numbers of people who continue to visit showers, six hours in line, all to walk past the body of the the basilica. But the Polish pilgrims will not be deterred: each Pope for a few brief seconds. I cannot tell you how inspired day there have been people kneeling at prayer throughout I was by the devotion and faith and love for the Pope (to say the day over the “air vents” which lead down to the grottoes nothing of the love for Christ!) of these 20/21-year-olds. The from the floor of the main basilica. These round holes are future of the Church is bright based on this glimpse I had of covered with brass manhole-like covers, which have holes the John Paul II generation in action. in them that one can partially see through into the grottoes. On Monday morning at 7.15am there were over 50 people The grace of reconciliation. A priest who lives with me went kneeling at these holes and praying, causing a bit of chaos down early one morning (about 4am) and got in line. During for the St Peter’s altar servers trying to direct priests to the the following hours as they waited together, he befriended a various altars for morning Mass. The veneration of the tomb group of ten Spanish men, all university students, who had of John Paul the Great has begun! spontaneously decided to hop on a plane from Madrid. As they talked to the priest, it became clear that none of them Story of the late Pope’s spiritual sister went to church or practiced their faith, although as Spaniards Last week Sister Nirmala, successor to Mother Teresa as all were baptised Catholics. When they finally went past the Mother General of the Missionaries of Charity, flew to Pope’s body, these young men all began crying, and then went Rome from Calcutta for the funeral. She came to the basilica to the side where they could pray for a few moments. At this to venerate the Pope’s body and sat in the back row of the point, one of the young men asked the priest if he could go to chairs near the bier reserved for bishops and cardinals. After

November 2005 40 spending some time in prayer, she was getting up to leave Roman Triptych: meditations when she brushed the arm of Bishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, the I want to close with an extended quotation from John Paul Pope’s personal secretary, who was of course at the Pope’s II about the dramatic days that are about to unfold for the side when he died and spent many hours in prayer as the Church. In 2003, Pope John Paul published three poems body lay in the basilica last week. When Bishop Dziwisz in a book called Roman Triptych: Meditations. The second looked up and saw Sister Nirmala, he jumped up, took her poem is called “Meditations on the Book of Genesis at the arm, led her right up next to the body of the Pope, and let Threshold of the Sistine Chapel.” After powerful meditations her kneel there for an extended period of prayer. Certainly on Creation (depicted on the ceiling) and the Last Judgment as Mother General of the Missionaries of Charity Sister (depicted on the front wall), John Paul has an epilogue about Nirmala had a special relationship with John Paul II, but the dramatic moment of the conclave, which takes place in what her relationship is in fact even more special. Some years is perhaps the most powerful artistic space in the world. He ago, Mother Teresa approached the Pope with the idea that takes the word, “conclave,” meaning literally “with the keys” (a every one of her sisters would spiritually adopt a priest to reference to the fact that the cardinals are locked in the Sistine pray for, in the same way that St Therese of the Child Jesus, Chapel), and gives it a spiritual interpretation, referring to the the French Carmelite who died in 1897, adopted two priests power of the keys given to Peter with which he governs Christ’s as “spiritual brothers” whom she prayed for throughout Church. His words serve as a profound meditation to us about her life. The Pope wholeheartedly endorsed the idea, but the spiritual power at work in next week’s conclave: then turned to Mother Teresa and said, “But Mother, I am a priest – who will adopt me?” Mother Teresa turned to her It is here, beneath this wondrous Sistine profusion of color secretary and said, “Sister Nirmala will adopt you.” And so that the Cardinals assemble; last week, kneeling next to John Paul’s body in St Peter’s the community responsible for the legacy of the keys of the Basilica, Sister Nirmala bade farewell to her adopted brother Kingdom. who was also her Holy Father. They come here, to this very place. And once more Michelangelo wraps them in his vision. Novem Diales “In Him we live and move and have our being.” Each day this week, for nine consecutive days or Novem Who is He? Diales, a solemn funeral Mass is being celebrated at the Behold, the creating hand of the Almighty, the Ancient One, high altar of St Peter’s Basilica, and these Masses are reaching towards Adam; attracting massive numbers of Romans and other pilgrims. In the beginning God created; I attended the Mass at 5pm on Sunday evening, celebrated He, who sees all things; by Cardinal Ruini, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, The colours of the Sistine will then speak which drew over 30,000 people to the basilica with another the word of the Lord: 20,000 overflow crowd outside, a larger number than any Tu es Petrus, once heard by Simon, son of John. Easter or Christmas in recent memory. The mayor of Rome “To you I will give the keys of the Kingdom.” announced yesterday that Rome’s central train station, Those entrusted with the legacy of the keys gather here, Stazione Termini, is going to be renamed Stazione Giovanni letting themselves be enfolded by the Sistine’s colours, Paolo II. The response of the Roman people to the death of by the vision left to us by Michelangelo; John Paul II continues to be astounding. So it was in August, and again in October, in the memorable year of the two Conclaves, Anticipating the conclave and so it will be once more, when the time comes, As the conclave approaches, let us not forget our serious after my death. duty to pray for the Cardinal-electors. A priest friend of mine Michelangelo’s vision must then speak to them. saw an American cardinal in St Peter’s Basilica yesterday “Con-clave”: a shared concern for the legacy of the keys, and called out, “We’re praying for you, Your Eminence!” the keys of the Kingdom. The cardinal stopped, grabbed the priest’s hand, looked Lo, they see themselves in the midst of the Beginning him straight in the eyes, and whispered, “Please!” I think and the End, that sums up the weight on these men’s shoulders in the between the Day of Creation and the Day of Judgment; coming days. It is granted man once to die, and thereafter, the Judgment! Final transparency and light. Each cardinal will make the following oath each time he The clarity of the events; individually casts his written vote: “I call as my witness the clarity of consciences; Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given During the conclave Michelangelo must teach them ; to the one who before God I think should be elected.” This Do not forget: Omnia nuda et aperta sunt oculos Eius. oath will be taken by each Cardinal as he stands before You who see all, point to him! Michelangelo’s dramatic painting of The Last Judgment in He will point him out.... the Sistine Chapel. Pope John Paul specifically decreed in 1996 that the papal election must take place in the Sistine Let us pray for one another, for that is the best way to love Chapel, “where everything is conducive to an awareness of one another. (Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta) the presence of God, in whose sight each person will one day be judged” (from his Apostolic Constitution Universi * Rev Peter Mitchell is pastor of Assumption Church, Dwight Dominici Gregis). Let us pray that each cardinal will act in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska USA, a doctoral candidate of in a way worthy of eternal reward from the Lord in the Gregorian Univeristy, Rome, and teaches at the diocesan St Gregory coming days. the Great Seminary.

41 The Priest Mass. A tall young lad in the congregation got up, made his Continued from page 23 way to the sacristy, donned an alb and cincture and served the Mass. His self-deprecating comment after I thanked him for As I was to discover, Bishop Brennan did only what Cardinal his thoughtfulness included the comment: “You’re getting a Josef Ratzinger himself did when he became Archbishop of bit old. You need a bit of help.” It served to remind me that Munich in the late 1970s. He too had been faced with an sixteen going on seventeen was a long way from sixty-seven acute shortage of clergy upon his appointment to Munich. going on sixty-eight. He then added that he and his older While visiting Rome in 1989, I heard Cardinal Ratzinger brother had promised between themselves to supply as servers say that he saw the only way forward was to found his own any time I was short-handed. seminary. Despite much opposition and vicious labelling he did just that. It has since produced its fruits. Bishop Brennan Only last Easter this same older brother and a friend the was much consoled by this news. same age had come forward and volunteered to assist the younger altar boys at the 3pm, Good Friday ceremony. This Today the average age of WaggaWagga priests is the lowest in older brother also assisted at the Easter Vigil the next day. the country and their ratio to the faithful among the highest. Now young men towering over me, they had known me most Not long before his final, disabling stroke Bishop Brennan of their lives. Maybe this experience could provide a good obviously had a premonition that his time in active ministry supporting argument for the permanent appointment of Parish was limited. God alone knows why. He had quizzically Priests. [The six-year provision has often become a means remarked to me in a long conversation that God must have a for the abuse of episcopal power. (Ed.)] sense of humour. While today his short-term memory is non- existent, he can still recall earlier days and instantly identify old friends. The Church in Australia owes him much – more The Sense of the Sacred than we now appreciate. In more recent years many of us have endured the unbridled Following on Bishop Brennan’s success, the seminaries in chatter and total unawareness of God’s Presence at Melbourne, Perth and eventually Sydney were appropriately celebrations of First Holy Communion. I now read my own reconstituted in various degrees and are producing priests. version of the Riot Act before the First Communion Mass, Some of these priests now serve in other dioceses as well. So reminding all present that it is our duty as their elders to give spare him and his attentive family a prayer while continuing a good example to the children, whose recollected behaviour to pray for our seminaries and seminarians. in the church is angelic, not vice versa. The Church easily becomes a noisy movie set unless great A Truly Catholic Education restraint is expected and practised. Without a prudent caution, at Communion time a herd of copy-cat participants, unshriven The idealism of youth persists still as the fertile ground for and ignorant among the devout, will gawk and jostle for a vocations but the seed of a vocation needs first to be carefully piece of the action. St Paul had the same problem at Corinth nurtured in families through an education in faith that is but was game enough to tackle the abuse. Why remain silent? truly Catholic. The much vaunted Catholic ethos in Catholic For the causes of such abuse demand to be tackled. education has oft proven ethereal indeed – especially where mentors of the young themselves no longer believe, let In many instances, First Holy Communion and Confirmation alone practise, the faith. This faith-deficiency urgently needs have degenerated into mere rites of passage where children addressing, particularly in our secondary schools. are automatically processed according to grade or age. If the culture is to be changed this should not be allowed to Young people are not fools. They can pick a fraud; but they continue. The Christian dimension of the spirit is founded on may not have the maturity to deal with one and so they can the biblical fact that faith comes from hearing, not from the easily fall victim themselves. We must face up to the tough staging of a visual spectacular. This needs to be inculcated question: Do we really need to have the devil’s work done in the young from their earliest years if their faith is to have under Catholic auspices? What is more, family life has been any chance of surviving into maturity. so shattered by contraception that the common attitude in our society, especially when the secular doctrine of self- Grace may follow nature; but we must never forget that nature fulfillment and untramelled freedom of expression dominates, also needs to learn how necessary it is to make room for grace. has now become Why marry at all? God seldom “butts into” our lives but all too easily we can tell Him to “butt out”. Therefore we must communicate the fact The simple fact is that last year I celebrated one wedding. that regular Sunday Mass attendance is not a penalty in order This year it will be two – in a parish of some 4,500 nominally to earn a first and maybe last Communion, but the necessary Catholic souls. I have been Parish Priest now for 25 years. auditioning to merit eternal Communion with the Lord. Over that time I have striven heart and soul to instruct and support the young during their primary school days only to see too many of them fall away from the practice of their faith Primary School Catechesis in [what is termed] Catholic high school, at best, turning up occasionally at Easter or Christmas. Children with their innate sense of wonder are naturally and supernaturally equipped to grasp the essentials of the great mysteries of faith. They are capable of coming to know More Bright Spots remarkably well the One in whom we believe. After all the Lord Himself has told us that the kingdom of God belongs But to be consistently realistic there are also bright spots. Quite recently and unusually, I had no altar server at a Vigil Continued on page 17

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