Viewpoint: Let us Dream - and then what?

St Francis of Assisi - Image public domain

Towards the end of Lent this year, there was a fascinating webinar about Pope Francis' latest book, Let us Dream; groups had been meeting to discuss it during Lent, and discussion focussed on what we got out of it and how it moved us. But I was left with the question - what next?

Apart from the brief period round Vatican II - and with the exception of some exceptional parishes - Catholicism has been locked into ways of thinking and acting, for laity remaining obedient, silent, submissive, dominated by a clerical 'club' of the ordained (some of who might be obedient, silent and submissive in their turn).

The lay group willing and able to serve their parishes in the silent, submissive way has diminished substantially - women no longer available as volunteers in an age of equality, getting increasingly frustrated by an all-male hierarchy. But the women's issue is not the main issue - actually isn't it that a ministry of the priest as shepherd will not - cannot - can be continued with an ageing and diminishing number of priests, soon caring for multiple parishes with dwindling congregations. Church buildings, lovingly built on the pennies of the faithful, gradually emptying and becoming vacant - falling prey to the highest bidder.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to us - if not that we need to have a deep, deep rethink about how we can be missionary people and demonstrate and share God's love with our neighbours? How can we be church, the people of God, in and for the world? The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.

Pope Francis is providing us with loving pastoral and visionary guidance, but we know that turning the mega ship of the church (like the tanker which blocked the Suez Canal earlier this year) is a mega task. Pope Francis has exhorted his fellow shepherds to bring people together, to hold a synodality exercise - a long but potentially meaningful process. He exhort us "Let us not soundproof our hearts; let us not remain barricaded in our certainties. Let us listen to one another.

Putting this into operation is inevitably slow and it so needs to engage with all the holy people of God, priests and people. We have cried out to be involved before - once, maybe twice - and then, knocked back and ignored, the enthusiasm and energy wanes.

Exceptional priests can energise their parishes, with exciting projects; but that energy can be dissipated by a less energetic successor, particularly if everything revolves around a priest who has received seminary training only in theology and philosophy and knows little of modern management, and less of the art of delegation.

The process is at last grinding into gear. What is being suggested is that we engage with the questions posed by the bishops - and they will determine what of the discussions/answers will be forwarded to Rome for inclusion in the final discussions and documents.

How open will those questions be? Is a spirit of exploration going to be offered/welcomed? How is the process going to avoid being inward-looking, working out how to maintain the status quo rather than searching for new ideas to respond to God's call?

We had an exceptional Francis 900 years ago, who understood his calling to be to rebuild God's church. He came to realise this did not mean the building! Now we have another exceptional Francis who is gently nudging us towards new thinking about our roles in building God's kingdom.

Change is hard - very few relish it at any stage of our lives. But if not now, when?

Some concrete ideas to get us started

What about setting up lay formation, replacing what the Jesuits were doing at Heythrop, alas no longer, but far too little anyway. So set it up properly, formally in every diocese. And to ensure that those "formed" are respected by those ordained.

What about sharing resources - buildings, staff? Why should everything revolve round one man, and one building?

What about making sure everyone learns from what others are doing - whether it's within the Deanery, other Deaneries, the Diocese, other Dioceses, or even looking at what other Christian denominations are doing? Adopting the ideas of others is not a sign of weakness or vulnerability, but strength. Together we are all stronger.

Let Us Dream!