Madam, - In a recent letter, Bishop Pat Buckley (October 6th) listed a 10-point strategy for reforming the Catholic Church. While we are aware of the problems of the Catholic Church in Western countries, including Ireland, we must not conclude that these problems are universal. Many Irish and other Europeans seem to assume that the Church in Europe is typical of the universal Church. Those of us who have spent many years in the so-called third world will know that, in many parts of the world, the Church is flourishing. Throughout history, while in some places the Church was in decline, in other places it was expanding.
It is scarcely Christ-like to keep reminding us of the failures of certain priests, religious and laity who were indeed sinners but most of whom have paid for their crimes. I hope that Bishop Buckley is not tempted, like the Pharisee, to thank God that he is not one of those sinners.
Many of the proposals to widen the candidature for ordination have already been tried in other Christian communities but have not always proved very successful in stemming a decline in church attendance or participation. Compulsory retirement at 65 for all Church officers smacks of "ageism" and is a strange proposal when we are told that we are living longer and must therefore work longer.
What is the Church's wealth to which the bishop (and many others) refer? The so-called wealth is mostly in buildings and "plant" needed for the Church's mission - in schools, hospitals, training colleges, presbyteries. The wealth of the secular state is similarly bound up in institutions needed for the smooth running of a just civil society.
If all these institutions, be they religious or secular, were to be sold and the proceeds given to the poor, what then? How could the Church or the secular society function efficiently with no hospitals, schools or workplaces?
It is the very existence of these institutions that enables the Church to help the poor, particularly those in the third world.
In contrast to many secular officers most bishops and priests receive very modest salaries. The exhortation to help the poor and afflicted applies to all Christians and, in this, over centuries, the Church's record has been admirable. We should remember also that Christ so loved the Temple that He threw out the money-changers. Is it suggested that we should invite them in to buy up its contents?
Reform of the canon law may be appropriate but like the civil law some sort of canon law is needed to conduct the Catholic community's day-to-day affairs. Daily we witness in some parts of the US and among Islamic radicals the problems arising from those who would use holy books as their sole source of law and order. The Church is here to interpret the Bible and to encourage us to live out its message. By relying solely upon the Bible on any legal or moral issue, some might propose that we should revert to the stoning to death of adulterers.
With the present falling away from Christian practice there has been an increase in superstition. Most Catholics will probably hope and pray that this tendency will be replaced by an authentic spirituality. What does Bishop Buckley mean by religion? While religion is not confined to Christianity most Christians would surely believe that their religion, if properly understood, is already authentic, challenging and infused with spirituality. Are we so arrogant as to dismiss them as being merely superstitious?
I suggest that we Catholics should try to rediscover our faith and experience as being part of the worldwide sisterhood and brotherhood that is Christ's Church. We must be open to become inspired by this sense of community to live and to work in bringing to the world the news of God's will for peace, justice and hope for all the people of this planet. - Yours, etc.,
FRANCIS BAILEY, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co Dublin.