BACK in 2009, the African bishops
held a synod that had as
its theme, “The Church of Africa at the service of reconciliation,
justice and peace.” At its conclusion, the then reigning Pope Benedict
XVI told the bishops to be realistic but not to be too political in
doing their prophetic role in that aspect of African life.
It’s obvious that the assembly was meant to tackle a
tricky and delicate situation where the Church, especially the bishops
and priests, have to know how to strike the balance between the
spiritual and political dimensions of Christian life. I can just
imagine how things were and continue to be in that volatile continent
of Africa.
It’s a situation similar to ours, and I suppose to many
other places. That’s why that piece of news immediately grabbed my
attention then and continues to do so, since I would like to know
exactly how the balance is made, what requirements and considerations
are kept.
Especially now when we are celebrating the Jubilee Year of
Mercy, and the clergy is agitated to sharpen the exercise of their
prophetic role in social and political matters, clear guidelines from
the Vatican would be most welcome and helpful.
We cannot deny the blatant fact that controversial
interventions, confusing at the very least, by some of our
ecclesiastical big shots in social and political issues have left many
of us bewildered and even scandalized.
Many of the faithful have complained that some Church
leaders are too condemnatory in their statements, with words and tone
that are laced with a condescending know-it-all attitude and sarcasm.
They also observe that the leaders seem to speak more
vociferously in areas where they do not have or have less competence,
while almost being silent or weak in the media in questions they
should be clear and loud about.
For example, a bishop told some priests in their retreat
that contraceptives like condoms are ok as long as it is not
abortifacient. Many were wondering what happened to Pope Paul’s
“Humanae Vitae” after listening to that “enlightenment.”
Also, the irregularities within the Church structure give
the impression Church officials are remiss in their duties as they
stray into matters they should not be.
In short, people think these leaders only manage to
embarrass the Church and religion in general in the eyes of the world.
That’s why there is also a growing fallout of the faithful.
In that address to the African bishops, the Pope Emeritus
only hinted that the synod was successful in identifying the way to
reach that balance, but no details were mentioned. I suppose we have
to wait a little for the relevant document to come out. That should be
very exciting!
Also the Pope pointed out the significance of a synod,
saying that it is ¨a common journey,¨ referring to the truth that in
serving God and men the Church has to go together, talk and discuss
things together, especially to determine solutions and remedies to
problems along the way. Beautiful idea!
Let’s quote some lines of that address:
¨The theme "Reconciliation, Justice and Peace" certainly
implies a strong political dimension, even if it is obvious that
reconciliation, justice and peace are not possible without a profound
purification of the heart, without a renewal of thought, a "metanoia"
("conversion"), without a newness that must come precisely from the
encounter with God.
¨But even if this spiritual dimension is profound and
fundamental, the political dimension is also very real, because
without political realizations, these new things of the Spirit are not
commonly realized.
¨Thus, the temptation could have been to politicize the
theme, to speak less of pastoral work and more about politics, with a
competence that is not ours.
¨The other danger was -- precisely to flee from the first
temptation -- that of retreating into a purely spiritual world, into
an abstract and beautiful but unrealistic world.
¨But the discourse of a pastor must be realistic; it must
deal with reality, but from the perspective of God and his Word.¨
How I wish the spirit and flavor of these words become
palpable every time we read and hear Church leaders' interventions in
social and political issues!
Obviously we cannot discount the likely possibility of how
media play up these interventions that distort and even annul their
original intent. This has been happening almost always. It is also an
area clamoring to be studied well and remedied.
In the end, I think it is a matter of continuing formation
for all parties involved—clergy, the lay faithful, media, etc.
its theme, “The Church of Africa at the service of reconciliation,
justice and peace.” At its conclusion, the then reigning Pope Benedict
XVI told the bishops to be realistic but not to be too political in
doing their prophetic role in that aspect of African life.
It’s obvious that the assembly was meant to tackle a
tricky and delicate situation where the Church, especially the bishops
and priests, have to know how to strike the balance between the
spiritual and political dimensions of Christian life. I can just
imagine how things were and continue to be in that volatile continent
of Africa.
It’s a situation similar to ours, and I suppose to many
other places. That’s why that piece of news immediately grabbed my
attention then and continues to do so, since I would like to know
exactly how the balance is made, what requirements and considerations
are kept.
Especially now when we are celebrating the Jubilee Year of
Mercy, and the clergy is agitated to sharpen the exercise of their
prophetic role in social and political matters, clear guidelines from
the Vatican would be most welcome and helpful.
We cannot deny the blatant fact that controversial
interventions, confusing at the very least, by some of our
ecclesiastical big shots in social and political issues have left many
of us bewildered and even scandalized.
Many of the faithful have complained that some Church
leaders are too condemnatory in their statements, with words and tone
that are laced with a condescending know-it-all attitude and sarcasm.
They also observe that the leaders seem to speak more
vociferously in areas where they do not have or have less competence,
while almost being silent or weak in the media in questions they
should be clear and loud about.
For example, a bishop told some priests in their retreat
that contraceptives like condoms are ok as long as it is not
abortifacient. Many were wondering what happened to Pope Paul’s
“Humanae Vitae” after listening to that “enlightenment.”
Also, the irregularities within the Church structure give
the impression Church officials are remiss in their duties as they
stray into matters they should not be.
In short, people think these leaders only manage to
embarrass the Church and religion in general in the eyes of the world.
That’s why there is also a growing fallout of the faithful.
In that address to the African bishops, the Pope Emeritus
only hinted that the synod was successful in identifying the way to
reach that balance, but no details were mentioned. I suppose we have
to wait a little for the relevant document to come out. That should be
very exciting!
Also the Pope pointed out the significance of a synod,
saying that it is ¨a common journey,¨ referring to the truth that in
serving God and men the Church has to go together, talk and discuss
things together, especially to determine solutions and remedies to
problems along the way. Beautiful idea!
Let’s quote some lines of that address:
¨The theme "Reconciliation, Justice and Peace" certainly
implies a strong political dimension, even if it is obvious that
reconciliation, justice and peace are not possible without a profound
purification of the heart, without a renewal of thought, a "metanoia"
("conversion"), without a newness that must come precisely from the
encounter with God.
¨But even if this spiritual dimension is profound and
fundamental, the political dimension is also very real, because
without political realizations, these new things of the Spirit are not
commonly realized.
¨Thus, the temptation could have been to politicize the
theme, to speak less of pastoral work and more about politics, with a
competence that is not ours.
¨The other danger was -- precisely to flee from the first
temptation -- that of retreating into a purely spiritual world, into
an abstract and beautiful but unrealistic world.
¨But the discourse of a pastor must be realistic; it must
deal with reality, but from the perspective of God and his Word.¨
How I wish the spirit and flavor of these words become
palpable every time we read and hear Church leaders' interventions in
social and political issues!
Obviously we cannot discount the likely possibility of how
media play up these interventions that distort and even annul their
original intent. This has been happening almost always. It is also an
area clamoring to be studied well and remedied.
In the end, I think it is a matter of continuing formation
for all parties involved—clergy, the lay faithful, media, etc.
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