An Ecclesial Proposal
I BELIEVE that the time is right for the formation of a religious society here in Ireland to catch the breeze that the Holy Spirit is sending through the world at this time of change and anniversaries. We are now 2000 years since Christ, and 1500 since Ireland became Christian and since St. Benedict. We are 1000 years since the time of crusades, Céilé Dé, and the founding of the Cistercians. We are 500 years since Luther, 250 since the height of the Enlightenment and now nearly150 since disestablishment, which it has been suggested we should mark with a special initiative of this kind. What I offer here is the product of many years pondering, influenced by my childhood experience of Worth Abbey and its community, which was in some ways at the forefront of the new monastic movement. The pondering has been renewed and intensified as a result of the General Synod survey regarding the possibility of a place of prayer and retreat, and by the subsequent report and discussion of that report (General Synod reports 2017 pp.339-364) Semper Reformanda Apart from the milestones mentioned above, there has been a signi cant amount of change in recent times. We are no longer a mostly rural nation whose life choices are basically to emigrate or stay in one place for life. While many people still have a strong sense of belonging in a local community, this is no longer such a universal model. We have far more people who feel isolated and alone, even in a crowd. People’s lives are far more pressured in terms of commitment. The model of a parish community that meets together every Sunday morning is a good base point, but it does not serve us all in the way it once did. This is indicated by all the alternative and outreach ministries that are popping up, o ering people a place where they can connect. Cathedrals, too, have seen a rise in attendance in many places, since people feel that they can just walk in, without being part of a geographical group. Café churches and suchlike seem to be premised on the idea that we must reach those we have lost and bring them back to being regular church folk. But the reason that some of them are outside the fold is that they have not the personal circumstances to be inside it. There need to be additional ways of belonging. For the Church to continue to meet people’s spiritual needs, when their lives and understandings have changed, it must develop accordingly - semper reformanda. If we want to explore how to reach people so as to re- invigorate Christian faith, we need to consider what people’s needs are today. Whilst many people belong to local clubs for this and that, there are others who have hobbies and interests that they are unable to follow in their local area. Instead, they join on-line, regional or national groups to pursue their interests. People often seem unable or unwilling to give small pieces of regular time to things on a local basis, but will put aside days or weekends more intermittently.
* Full article available in printed copies.
Mairt Hanley
is rector of Baltinglass, Diocese of Leighlin.