We find ourselves in a deeply divided church — and society as well. For those who love the church, the many contemporary trials Catholics face cause concern and, for some at least, pain. Some trials, with origins stretching back 400 years, are manifest in an increasingly secularized society. Other trials are more contemporary and play out in criminal and civil courts. But in his poignant appeal for help Pope Benedict XVI saw that the present dark state of affairs goes much further and deeper: “What went wrong … in our entire way of living the Christian life to allow such a thing to happen?”
If so, then the question is: Where do we go from here? Some, often called “dwellers,” look back to a seemingly secure past, but struggle in coming to terms with the present. Others, often called “seekers,” in looking forward, struggle with assuring the essentials of the tradition. Most, social analysts report, find themselves between the two poles, attempting to live more fully the essential truths of Christianity in a way that is sensitive to, but not dominated by, the circumstances of our time. For all three, a quite new level of cooperation between a set of leading Catholic research clusters promises to be a reason for hope for all in the church.
The dark night
I would suggest that the task must be carried out, not despite, but in terms of the suffering. Here the example of Martin Luther King Jr. seems relevant. Overwhelmed by the oppression of his people, he turned to the theology of Paul Tillich, who had made an integral place in his theology of salvation for the tragedies of the two world wars. The darkness was not to be ignored or escaped; indeed, it was only through facing the darkness that “we shall overcome someday.” With that insight King was able to face down fire hoses and police dogs, mobilize a country and indeed overcome, finally through death. Continue reading
Sources
- George F McLean in National Catholic Reporter
- Image: Pastor Joel’s Blog
News category: Features.
