This was the guiding spirit of our Vatican Council II. As one of its leading theologians, the late Fr. John Courtney Murray, said, we must continually respond to "the gradual unfolding of human consciousness" throughout history. This is not relativism. This is rather a seeking of God’s will thru the inner movements of the spirit of love. Discerning God’s will thru inner, affective freedom.
Today, there are critical contemporary issues within the Church that need change. Our Church leaders need to really come down to where the ordinary people are, so that they can be-with, feel-with, and think-with the people of God. This is the essence of empathy, which was Christ’s way.
For the past weeks, responsible and knowledgeable lay leaders, theologians, and spiritual leaders have been focusing on needed changes within the Church – the very same changes pointed out three years ago by a survey of the National Catholic Reporter, whose respondents were mostly lay leaders, women religious, and priests, including at least one Cardinal and at least three bishops - predominantly from Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Latin America/Mexico. (NCR, May 3, 2002).
I had quoted parts of that survey then, but let me quote them again, for they are as relevant today.
Governance. A monarchial form of Church governance, with its accompanying style and trappings are no longer relevant or defensible. The late Fr. Bernard Haring, an eminent moral theologian of Vatican Council II, referred to this as "spiritual authoritarianism." This must yield to a more collegial and democratic form of institutional governance where the laity will have a real voice and participation. A genuine empowerment of the laity in our postmodern Church.
Priesthood. Mandatory celibacy for all diocesan priests needs to be re-examined and discerned once and for all. Married priests can be a major asset for the Church of the future, says the survey. More sexually-and-psychologically-normal males will be ordained priests, and less and less cases of priestly sex abuse, pedophilia, etc.
Ordination of Women. "This is not a panacea, but still necessary as a matter of equity and empowerment of more people to work for the mission of the Church." Moreover, the treatment of women as second-class members is an issue of social injustice.
Human Sexuality. "The Church’s position on contraception is untenable. Because the Church’s leaders lack a true understanding of women and the struggles of family life, its teachings are no longer challenging but simply dismissed by most Catholics who have concluded that the Church is wrong."
Religious Pluralism. "The Church must face the reality that religious pluralism is part of God’s plan for humanity, and it is time to enter into more serious and extensive dialogue with other religions, and to understand Christianity as one of many. Jesus is the great reconciler. He came to unite, to heal wounds of division."
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus keeps focusing on his works – his works of compassion, love, and justice. "Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do …" (Jn. 14: 11-12).
This is our mission. Amen.