Event in Edmonton

Archbishop Thomas Collins has disbanded the Light of Christ Community, a group of between 120 and 150, who had been celebrating liturgy at the chapel of Newman Theological College, Edmonton, for the past 31 years.
  Collins gave as a reason that the shortage of priests did not permit operating a self-selected community who are close to other regular parishes which have an objective and not a subjective bond. He praised those in the community who did good works but noted that the community was not connected to the wider life of the diocese. He urged them to take their gifts and zeal to the parishes.
  Collins also objected to some of the liturgical texts and practices, such as dialogical eucharistic prayers that the community used to create involvement of adults and children. 
  The Oblate Fathers who had worked with the community since it started in 1972 said that they would accommodate the group.

 Phil Little, Toronto, writes

Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name . . .
  I was saddened to read the article "Newman community disbanded" in the Aug. 21 WCR, yet not surprised. There is a tremendous fear among the episcopacy and Roman officials that believers will discover Christian community where the word of God and the sharing of the Eucharistic bread will gather and edify a new generation of disciples. God knows it is not happening in the parishes where our clergy are reduced to sacramental fabricators and the parish institution resembles an antiquated K-Mart mall.
  For 31 years a small group of believers has gathered and shared their lives in the light of the Gospel, under the pastoral guidance of different Oblate priests who could attend to their spiritual needs and direction. The bishop admits that the community is not isolated and introverted but that its members are active disciples in the community and the Church. Its liturgies are animated and participatory. Everything that you don't find in most parishes. A small community allows its members to relate to one another and to grow in faith together
  The decision of the bishop presents a terrible dilemma for the Light of Christ community. To go back 31 years would be a betrayal of how they have evolved, much like the early community in the first centuries after the death of Jesus. On the other hand, a parish is modeled on a medieval geographical concept of community which today simply does not exist, even in rural areas.
  What is the bishop's problem? Like so many other brothers in the episcopacy, and perhaps following directions from Rome, there is a concern that Christians in these small communities, sometimes called "base Christian communities," will evolve and grow into a different or parallel consciousness of Church. Christians will discover that they through their Baptism possess the gifts of the spirit, including prophecy and leadership.
 God forbid - they might even allow a "woman" to give a reflection on the Gospel! The Scripture might become relevant to their daily lives. On top of that none of their weekly collection is being sent to the diocese but instead is going to the poor.
 All the reasons listed by the bishop in his six-page edict are probably logical - a least to a Church that refuses the insights of Vatican II. Many of the community will probably not go back to the old Church, but for the hierarchy that is better than allowing them to discover that "where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there."
 And that is what Church is all about - discovering the risen Lord when we sit together and share bread and wine, and listen to his stories, and feel the burning in our heart.

Phil Little, Toronto ON

Lieutenants Lead Change

I will not be attending the joint meeting in Ottawa.  I am not a paid up member of NCR or Corpus Canada.  I do support and benefit from The Journal.

A military man once  told me that it is the lieutenants who lead the forces for change. Change must come from the lieutenants.  This was my reason for joining Corpus initially.  I was looking to the lieutenants for leadership.

Leadership in the Servant-way of the Gospel is the vacuum in the Church. We have a structure of power that maintains and sustains itself.  Dialogue is useless in such a system.  Who has the courage to demand systemic change ? Who has the courage to speak for and reclaim the Gospel values for the People of God  in that systemic change ?  Who dares ?  Who could mobilize the collective will to bring about  radical change?  Vatican II was radical and it has been diluted and tamed to external changes of limited significance. Metanoia is still its call.

I think it is time for a focus on action.  I hope that the meeting in Ottawa will in the very least produce that.

I will continue to support The Journal because its message touches my Spirit and in it I hear hope.

Thank you.
Joan Martin

Love The Journal

I just got the latest issue of The Journal.  Outstanding, as usual.  I especially appreciated François’ cover article describing the various perspectives on the role and future of Priesthood.   I think you have provided a very helpful matrix for discussion and agree with your own interpretation of the distribution and trends.
  François and Connie are such a great team, and seeing their photo has reignited a desire for Julie and I to head up your way for a visit.   You both, of course, are always welcome down here as well.
  Thanks for all you do to build up the Body of Christ and the stimulation you give to so many others.

Pat Callahan, Seatle WA

News from Rome

You may interested to see this excerpt from the Pope's address to his own diocesan clergy:

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9 2000.- John Paul II asked for a special commitment to "families in difficulties," as well as youth who have left the Christian community, and to the neediest of the diocese, when he received the priests of Rome this morning in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Unity
In face of the difficulties challenging a priest today in a secularized society, in which at times his service is not appreciated, the Pontiff recommended to the Roman presbyters that they not allow their pastoral activity to impede the cultivation of a profound unity with their Bishop (i.e., the Pope) and with their brother priests, "nourished in common prayer, in meeting, in dialogue, and in the search for a sincere friendship." The Holy Father added that "the priests' help to the sick and the elderly is fundamental, along with their availability for dialogue and meeting with those who have left the priesthood."

The Pope noted that "a united and harmonious priesthood, capable of working together, is a great testimony for the faithful and multiplies the efficacy of the ministry."

Yours 

Andrew Bebb
Advent Group in the UK
Web Page: http://www.bebb.u-net.com
e-mail: [email protected]
fax: 0151 281 9624