A recent (2018) survey in England and Wales of the youth with regard to faith and vocational discernment, in view of the upcoming Synod has shed some insights into what young people feel about the Church. Though the survey itself could have been broader in its reach, the available data does indicate a growing sense of divide within the Church, especially in the UK.
The most significant of the findings that struck me was this particular insight that there are two distinct groups: A small vocal and determined group looking back to an era they have been told was better and a much larger group who are embedded in the culture and want the Church to engage more. The first group wants clarity and the second, authenticity.
This is the case not just of the youth in England and Wales but of the whole Church and one of the principal reasons Pope Francis is being criticized. There was a time when the Church offered clear and sure guidelines for everyone, including the civil society. Its decisions were looked upto with respect and proved valuable. However, this era is long gone! Pope Francis too leaves things hanging! But that's exactly how things are! Things are no more pure black or white. There are grey areas; ambiguous and unclear. The Church does no good offering a 'permanent remedy'... certainly not from a position of authority and hierarchy. The Church leaders need to journey with the whole world and seek for answers - not dictate them from the pulpit. Answers or efforts to seek answers in such a collaborative mode are more appreciated and helpful than ready-made doctrinal replies.
To use an imagery: There are those inside the Church waiting for your instructions. Then there are those outside the Church happy to let you join them. Where is the priest or the religious to go? If he stays in, those outside are not going to wait for him for long. They will gladly carry on their way and not ever bother about anything. If he joins the group outside, those inside are not going to sit waiting for long. They'll seek their answers elsewhere. Stretched between these two groups, a priest/religious of today needs to find his mission.
The most significant of the findings that struck me was this particular insight that there are two distinct groups: A small vocal and determined group looking back to an era they have been told was better and a much larger group who are embedded in the culture and want the Church to engage more. The first group wants clarity and the second, authenticity.
This is the case not just of the youth in England and Wales but of the whole Church and one of the principal reasons Pope Francis is being criticized. There was a time when the Church offered clear and sure guidelines for everyone, including the civil society. Its decisions were looked upto with respect and proved valuable. However, this era is long gone! Pope Francis too leaves things hanging! But that's exactly how things are! Things are no more pure black or white. There are grey areas; ambiguous and unclear. The Church does no good offering a 'permanent remedy'... certainly not from a position of authority and hierarchy. The Church leaders need to journey with the whole world and seek for answers - not dictate them from the pulpit. Answers or efforts to seek answers in such a collaborative mode are more appreciated and helpful than ready-made doctrinal replies.
To use an imagery: There are those inside the Church waiting for your instructions. Then there are those outside the Church happy to let you join them. Where is the priest or the religious to go? If he stays in, those outside are not going to wait for him for long. They will gladly carry on their way and not ever bother about anything. If he joins the group outside, those inside are not going to sit waiting for long. They'll seek their answers elsewhere. Stretched between these two groups, a priest/religious of today needs to find his mission.
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