Appreciating domestic Church despite coronavirus ‘chaos’

The new bishop of Kilmore diocese has said that despite the Church being “thrown into chaos” due to Covid-19 “we go forward into the unknown” trusting in Christ.

Bishop Martin Hayes was ordained on Sunday, September 20 at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim in Cavan.

The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh was the principal consecrator and Papal Nuncio Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo and Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA were the co-consecrators for this ordination.

Speaking of the current pandemic and the challenges it continues to bring, Bishop Hayes said: “In truth we are all in a time of transition; our old order has not just been disturbed, we have been thrown into chaos, there is no going back to the old order and so we are in disorder.  Yes, we are having conversations, discussions, formulating plans and roadmaps, changing them, rewriting them, floundering, coming up with new plans – we are realising that we are not totally in charge of our own destiny.

“The chaos brought about by Covid-19 has affected all our plans, my plans, yet I have been hearing a voice saying, ‘it will all work out’!

“There have been times that I asked, does that voice know what it is saying? Indeed, as I reflect upon how my life has changed in the past few months, I have asked myself do I know what is ahead?  The answer is ‘No’!  Is it going to work out for me, for us?  Yes. It is a process.

He asked: “Where are we going?  I am not sure. We are at a crossroads, a crossroads – we have been called to reflect upon life, our priorities and we have had to make decisions. We are awaiting and entering a time of reorder in our world, as the people of planet Earth – our common home, as referred to by Pope Francis in Laudato Si’ and celebrated during September, the Church`s annual `Month of Creation`.  We go forward into the unknown, into this disorder or liminal space trusting in the Cross of Jesus Christ, the same Jesus Christ who has been with us from the beginning and who came among us to be with us, as one of us, in response to God’s love for all of us.”

Bishop Hayes said he had received a “great welcome” in Kilmore diocese and that he knew he was among a people of faith and friendship.

In his homily at the Mass, Archbishop Eamon Martin called for a ‘Family Rosary Crusade Against Covid-19’. He encourages Bishop Hayes to encourage the Faithful to pray, especially in the home.

Speaking of the importance of the domestic Church, which he described as “the Church of the sitting room and kitchen”, Archbishop Eamon said it has highlighted the vocation of parents as the primary teachers of faith and prayer in the home and family.

He said: “That is why I am calling for a ‘Family Rosary Crusade against Covid’ during the month of October. I would be grateful for your support in encouraging families here, and throughout Ireland, to pray the Rosary each day during October – or even one decade of the Rosary – for themselves, their loved ones and for all those whose health or livelihood is being seriously impacted by the coronavirus crisis.”

Archbishop Eamon said that one of Bishop Hayes tasks as bishop, both during the pandemic and in the future, “will be to build unity and to foster communion”.

“During the past six months we have seen the amazing power of social media to build connections and facilitate worship,” he said.

However, he warned that “sadly there are those who use social media to create, what Pope Francis has referred to, as ‘closed circuit’ which generate prejudice and fear, pulling and pushing others to extremes”.

“As bishop, you must discern wisely the will of God and build bridges – both online and offline.  Be a reconciler, a healer and a peacemaker. Be like a skilled ‘pruner’ in the vineyard who can carefully cultivate new and healthy growth in the branches.”