Christina Malone
Last year my children and I started reading the children’s Bible (again). We made our way from Adam and Eve to Moses, Noah, Ruth, Daniel and many others.
Moses was the one that sparked endless discussions and questions for days after. My girls were astounded that he built a tabernacle big enough that it had two parts. One for the men to pray and the other one, called the Holy of Holies, for where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.
My children were confused by reading that only men were allowed inside. Lily made the point that is was not fair considering God created everyone the same. It took me a lot of time to explain. I tried to put it into context, those were different times, different ways of living and the best I could come up with was comparing it with my own experience. They were shocked to hear that their aunt, my sister, was one of the first female altar servers in my home parish in Germany about 35 years ago. They could not understand that in the olden days, as they call it, girls were not allowed to be altar servers and it made no sense whatsoever to them that the mass was in Latin. My daughters could not get their heads around this. During those chats I realised how much the Church has changed. Of course changes are slow. Many still have to discover the full meaning of the documents of Vatican II. These conversations with my own children made me reflect further. I wonder what the Church might look like when my children are my age!
I grew up in Germany and have seen and experienced the importance of collaboration, laity, in particular women in leadership, the importance of parish pastoral councils and more. I often say, the German Church is 20 years ahead of Irish Church and I believe the synodal way in Germany will give direction for western countries. Changes are needed. We need to accept that.
Recently I was asked to join the task force called ‘Building Hope’ for the Archdiocese of Dublin. Archbishop Dermot Farrell asked the taskforce “to develop a pastoral strategy that supports parish communities of faith to undertake a radical renewal, looking to the future of creativity, to enable the Archdiocese of Dublin to act now so as to give witness and service in the years ahead”.
Everyone is invited to take part, every voice counts. Make the most of this opportunity and make your voices heard. Synodality has become the new word within the Church, walking together, discerning, consulting, listening to each other. In October, Pope Francis will open a three-year synodal journey with three phases (diocesan, continental, universal). Every diocese is asked to reach out to all the people of God. Archbishop Farrell has started already and is reaching out to you. Let him know what ‘your’ Church looks like in years to come.
The Church can change. Remember, the Mass used to be in Latin and maybe you or your parents were not allowed to take an active ministry within the Church as it was unknown, not allowed or just not supported. Who would have thought a Pope could step down?
Changes have been happening but as we all know changes are slow. Only in 2000 the ministry of deacons became a reality for many men. Today there are over 100 ordained deacons in Ireland. We have to be open minded and explore what the future can look like. You are asked “What does the Church look like in 10, 20 years’ time?” Dream big – nothing is impossible for God.
Throughout history many of our brothers and sisters had to let go of the old and embrace the new. But God never left their sides. In Pope Francis’ document ‘Rejoice and Be Glad’ he calls for Holiness for all believers. Pope Francis made it very clear after the Synod on Families that the Church should not be a stuffy “museum of memories” but have the courage to change if that was what God wanted. Or as Pope John XXIII said as he opened the Second Vatican Council, it was time to “open the windows and let in the fresh air”.