Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishop Mario Grech after their ad limina visit to the See of Peter is intriguing. It leaves many doors open for a healthy discussion on the Church’s relevant contribution to our society.
I do not agree with simplistic arguments that merely attempt to sideline the Church. The latter still remains a powerful influencing factor within the heart of many Maltese and Gozitans. What we really need is to continually keep reading the signs of the times. Rash generalisations destroy but responsible discernment gives life.
The first person in the diocese who needs to care for his permanent formation is the bishop. Are our bishops having much time to pray and reflect in order that their public appearances are deeply imbued with God’s Spirit? Similarly, the Pope encouraged us priests to “deepen (our) commitment to prayer and study, so that in (our) preaching and teaching (we) can communicate the word of God with wisdom and pastoral charity”.
Why are many people bored by our homilies? Why are they almost nauseated by senseless repetitions, unconvincing life application of God’s Word and irrelevant way of communicating? Are some of us prepared to live the Catholicity of their priesthood by ministering abroad?
Are the lay faithful transmitting the Christian lifestyle by the way they live? Are they defending life from the moment of conception, showing solidarity with the less fortunate and working for justice and peace? Does it suffice to just have prepared teachers and catechists who simply have good intentions to help God’s Kingdom flourish without actually rolling up their sleeves and start doing something? Is it simply keep doing what we always did or else cast our nets deep?
In his letter, the Pope said that although “Malta is blessed with a rich tradition of Catholic faith and practice... there is always room for further growth and renewal”. Following the example of the late Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, the Church in Malta needs to learn how to dialogue more with both believers and non-believers. Do we acknowledge that inside the Church there is a dire need of opening up to the working of the Holy Spirit?
Are we confident that if the Church truly believes and prays heartily Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit) the same Spirit will show us new sound paths for upholding the institution of marriage, enlightening the human procreation debate and fostering a culture of forgiveness, faithfulness and openness towards others?