When last Sunday I wrote my commentary titled ‘Ecclesiastical blood transfusions: Take 2’ I never imagined that during the weekend the ecclesiastical body in Malta would receive a good and healthy blood transfusion.
This came in the form of a pastoral letter penned by Bishop Mario Grech and released to the faithful on the feast of Santa Marija. This pastoral letter is first grade. It is perhaps the best thing published in these islands in preparation for the upcoming Synod of Bishops in October. Our two dioceses will be represented by Grech.
This pastoral letter has a heart, and a big one at that. Its style is so humane that it should touch anyone who reads it. In it Grech clearly shows that he has the pulse of his flock. He feels the pain of what many are going through behind closed doors. The content and style of the pastoral letter shows that he really cares for those who feel excluded from the flock but most of all it is an example that he loves those who suffer.
The opening paragraphs are particularly vibrant and realistic description of families today. Some are “a haven of love and a truly human shelter” while others are marred by solitude, misery, wounds and failure. The fact that these paragraphs take a leaf from the Synod’s preparatory document does not reduce the warmth of the poetic prose used.
No one can fault Grech for not being strong on doctrine. He clearly emphasises that the Church does not and will not abandon the teaching on the indissolubility of marriage as some unnecessarily fear. But alongside this teaching, he also highlights the doctrine of mercy which is at the heart of pastoral solicitude.
He goes on to show how the Church is obliged to act in a pastorally innovative way when faced with the problem of the remarried without a declaration of nullity. Grech indicated those are “divorced and remarried who still long for Christ”.
The operative word in this sentence is innovative. Grech briefly refers to examples from the Fathers of the Church of innovative and mercy-inspired pastoral initiatives in contrast to the position of those who took uncompromising stances. A lengthier look at the history of the development of Church teaching and practice on marriage and the family will clearly show that what was considered impossible in a particular age became mainstream in subsequent ones.
Bishop Mario Grech’s pastoral letter is first grade
Should the Church today consider further developments? There have always been ‘pastoral’ initiatives but many times these were constrained by a legalistic attitude and not a truly pastoral one. We have let the letter of the law hamper its spirit for too long a time.
Grech says that the “certain barriers” that exist should be removed through the help of merciful God who “touches the open and bleeding wounds to heal them”.
And he continues: “God forbid that we sinners decide who can climb onto the Barque [of Peter] and who should remain ashore.”
He rightly insists that everyone is welcome in the Church. This truth, which Grech buttressed by reference to Pope Francis, can also be very easily strengthened by the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. During a visit to Milan in 2012 Benedict had said that the Catholic community should “do whatever is possible to help them [divorced and remarried] to feel loved and accepted, to feel that they are not excluded”.
One of the big questions facing the Synod Fathers this October is whether the doing of “whatever is possible” includes the reception of communion in certain clearly specified instances.
Pastoral letters such as this is clear evidence that there are pastors who, encouraged by the words of different popes and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are ready to explore territories that could not be explored for a long stretch of time.
In his pastoral letter Bishop Grech was prudent for he did not raise false hopes or expectations but kindled the flame of hope. Above all, he showed that he is a shepherd that listens to his sheep.
In the past months the Archdiocese of Malta beecame once more an important interlocutor in the public sphere both through the instant reactions of the Archbishop to current issues and the publication of expert position papers, such as on the vilification of religion.
This was a very positive development, but unfortunately on Santa Marija we witnessed a negative incident. During the Pontifical Mass celebrated in Mosta’s Rotunda, the Archpriest decided to do an Oliver Twist. Not being happy enough with the news that the Archbishop will be annually celebrating the Santa Marija liturgy in the Mosta parish church, the Archpriest sprung a surprise on the Archbishop: Sir, please can I have some more? This more is the request that Mosta parish church is given the title of a basilica.
Had the year been 1950, no one would have batted an eyelid. But since the year is 2015, the request triggered a justified negative response from many who consider it as a throwback to the Malta of the 1950s and Gozo of the 1970s. How is it possible that there are those who yearn to build the Church of the future by emulating passé things from decades ago?
Besides, if Mosta becomes a basilica, why not Naxxar and Mellieħa and Rabat? One look at the comments board on the internet is a clear indication that the flames of pique have been unnecessarily kindled.
I sincerely want to believe that this basilica business is a solitary fluke caused by the summer heat and festa enthusiasm but does not reflect the general feeling in the Archdiocese.
Otherwise, God help us and please be quick as there is real reason to fear that the new rites of spring I wrote about last March could be shortlived while a bleak autumn could take over.
joseph.borg@um.edu.mt