EDITOR'S ROUND-UP

Saturday, 27 September 2008

The tension between the need for Truth and the need for Certitude…

Dear Friends,

Ian Elmer drives to the heart of what I see as the pre-eminent tension in the Catholic Church today — the one identified by Bishop Geoffrey Robinson — the tension between those who see their faith as primarily a search for security through certitudes and those who primarily see it as a search for truth. As you probably appreciate, this is one of my "hobby horses". While I agree, in the broad principle, with Dr Elmer's assertion that "we must always rely upon the witness of the tradition as preserved by the guardians of the apostolic succession", I'd also question his confidence in the particular leadership from time to time. For example, I honestly do think our present Pope, Benedict XVI, is too concerned with social conformity and providing a sense of certitude — endeavouing to preserve the assertion that the institutional leadership never make mistakes — rather than really guiding the faithful as to how they search for those practical moral truths that lead to salvation. I do have faith that the broad Church, over time (and long periods of time) does get it right. That's "the body of Christ" though. It is not a claim that I am willing to stick on any particular pope or any particular magisterium at a particular point in time. We are all riven by the claims of our egos and the claims of our past pains in life — yes, even popes and Sts Paul, Peter and James — and our need for certitude. This is a thought-provoking commentary from Dr Elmer that links the present to our past — our earliest foundational tensions and conflicts. <Link to this thought-provoking commentary by Ian Elmer>

Why I'm a Jesus Freak… Music and the emotions have long been seen as "entry points" into the spiritual journey. In this beautiful, grungy essay Daniel Gullotta shares with us some of his passion for music and for the spiritual. Is contemporary music a-spiritual, or even satanic and destructive of the human spirit, or does it offer something of spiritual value? <more>

Providing the Eucharist when there are no priests left to do so... Vince Exley lives in a beautiful but remoter part of this continent where the threat of not having enough priests to celebrate the Eucharist regularly is a very real prospect in the not-too-distant future. He argues passionately for an alternative to closing parishes or offering priestless "communion services"... <more>

Veritas Vincit! Andrew Kania entitled this reflection "Veritas Vincit". In English it translates as "Truth Conquers". Most honest people would proclaim a hope that they would die to defend other members of their families. Most of us would proclaim a hope that we would even stand up for some truths in the face of a threat of death. Today's reflection examines a number of important ideas — for example, what "truths" would we honestly put our lives on the line to defend … terrorists proclaim they are seeking martyrdom to defend some truth but do we approve of their actions and hail them as heroes? Dr Kania poses the question rather than answers it: what truths are worth dying for? The real nub of his reflection though is that, in the final analysis, martyrdom is not about dying at all — nor is it even about suffering. He posits that its about being unwilling to stuff around with "truth" in our ordinary, everyday lives! What do you think? <more>

8.3: Looking in more detail at the writing attributed to Paul and Mark… Over the next week or so Tom Lee is examining in more detail the origins and background to the New Testament writings that did become proclaimed as divinely inspired. Today the emphasis is on the writing of Paul and Mark. Next week he looks at Matthew. <more>

Why people have become disillusioned with the institution… The headline says "A Confession" but this commentary from Tom McMahon is not the one about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His thought-train is still stuck at the Baptism Station. This commentary is a further personal confession of his journey from one form of ministry to another. Many who have become disenchanted with the institution will empathise with what he writes. Also included today is an audio commentary from another priest — or should that be 'pastor'? — who has made a similar journey, Michael Morwood. After you've read Tom's commentary you might like to reflect further on Michael Morwood's words which speaks to the heart of those who have lost faith in the institution but who have not lost faith in Jesus. <more>

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life or in our world!

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher