For the next three days we present a connected series of essays by Fr Dan Donovanexploring the significant global challenges facing the institutional Church at the moment. Today, Dan looks at the changing picture of global economics and trade and the implications that has for the mission of the Church in the world. Tomorrow he asks whether the priority of putting an emphasis on a new translation of the Mass is a response to the crises facing the Church or some kind of distraction? On Saturday he explores whether the initiative to invite back conservative Anglicans is a useful way to go in replacing the many who have given up regular practice in the Catholic Church?

The changing order of things in our world...

Last May social commentator, Dr Keith Suter, who is also a lecturer at the Sydney Campus of the University of Boston, and a member of the Club of Rome[1] was a keynote speaker at an end of financial year briefing of clients by a major financial planning firm, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. Dr Suter provided a very comprehensive and informative overview of the emerging new world order and its impact upon western civilization in general and Australia in particular. He characterised the twenty-first century, as the century of China in contrast to last century which he explained was the century of United States of America. Today ninety percent of all the new cars sold in the world are sold to the Chinese who are only second to the Indians in their demand for mobile phones. China is not only a major importer of iron ore and coal but has become the world's banker with stockpiles of all currencies and has among its borrowers most of the western economies. Dr Suter stressed the significance of China and India as players in the world economy and the need to be aware of the strength of Africa to complete the trio as the emerging world powers.

Dr Keith Suter promo pic from 2GB.

The United States, England and the countries of the European Community have spent beyond their means and now wallow in levels of debt which have undermined their status as financial and political powers. Dr Suter stressed that the PIIGS countries (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain) were in debt because they were allowed to adopt the Euro as their unit of currency.[2] Thus it can be safely concluded that the Vatican finds itself currently embroiled in the same problems as the rest of Europe with this difference, the Vatican does not have the capacity to improve its productivity since it is not per se an economy but must rather depend on financial returns from the world Church.

The Vatican has a financial problem because it is a quaint city state within the city of Rome and as such it is the Rip van Winkle of the twenty-first century. Crippled with a bloated bureaucracy and a poor cash flow, the Vatican is unable to insulate itself against European debt and the plummeting Euro. As a city state the Vatican will experience more keenly the devaluation of the Euro than its neighbours who can trade their way through the crisis. So what can the Vatican do to offset its geographical and financial woes as part of debt stricken Europe and a new world order dominated by China and India?

The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the West...

In 2009 the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) developed in the financial institutions of the United States and quickly spread to become a global crisis. World stock exchanges crashed and governments rushed to underwrite their banks and secure their funds. The crisis had been sparked by the sub-prime lending policy of banks in the US and the inability of their clients to be able to service their loans. Gradually, the trust which is the heart of world banking was corroded and banks were unprepared to risk making loans, even to other banks. In this atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust investors rushed to withdraw their assets from stock exchanges for the more secure gold standard.

Australia, by and large, had three important factors which shielded it from the worst effects of the GFC:

• Firstly, the Howard/Costello Government left Australia debt free and with a budget surplus.
• Secondly, the Australian banks were not in debt and were turning significant yearly profits. There were four big banks with considerable cash reserves rather than a rash of small banks (such as in US) with limited cash reserves. Australian banks were not about to fall over with debt as did banks in US, UK and Europe.
• Thirdly, the Australian economy was the envy of the rest of the world because it was in the throughs of a commodities boom with China buying up all the coal and iron ore[3] mined in order to fuel its massive building programs. Australia unlike other coal producing countries, exports the bulk of its coal and mainly to China and all indications are that this situation will continue for some years yet, as China rolls out its modernisation program and is fast becoming the steel capital of the world.

Australia a safe-haven for investors...

With the prospects of further financial crises around the world, Australia was viewed as a safe place to invest and to cash in on the commodities boom. Europe in particular was plunging further into debt as countries like Greece continued to live beyond their means. Financial planners report that as early as 2006, European money was flowing into Australian property and financial investments but by 2008 it had become a veritable torrent as the Rudd Government relaxed the conditions on foreign investment in Australia. One of the results of the lifting of these conditions was 'property banking'.[4] Australia was considered as 'low risk' and with a stable government world investors seized the opportunity to invest in the developing economies of China and India through Australia.[5]

Even groups like Opus Dei availed themselves of the relaxing of the conditions on foreign investment in Australia to move their funds from counties such as Spain and Italy and invest in Australia. Significantly, the Archdiocese of Sydney has had the services of an ex-chair of the Review Board of Foreign Investment in Australia. Foreign funds would appear to have been secured in capital projects which will continue to yield better than bank interest in the years ahead. For example the plan to convert a country private surgical hospital into an aged care home because such facilities return a better profit for investors. Likewise the construction of a Catholic crematorium in Sydney is a sound investment, as there will always be a demand for its services.

Opus continues to tighten its grip on finance, education and journalism, not only within the Archdiocese but also within the wider community. These three strategic institutions of society figure prominently in the Opus Dei agenda for the politico-religious control of countries and local Churches.[6]

Domus Australia: 'pilgrim centre for aussies in Rome' as it was described by the Cardinal's own paper, The Catholic Weekly. Critics of the Cardinal's style of rebuilding the institutional Church have dubbed it "Chez Pell".

It appears that the GFC has created the general impression in Europe and specifically in the Vatican that Australia is the new US with unlimited wealth waiting to be harnessed by the cash strapped countries (including the Vatican) of Europe. The recent acquisition of Domus Australia (nicknamed 'Chez Pell' by some critics) as a proposed destination for pilgrims and the batch of kitsch Australian art intended to adorn the centre and its chapel would have warmed the hearts of those Vatican officials feeling the pinch of an insolvent Europe.

While the world nervously views the European financial meltdown as the possible trigger for a double dip recession, the leaders of the Catholic Church have again demonstrated their inability to read the signs of the times. While the Smith Family is concerned with caring for the needs of some 680,000 underprivileged Australian children, the Catholic Church is concerned about developing a Mass text to distinguish clearly between the priesthood of the ordained minister and the priesthood of the laity. The problem with priesthood today is not doctrinal but rather a matter of relevancy[7] it is almost as if some of the clergy inhabit a parallel universe of power and privilege. The preface of the feast of Christ the King understands that his priesthood and kingship are not necessarily the domain of specific individuals or group within the community but belong to the 'Father's anointed' and his whole body which continue his mission in the world.

If there were ever a need or a time to tinker with the wording of the Missal then this is certainly not it. With the cost of living rising and daily reports on the plight of the 'working poor,' the Catholic hierarchy is preparing to spend millions of dollars on a Mass text to address concerns which are more imaginary than real. Mothers and children forced to live in cars. Families evicted from their homes because they cannot meet their mortgage payments. Elderly Australians forced to decide between 'eating or heating their homes in winter' as they strive to eke out their limited funds. Yet Church leaders pursue their agenda of printing a new translation of the Mass to ensure doctrinal purity. It is very hard to argue doctrinal points (no matter how basic) with persons who lack basic human necessities. To reiterate the Church must address the issue of relevancy rather than an issue of linguistic analysis even in the matter of doctrine. Paul reminded the early Galatians that there was not any justifications for divisions within the community because its unity was 'in Christ' (Gal 3:28).

FOOTNOTES:
[1] Dr Suter is a regular guest on Channel 7 Sunrise and 2GB with Brian Wilshire on Monday nights.
[2] To the PIIGS group of countries must be added the Vatican which is closely linked to the Italian economy and the Euro crisis, so PIIGS is really PIIGS-V in which the Roma Numeral, 'V', indicates the Vatican. Western Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom are all suffering from crippling debt and it has been pointed out that the U.K. if it had adopted the Euro would be in the same position as Greece. The financial shift from the West to the East (China and India) mirrors the demographic shift in the Catholic Church resulting in an explosion of members in the developing world. The recent attempts by Pope Benedict XVI to woo back 'the disaffected' or those who have broken communion with Rome and the recruiting of Anglican parishes in the United States and the United Kingdom would suggest an all out effort to boost the dwindling numbers of Catholics in the West. Even if these strategies to bolster numbers are successful they will only delay the Church's addressing the central issue namely the inability of a Western European Authority to communicate with and understand the peoples and cultures of the East. China is already demanding that Vatican authorities appoint as bishops, government approved candidates. See John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge (2009), God is back: How the global rise of faith is changing the world, London, UK: Penguin Books, p 4-5.
[3] Terry McCrann, (June 5-6 2010),'A case of supply and demand,' in The Weekend Australian, p.40,
In 2003-2004 our exports to China totalled $10billion. By 2008-09 they had leapt to $39 billion.
Dr Keith Suter also believes that the GFC proved that Australia can survive without the backing of the US economy. For the first time in history the US went into recession but Australia did not follow. 'The US got the cold but for the first time Australia did not sneeze.'
[4] 'Property Banking' describes the situation as overseas' investors purchase land or homes and then close them and return to their own country. Eventually, the foreign buyers return to find that a property bought for perhaps $1million could have appreciated in value to a possible $2.75 million. However the Rudd Government had to re-impose conditions on foreign investment in Australia earlier this year (2010) because the unbridled foreign investment in Australian real estate was impacting adversely on the Australian domestic home market.
[5] The May budget with its economic mayhem and possible super tax on Australian commodities has resulted in an unwillingness of Chinese business to pay more tax to the Australian government and the sudden withdrawal of foreign investment is reflected in the value of the Australian dollar from 0.943 cents US in April 2010 to 0 .814 cents US by June 2010 although there has been some recovery by the AUD in recent days. Some financial commentators suggest that the Australian dollar might be caught in a 'downward trajectory' unless the present federal government can overturn the current uncertainty of a supertax on mining and especially the retrospective dimension of the tax. This retrospective application of the tax has done much to undermine Australia's reputation as a place to do business because world business will not invest in projects in a country which can change the rules retrospectively.
[6] On May 22-23 2010, The Weekend Australian carried an article by Ms Tess Livingstone on the 'new translation' of the Mass by Vox Clara. The article is a wealth of historical and doctrinal inaccuracies some of which will be more detailed later. She states 'As Vox Clara president, he (Cardinal Pell) chaired all 20 meetings in Rome, studying thousands of pages and clocking up more than 650,000km in flights to and from the Eternal City.' It is no wonder that the Vatican believes that Australia is the new United States in the Pacific with a monopoly on Chinese trade. Then World Youth Day (WYD08), the millions spent by both Federal and State Governments supported such an impression of a wealthy country and a fortiori a wealthy Church. The homeless were moved away from the Cathedral and Sydney during the Pope's visit. Yet the Pope did not visit the Sydney hospitals which continue to consign pregnant women to miscarry in toilets or public transport systems which are dysfunctional.
Livingstone writes that Cardinal Pell considers '...the printing of the Missal is the end of a challenging but immensely rewarding chapter of his life.' But at what cost does this 'immensely rewarding chapter' in the Cardinal's life, come for the Archdiocese of Sydney? By contrast with this 'immensely rewarding chapter' in the Cardinal's life, there are many not so rewarding chapters around the Archdiocese such as the reprehensible treatment of the Redfern parish and the canonical provisions on parish boundaries preventing a group of elderly persons in a hostel from having Mass (to name only two.) Sacraments were always considered to be 'propter homines' (for people) and never the reverse. Liturgy is not a time for 'deeper understanding of theology' or doctrine (for that matter) but rather a time for participating in the mystery of Jesus and owning the 'dangerous memory of Jesus' who gave himself (sacrifice) for all (Lk 22:24-28). Livingstone (if she is quoting Cardinal Pell accurately) appears to confirm the general impression of ordinary Catholics that the Cardinal is out of touch with them and their reality. People want orthopraxis or actions rather than words (Mt 7:20-21).
Harry Kewell's photo on the cover of Wish (June 2010) posing with a soccer ball seems to have a parallel to the photo of Cardinal Pell posing with his Missal (The Weekend Australian May 22-23). While it is true that the Pell photo was published prior to the Kewell shot but is there still a rather perverse parallel? Will Pell and his Missal share a similar fate to Kewell and his efforts at the Soccer World Cup? Australian Catholics are rather savvy today and will not be taken for granted!
Has the Church taken the path of the current political parties, selling brands of Church leadership as in the chants; 'JP II—we love you' or 'BXVI — U.R.Fun'?
[7] George B. Wilson (2008), Clericalism: The death of priesthood, Collegeville Mn: Liturgical Press. This is an excellent overview of the problem of clericalism in the Church today. The impact on the community is not doctrinal but rather about relevancy. See also Joe Rigert (2008), An Irish tragedy: How sex abuse by Irish priests helped cripple the Catholic Church, Baltimore Md: Crossland Press.
Finally, there is an episode in The Simpsons, where Marge Simpson volunteers to help the Minister, Reverend Lovejoy, with parish work. Marge becomes an over the phone counsellor but before long all the members of the parish are turning to Marge with their problems rather than approaching the minister.
REFERENCES:
Collins, R., (2009), Keepers of the keys of Heaven, London UK: Phoenix Paperbacks.
Corner, S.,(1973), Captain Cook and Australia, Sydney NSW: V.C.N. Blight, Government
Frowde, H., The Book of Common Prayer, London UK: Oxford University Press
McBrien, R., (2000), Lives of the Popes, San Francisco Ca: Harper.
McDowell, B.,(1991), Inside the Vatican, Washington DC: National Geographic Society.
Mesiti, P., (1997), Attitudes and attitudes: The dynamics of 21st century leadership, Baulkham Hills NSW: Pat Mesiti Ministries Inc.
Micklethwait, J&A. Wooldridge, (2009), God is back: How the global rise of faith is changing the world, New York NY: Penguin Books.
Morton, S., (1995), China: Its history and culture, New York NY: National Geographic Society.
Rigert, J., (2008), An Irish tragedy: How sex abuse by Irish priests helped cripple the Catholic Church, Baltimore Md: Crossland Press.
Wilson, G.,(2008), Clericalism: The death of priesthood, Collegeville Mn: Liturgical Press.
Photo Credits:
Clicking on the other images in the article will take you to the original source.

©2010 Fr Daniel Donovan

[Index of Commentaries by Dan Donovan]