Vince Duggan, Oceania Province Leader
In this short article I'd like to reflect on three items that have been in the news in recent weeks, and link them to our Congregation values of PRESENCE COMPASSION LIBERATION. The examples I give express something of what might guide all of us involved in Edmund Rice Networking.
1. The Royal Wedding and PRESENCE: As I listened to the homily delivered by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, it seemed to me that PRESENCE was a recurring theme. His opening words were from St Catherine of Siena, that mighty woman of a former age whose mission in life was to transform the papacy: "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire". The Bishop went on to say " A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. ...... We shall not be converted to the promise of the future by more knowledge, but rather by an increase of loving wisdom and reverence, for life, for the earth and for one another. Marriage should transform, as husband and wife make one another their work of art. It is possible to transform as long as we do not harbour ambitions to reform our partner."
"Transform" not "reform": If we took this seriously throughout our Network could it help us be more focussed on people rather than achievement?
2. The death of Osama bin Laden and COMPASSION: People danced in the streets in some parts of the world when the "911" events occurred. Now people danced in other streets when Osama bin Laden was declared to be dead. What will cause the next dancing in the streets? World-wide we will all be caught in a spiral of violence if this pattern continues. It has been heartening to note so many responses from people of all walks of life and political persuasions who are questioning the morality, the legality and the wisdom of the treatment meted out to Osama bin Laden. When they ask these questions I believe they are showing a real COMPASSION. There is no doubt that bin Laden has been responsible for countless thousands of deaths. But JUSTICE must be the basic human value expressed in any response, and true COMPASSION cannot be separated from JUSTICE.
3. The forced retirement of Bill Morris as Bishop of Toowoomba and LIBERATION: It seems that most people have been saddened by the events surrounding the early retirement of Bill Morris as Bishop of the Toowoomba Diocese. He was refused due process, he had no opportunity to face his accusers, and he cannot even see what was written in the report sent to the Vatican that led to his dismissal. We are shocked and saddened at the injustice that seems to have been at every step of this process. Bill has found support from the people of his Diocese, from some of his fellow Bishops and from many many people all over the English-speaking world (and perhaps beyond). When we offer support to one who suffers injustice it can be very liberating for them and for us, and it can lead to a groundswell that may bring conversion to those who perpetrate the injustice. Johannes Metz said that the prime purpose of religious in the Church is to be "loving critics of the Church", and I'm sure he put considerable emphasis on "loving". I'm also sure that this is not confined to religious, but is very much evident in anybody who takes their Christian vocation seriously.
A final thought/question: As I move around various part of Oceania I hear quite a few asking questions along the lines: "Are we being called to something NEW in Oceania? A new way of being? A new ministry?" These are good questions - and I'd encourage conversation and response.
Vince Duggan, Province Leader
