Sr Ilia Delio, a Franciscan theologian and recognised scholar on French Jesuit priest and philosopher Teilhard de Chardin once said, “Unless religion innovates and modifies to fit with the changing world, it won’t fulfil its potential of instilling a passion for life.” This statement speaks volumes to me, echoing my sentiments about the current state of the Catholic Church in Ireland and globally.
In Ireland, the rapid, potential demise of the Catholic Church is evident. However, my faith is anchored in the potential for revival, even if it demands a restructuring.
Roughly 12 years back, I was barred from ministry by the ecclesiastical authorities. In the initial stages of this prohibition, I addressed numerous assemblies. However, it’s been some years since I made a public speech.
Come next Wednesday, I’ll take the podium at a public forum in Galway, breaking a six-year silence. This was initially prompted by an invitation to speak at a local event, which was later withdrawn abruptly when it was discovered that my suspension extended to all church-owned properties, not just places of worship. Believing that my words might carry weight, I orchestrated my own event, choosing a location devoid of any church affiliation; a local hotel.
Recent years spent beyond the confines of religious establishments and systems have granted me an intellectual liberty. My studies, paired with this newfound freedom, have enlightened me about certain aspects accruing to our church’s decline. This revelation coincides with what I believe will be remembered as Pope Francis’s most lasting contribution, i.e., fostering an environment of open discourse and free-study within the church.
Religious faith grapples with mysteries like the existence and essence of God, the significance of life and death, and the beyond. To assertively define or make pronouncements about such unfathomable mysteries has been, and remains, a gross error.
A favourite quotation of mine from Jesuit Fr Anthony de Mello always resonates with me: “Anything we say about God is more unlike God than like God.” I can’t help but wish that such humility had been demonstrated by the initial Christian leaders; it could have prevented much of the harm caused by their imposition of unyielding dogmas throughout history.
In the 3rd and 4th centuries, church heads and academics developed rigid doctrines based on a literal reading of the Book of Genesis’s early chapters. These doctrines depicted God, His relationship with mankind, the original sin of our ancestors and the tremendous impact it had on their descendants.
We were educated on Jesus, his purpose on Earth and God’s decree that Jesus had to endure a brutal death to compensate for sins and pave the way to Heaven for all mankind. It was ingrained in us that, as a result of our forefathers’ sin, we were all born sinful and we could only restore our good standing with God through baptism. The narrative painted a sombre picture of an irate and judgemental God, which was completely at odds with the God that Jesus spoke of.
The overarching problem was that by pronouncing firm beliefs that had to be adhered to by all believers, it effectively curtailed any potential progression of thought and comprehension within the church.
From the Council of Nicea in 325 AD onwards, we’ve gained substantial knowledge about the continuous process of creation, the intricacy of the universe and human life, and our profound interconnectedness with the universe. Also, we now understand the Bible to be not so much a historical record by today’s standards, but more a statement of faith expressed through tales, allegories, and symbols.
However, such new perspectives were never allowed to direct the church’s thought process, leading to the world essentially moving on without us. This is the topic that I will explore in my forthcoming address.
Without a doubt, the subject matter at hand is challenging and far from one where I can provide a definitive conclusion. More than likely, I will leave the audience pondering over more questions than clear-cut responses. At this stage of my life in my late seventies, I am more at ease dealing with uncertainty compared to clear cut answers. Intriguingly, Pope Francis’ recent remarks point towards a similar perspective – showing little tolerance for individuals claiming to hold all the solutions.
The speaker for the evening is none other than Fr Tony Flannery, a committed Redemptorist priest. The discourse will take place at Clayton Hotel in Galway city on Wednesday, March 27th, at 7.30pm. The duration of the talk won’t be exhaustive, thereby allowing ample time for attendees to respond and engage in discussion. While there is no monetary requirement for entry, contributions on the night would be greatly appreciated to offset the expenses of hiring the hotel room.