Parramatta NCP Convention 2010 was certainly worth a peep. Just over 250 priests from across Australia registered for these days together. Friendships were renewed, stories told and strategies shared.
There was energy, a strong sense of pastoral discernment and a rugged realism that characterized the gathering.
Donald Cozzens was certainly the draw card for many. Once held in derision for daring to name clerical abuse, the chickens have come home to roost, and even high places reluctantly own the issue now.
Even here in Australia, where Tom Boland many years ago described the gem treasured by Australian priests as “the quest for pastoral intimacy”, we need to be made aware of the deficiencies of ingrained clericalism.
Matthew names it in his Gospel and we must continually attend to it within ourselves.
The brilliance of Richard Lennan has sent me back to read his text, and follow through his theological notion of “interruption” in life, as a signal to be still and assess ministry. There is much “interruption” to be found in the ministerial life of the Church today. The media have noted sexual dysfunction within our ranks, our value and integrity have been questioned and the drastic shortage of priests is being felt everywhere.
The possibility of married and parttime priests, together with the issue of ordained women, cannot simply be dismissed as out of order. As Richard Lennan put it, “What does our God seem to say to us, in these interruptions”?
David Tacey’s exploration was superb. A clever academic but a searching believer who chose to join the Catholic Church, a place and people who have not always welcomed his work.
We resonated with his view that the Spirit of God is at work in literature, music and life’s experiences. The spirituality of the human person is not far from the Kingdom of God.
Meals are so important at our conventions. Conversations flowed as perspectives were exchanged. One strategist remarked at the end of prolonged discussion on the disquiet about the fast approaching new MASS texts – “We could ignore them, as they ignore us”!
We were spared incessant noise and words. The reflective Reconciliation Service in the Cathedral, first thing after breakfast one morning, was deeply appreciated. There the Church bell called us out of silence into community prayer.
Donald Cozzens remarked how he enjoyed the irreverence of Australian priests, prepared to name the inadequacies of our work place, but with laconic regret rather than bitterness.
Fellows seem to look for a way through rather than to sulk and obstruct. The mood was up not down.
The final dinner that saw Geoffrey Robinson honoured for his integrity and determination to confront power and abuse in our Church was a sacramental moment. A standing ovation, prolonged applause and a man worn by the years quietly clutching a plaque of recognition that meant more to him than a silver or gold. A restorative moment for all of us.
We celebrated the launch of the brief history of the NCP with Damien Wiliams, and were thankful we belong to a movement that nurtures, supports and refreshes.
Michael Elligate
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson
