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Church Reform
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Lots of proposals have been put forward for the reform of the Church in Ireland: we must elect the bishops, end ‘clericalism’, ordain women as priests, abandon Catholic teaching on sex, and so on.
Even people with no love whatever for the Church feel they have something to offer; and don’t hesitate about using their position in the media or politics to offer it!
But true renewal has to focus on one key question: what does Christ want? It is his Church after all. And we know what he wants: deep holiness in all members of the Church, we are called to be saints, and a strong commitment to mission.
These are issues not just for Church leaders, but for every member of the Church—renewal begins with each one of us.
It includes personal and family prayer, reverent participation in Mass, and care for the sick, the poor and those who are suffering.
It means living according to the teaching of the Church, not making our own rules as we go along, to suit ourselves, having our hope fixed on heaven, and so on.
Renewal of the mission must be founded on a deep commitment to Church teaching, in Catholic groups as well as at a personal level.
Yet some Church institutions and agencies are simply no longer Catholic—neither in goals nor in principles.
Many schools, colleges, magazines, are Catholic in name only. They are literally a scandal, a stumbling block, leading the young astray. Radical reform is necessary here.
But renewal is above all about each of us finding joy in our love for Christ and his Church, and being on fire to share this with others.
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