New Vision for the Catholic Church: a view from Ireland

 

Jesuit theologian Gerry O’Hanlon reflects on the current crisis in the catholic church in Ireland and worldwide. In this book, he discusses how the vision of Church as People of God in the second Vatican Council failed to be implemented, mainly due to lack of appropriate collegial structures.

He hopes that we may focus on deepening this vision for today and embody it in new structures which will allow the full participation of lay people, women in particular. He proposes that a national assembly of the catholic church in Ireland be considered and ultimately another worldwide ecumenical council. His analysis will be of interest to all who are concerned about the current challenges we face.

There may be a great temptation to ride out the crisis, not least because everywhere we are surrounded by truly good people, who hope that with a bit of tinkering, together with a better management and communications strategy, the current basic model of church may survive.

We need to acknowledge this temptation and use the crises as an opportunity to imagine something different, new and more faithful to the gospel message and the spirit of Vatican 11.

 

Indeed, we have a serious obligation ‘not to stifle the Spirit’ (1Thess 5:19)

Hence, trusting in the guidance of God’s Spirit, hopefully we will be led to use our hearts, minds and imagination to bring about the changes necessary to be true to what God may be desiring for us at this time in history.

 

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