As we head into the first assembly, state borders are closed and NSW, Victoria and ACT are in lockdown. This has made gathering in person impossible in these states. Although I use MS Teams every day (the platform chosen to host the sessions), for many delegates, it is a whole new world.
The lockdown in these major cities puts all sorts of stress on our leadership. Our bishops are negotiating with governments about vaccine mandates, vaccine passports to attend Mass, and dealing with all sorts of misinformation among irate Catholics.
Lockdowns are also denying many of the lay delegates (like me) access to the Eucharist which, as ‘the source and summit’ of our lives as Catholics, is essential if we are to discern the ‘voice of the Spirit’. We need to be able to gather and share in the central practice of our faith that is the symbol of our unity in Christ.
Moreover, our church at every level (ACBC, diocese, parish) and in every area of works (schools, hospitals, welfare, movements, family etc) is in upheaval. With donation incomes decimated and deficit budgets likely for the next decade, we are effectively facing widespread and radical downsizing across all our Catholic agencies.
Wanted: Collectors for Sunday Mass. Drivers License essential.
For the record, I believe it is counter-productive to be pursuing the assembly at this time. As a Church, we need to be focusing on the fundamentals – reopening our churches, establishing access to the Sacraments and revitalising the faith of Catholics who have ‘lost the habit’ of attending Sunday Mass.
My advice (as if anybody cared!): defer the assembly for at least five years. This pandemic will probably not be over by then, but we will have a much better handle on what we are dealing with in terms of the new landscape.
That said, I am ready and willing to participate will full commitment and enthusiasm. Bring it on!
