There have been memorable articles that have appeared on the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland, and one of those such articles, was submitted by Father Roy Donovan this past week. The title of his entry is, The Catholic Church is Beyond Reform

This is a huge indictment for the institution and for us, the Catholic people. His concern is by and large the Irish Catholic Church, but, we all can relate to what he describes as a Church that refuses to answer the hard questions, and to correct in-house issues, like abuse and the horrific workings of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It is an extremely well written piece from the stand point of describing what many of us think and feel about the Church’s inability to change itself for the better. He claims that the Church (institution) would rather look at injustices/issues in the world, but, not address internal problems. I believe there is a scripture that speaks of this…."looking at the stick in someone else’s eye, but, not the log in your own."

He says that while Pope Francis has initiated "reforms" at a personal level, he really hasn’t done anything to correct how the Church and in particular, the CDF, conducts its’ everyday business. I’m rephrasing him. I have also stated in at least, one of my blogs, that unless, Pope Francis addresses the injustices that have occurred within the Church, and listens to the various reform voices, nothing will really change!

While there is a negative or fatalistic tone to Roy Donovon’s article, I must say that I too, have thought the very same thing, that, "The Catholic Church is Beyond Reform." I have often contemplated the condition of the Church, Institution and Congregations. It would seem to me, that the garden is over-run with weeds and the wheat has been choked! Perhaps, God has surrendered the entire ecclesial endeavour to Satan. St. Paul makes this kind of remark when he says that he had to surrender someone to Satan, because he knew, that this person was never going to accept Christ and the Truth. We, in our finite minds, can never really know how God is remedying the situation, however, we do know that scripture has Jesus cursing the fig tree, when he finds no fruit on it.

I compare the Church to the fig tree. It was summer and its green leaves were to indicate that there were figs on the tree. Alas, Jesus finds no fruit. So, the Church, Institution and Congregations can appear that they are full of green leaves, and yet, when push comes to shove, there is no spiritual fruit. The scripture is very clear that God reserves the right to destroy or tear down.

Would it be so awful, if the Catholic Church were beyond reform? God knows how to dismantle something and to rebuild it. Jesus was attempting to reform Judaism. Sometimes, the only way for new growth to come, is for the old to die. Check out a forest fire for example. Very often forest fires start naturally to burn off old trees to make room for new ones.

History shows us that empires fall and if the Church is currently built on more sand than rock, then, it is evitable that the Church is beyond reform. It might well continue to disintegrate, but, with God as the owner and builder, then, there is, likely to be new beginnings. Those new beginnings might well be in Ireland, where there has been so much renewal work done at the level of parishes, associations, and colleges.

I disagree with Father Donovan vehemently that it is "unpalatable" that Pope Francis visits Ireland or anywhere else! As I said, in last week’s blog, it is Christ’s Church, and He sends his fishers where He needs them.

While Father Roy Donovan’s entry might evoke tears, remember, that death is always followed by the resurrection. Assuming God is in charge of the vineyard, the Church, will have not only the joys and the sorrows but the fruit, as well. We go out sowing in tears, but, return rejoicing! Yes, the season of tearing down, seems long, but, I continue to hope for the rebuilding!

It is not a useless exercise to ponder about and even write about the notion, that the Catholic Church is Beyond Reform. I believe we need to know and examine the worst case scenario, so that, we explore many of the future outcomes and possibilities for the Church. We must always remember that this Church belongs to God. "He is the Vine, and we the Branches". My comments on the ACP in response to Father Roy Donovan’s article make two major points: 1. As long as there are souls that long for living bread and living water, there is a reason and a purpose for the Church, and therefore God will continue to send us out. 2. If the Church, and in this case, if the Irish Catholic Church is built on sand, as opposed to the Rock of Christ, well, there probably will not be reform. Anywhere where Christ is tearing down however, he most likely is building up! We need to be attentive and discern well, what the reforms are, that are desired by God.

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