Sir, – Not intending to make petty use of Scripture, I believe two verses of the Gospel can be used at beginning of a so-called “Catholic Spring”. One, quoting Mary, which Liam O’Mahony (January 4th) inappropriately refers to as having received virtual deification, when she says to the servants the wedding in Cana, “Do what ever he tells you.” (John 2: 5)
Any reform in the Church must be rooted in Jesus Christ with the intention of following him and making God’s kingdom a reality in this world. This begins by listening to what he teaches and having that as the model of living. A Catholic Spring will only come about when believers, clerical or lay, accept and follow Christ’s agenda, not their own. The people once said, “This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?” (John 6: 60) The Church is Christ’s Body, ignore that and reform, or the desire for reform is a waste of everyone’s time. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Julie Timmins (“Women and the priesthood”, January 3rd) is surprised that I, as an academic, accept things like a male priesthood because they are doctrinal (December 20th). She should note that I also accept other doctrines like the Nicene Creed and proclamations of human rights.
She has a curious notion of academic if it means being unable to accept doctrine.
What is interesting is her delight that the ordination of women would contribute “to the end of patriarchal and misogynistic institutions which are well past their use by date”, by which, I presume, she means the Catholic Church.
Some of the letters dealing with the “Catholic Spring” seem more desirous of the passing of the church than its revitalisation. Others are naively optimistic and should note that its model, the “Arab Spring” has emboldened Islamic fundamentalism. – Yours, etc,