Letter from the Australian Bishops to the Catholic people of Australia
by Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Catholic Bishops reflect on recent trip to Rome
Letter from the Australian Bishops to the Catholic people of Australia
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
1. During November and December 1998 the Australian bishops took part in three separate meetings in Rome that were significant for the Church in this country. Conflicting reports about these meetings have caused confusion, hurt and anger for many. In seeking to respond to these feelings, we believe it is important to consider all three meetings together.
2. Firstly, the Synod of Bishops for Oceania was held over a period of three weeks. The Australian bishops spoke there about matters close to their hearts and the interests of their people.
3. Secondly, every five years the diocesan bishops of Australia are required to travel to Rome, where each presents a report on the state of his diocese and meets with the Pope and various officials of the Vatican. At the end of these visits, the Pope addresses the assembled bishops. For the convenience of the Australian bishops, this year's visit was held at the same time as the Synod.
4. Thirdly, as part of the five-yearly visit of the diocesan bishops, the heads of six of the Vatican Congregations expressed the wish to meet with a representative group of the Australian bishops to discuss certain matters concerning the pastoral situation of the Church in Australia. Fifteen Australian bishops met with twelve representatives of the Vatican over a period of four days in the week before the Synod began. From these discussions a Statement of Conclusions was drawn up and signed by Vatican and Australian representatives. In presenting the document to all the Australian bishops during the last days of the Synod Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger described it as "a fair representation of the dialogue that took place during the interdicasterial meeting regarding some of the doctrinal and pastoral issues challenging the Church in Australia."
5. In his address to the Australian bishops, Pope John Paul II said, "The Church in Australia faces a complex situation which calls for careful discernment on the part of the Bishops, and a confident and committed response on the part of all Catholics." He added, "I earnestly recommend to your prayer and reflection, to your responsibility and action, the document which summarises your meetings with the various Dicasteries of the Holy See."
6. During the ordinary biannual meeting of the Australian bishops from 6th to 15th April 1999, those who were present at the meeting with the Vatican representatives were able to give a fuller report to the other bishops of all that took place in the discussions. We then discussed all three events that took place in Rome and we sought to begin the process of prayer, reflection, discernment, responsibility and action that the Pope asked of us directly and personally.
7. A synod and a five-yearly visit to Rome are both moments of appraisal, and any good appraisal will look at both positive and negative elements in an organization. At both the Synod and the meeting with the Vatican representatives the Australian bishops present consistently and forcefully indicated the great strengths of the Australian Church and the admirable dedication of clergy, religious and lay people in so many fields. Both the Synod speeches and the Statement of Conclusions contain abundant proof of this profound conviction of the Australian bishops and of its acceptance by the Vatican representatives.
8. At the same time, no appraisal stops at positive aspects if it wishes to see people grow stronger and more able in their work. Both the Australian bishops and the Vatican officials, therefore, spoke frankly of the problems they perceived. Pope John Paul, also recognising these problems, encouraged us to further reflection and action. It is right that we be periodically challenged and it is part of the role of Peter's successor to do just that.
9. By most measurable criteria such as religious affiliation, church attendance, vocations, marriage in church etc., secularisation is making great inroads in Australia. This indicates a crisis of faith. Within the Church there are different understandings of the person of Jesus Christ, the nature of the Church, the role of conscience and various moral problems, and not all understandings are in agreement with Catholic teaching. Some less than appropriate practices can at times take place at liturgical celebrations. Clergy, religious and laity are all going through a period of profound change and it should not cause wonder if tensions arise.
10. The Pope asked for "a confident and committed response on the part of all Catholics", while the Statement of Conclusions reminds bishops that they "may not tolerate error in matters of doctrine and morals or Church discipline", but also that they should strive "to correct errors, not by blunt use of authority, but through dialogue and persuasion."
11. Some groups have initiated a deliberate and intrusive surveillance of clergy and liturgical celebrations. While Catholics have a right to be heard, such tactics are not acceptable to most Australians. Instead, we encourage a constructive dialogue that builds harmony.
12. The Third Rite of Reconciliation has become the focus of a great deal of attention and debate. While the widespread use of this rite in some dioceses has been governed by the best of pastoral intentions, the Pope has personally indicated to the Australian bishops that such widespread use is not in keeping with the universal Church's understanding of the sacrament of Reconciliation. He spoke of the personal nature of sin, conversion, forgiveness and reconciliation and directed that the use of the Third Rite be kept strictly within the conditions laid down by Church law. We accept this directive.
13. The Synod and the five-yearly visit have reminded us of both strengths and weaknesses in our Church. It is now time for the prayer, reflection, discernment, responsibility and action to which the Pope calls us. We are grateful for the dedication of so many clergy, religious and laypeople in this country. With confidence, therefore, we invite your prayerful collaboration in developing strategies to respond to the issues raised at all meetings in Rome and in discerning what the Spirit is asking of the Church in Australia at the beginning of the Third Millennium of Christianity.
Edward Cardinal Clancy
On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Australia
14 April 1999
This item 974 digitally provided courtesy of CatholicCulture.org
