Notes on Elaine Clark’s synod sharing: 4/7/22 By Barb Kearney-Schupp
Bringing a medieval stance to our world/Church today does not make sense. We know one another at St. Pat’s, and have been through previous difficult times. We are in a most vulnerable place right now. Our world is in a vulnerable place. Deep religious integrity, linked to the signs of these times, is necessary for human survival and well-being of all living things. The institutional church is not God, but rather a vehicle to journey toward God-given fullness of life. God is able to cope with deep questions about the church, as should its leaders.
She believes we are a community meant to confront the system. We are summoned to trust that the Spirit is bigger than the institutional church, and we need to hold the hierarchy’s feet to the fire. She’s been meeting people who have stopped going to church, who say they are spiritual and not religious. What causes people to leave? What’s going on that is making the Church be “out of joint?” St. Pat’s is a small parish. Small is where we can support one another. We need communities like this to get beyond individualism and getting people to care about each other.
Disturbing about current Catholicism
Language: certain required language, the imagery of 3rd century Rome (and translated into colonial English) doesn’t fit my lived experience, scientific understanding or a way of prayer I can relate to.
Structure not what Jesus intended / men only
Rule bound / out of balance
Hierarchy does not listen to the people / who we are
No input in our leadership
Women are not empowered
We are the Church and have rights
Lack morality of authority / clerics
Hierarchy has monopoly on ‘the way’
if only one way / no growth
fear of anything new
if only one way - idolatry
Faith Filling
Liturgies: liturgical movement / song / signing / peace drum which is appropriate to the readings / celebration
Community: growth / ups and downs of life
Laity is educated
Deaf, deaf / blind come to St. Pat’s because they are part of our community
Everyone is involved in parish life