DEAR EDITOR: Please allow me to comment on the very profound article by Fr Henry Charleson the subject, Vocations and the Church that appeared in this paper of July 16.

I thoroughly enjoyed the article, providing much food for thought as Father Charles’ articles usually do, especially when in this case, he began speaking of “the future of  vocations” and “a well defined priesthood” which, must take into account, as he explained, “a new category of Catholic leadership (lay leadership) which has emerged, and has already transformed much of Church life”.

His revelation of the definition of the priesthood: “a heroic way of life, as defined by celibacy, (which) will attract outstanding men”, as a thing of the past, was no less new and surprising to me, than the definition he provided of the kinds of personslikely to be attracted to the priesthood of the future: “In any event, the aspirants a ‘well defined priesthood’ may attract may not be ‘the outstanding’, but the insecure, unfocussed, and less talented, unable to define their own distinctive place in the world.”

This led me to wonder:
a) What effect could this definition have on the morale of those who are currently, or quite likely thinking of becoming seminarians? Granted the true priest-in-the-making should be able to rise above this. But!…..  And what of the effect on “insecure” parishioners?

Another “valid” reason to leave the Church? I am sure that Father will agree wholeheartedly with me, that a simplistic reply of “Too bad for them!” is certainly not the answer. The tone of the last paragraph of his article supports this.

b) If, as Father also pointed out, the Church has no option where accepting such persons as aspirants to the priesthood is concerned, other than  its “rethinking of  the qualifications for ordination”, can we even dare hope for an end to the problem, when this of necessity impinges on Her present stance of celibacy as a must for the priesthood?

c) Wouldn’t any young man with serious thoughts about becoming a priest, and even going a step further and completing a professional career also, think twice now about making the priesthood a vocation?

For, the definition has effectively painted the picture of the future priest as being unable to  know or show anything of the nobility or the true beauty of this “holiest” of vocations, given his own inability “to define his distinctive place in the world”; nor can he fully incorporate anyone into the meaning and mission of “Church”, being as “insecure, untalented and unfocussed as he is.”

So the question remains, where does this leave us? Where does this leave Mother Church Herself?

Thanks so much Father, for opening our eyes to what is obviously ahead, unless the whole situation is radically re-assessed with all options open, no matter how traditionally unpalatable.

It is for all of us now to see the clear writing on the wall and to pray even more fervently than ever before, for our Church; that She follow unhesitatingly in whatever direction the Holy Spirit is leading; so that one day sooner rather than later, we will return to Eucharistic celebration in Church life, in all parishes without exception, as “normative Catholic practice”; and not just as “an ongoing Catholic anomaly”, such as it now is in many, (as Father reminded us), thanks to the shortage of priests.

And remember, dear reader! With things continuing as they are now, your parish or mine, could be unavoidably next in line to join that list of “anomalies”, if it is not already there!
Jean Bernard, St Joseph

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Jesus Explosion Committee wishes to express its sincerest apology for omitting in its article, to mention the 15 Grenadian young people, zealous for God who journeyed to Trinidad to be part of the Jesus Explosion IV. The article appeared on page 15 of the Catholic News dated July 23, 2006 (note carried in online edition)
Please accept our humble apology.
Your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
The Jesus Explosion Committee