Challenging times for the local church

The sudden death of Fr Lawrence, who had been in active service as parish priest of Erin since 2004, opens up one more hole in the archdiocese’s thin priestly cover. “Whom shall we send” or “Who we go put” becomes a decidedly irrelevant question. The possibility of “plugging holes,” taking the stopgap measure “for the time being,” becomes less and less an option.

The kind of change that the present circumstances will demand must be a concern not only for the Archbishop and the Priests’ Personnel Board but for all members of the Church. It will force changes in the structure of the Church and in the way it continues to carry out its mission. Archbishop Gilbert gave notice in his Chrism Mass homily that a special session of the Archdiocesan Synod may become necessary to address the situation. It may be vital.

In the reading from the Gospel of Luke (24: 35-48) this Sunday, Jesus mysteriously stands in the midst of his disciples and asks: “Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts?” It is important for all to recognise the Risen Lord who stands among us today calling in ever-new ways for witnesses to his presence.

After drawing attention to the lack of priests, the Archbishop said the challenge in the data calls “for a more flexible response from the archdiocese and a new level of generosity from everyone . . . We will need to think in new categories. We cannot afford to do things in the same way as we did in the past.”

Population Shifts

The Port-of-Spain Archdiocese has not yet had the North American and European experience of having to close churches but the circumstances suggest that the time is fast approaching when the local Church will have to give some thought to fewer but larger places of worship.

The Archbishop alluded to the population shifts to new areas. The changing landscape may logically make this a convenient time to give consideration to strategically placed larger churches. But could it be that the local Church is also experiencing the nudge of the Risen Christ leading his Church into a still more creative way of being?

Larger buildings present their own challenge. It must not mean, in the age of new media, a distancing of priests from people or the alienation of members of the Church community from each other. It is for this reason that broad discussions will have to take place to determine the best ways of restructuring the archdiocese. Ongoing adult formation will become even more critical.

The challenges that the local Church faces should not cause it to sound the alarm. The word which the people of God will reflect on this Sunday invites them to a quiet confidence and a sharing in Easter excitement.

The golden jubilees of the Dioceses of Castries and St George’s in Grenada, which the bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference will be part of this week, are a reminder of the strength of the Caribbean Church and are yet another sign of Christ’s presence among his people.