In mid-19th century London, Fr. John Henry Newman publicly suggested that bishops involve the laity in some ecclesial matters—like helping establish and run schools—in which they had a degree of expertise. Newman, at once a convert and one of the most important Catholic thinkers of that era, was viewed with suspicion by more traditionalist cradle-Catholics. One of his more vocal critics, Msgr. George Talbot, referred to Newman as “the most dangerous man in England.” In a letter to their archbishop (Henry Manning) responding to Newman’s proposal, Talbot somewhat contemptuously—and revealingly—asked “[w]hat is the province of the laity? To hunt, to shoot, to entertain?” The implicit answer was “yes” because, Talbot noted, “these [are the] matters they understand” as though matters of the Faith they were raised in was beyond the ken of Catholics living outside of formal, professed religious life.
While Talbot’s words were as inaccurate as they were dismissive and they betrayed a clericalism that was rampant in the Catholic Church until relatively recent times. Many Catholic Americans (well into the 20th century) echoed his attitude by claiming the job of lay people was simply to “pay, pray, and obey.”
One of the many ugly faces of clericalism is the idea that the propagation of the Faith is the exclusive domain of deacons, priests, bishops, and religious sisters and brothers. Sadly, while the attitude is wrong, it is also widely held.
Thankfully, in the Diocese of Cleveland we have a bishop who understands and appreciates the contributions of all of the faithful—lay and cleric alike—in living and sharing our Catholic faith.
This past December, Bishop Edward Malesic demonstrated this as he published his first pastoral letter, "A Flourishing Apostolic Church". It is a message he hopes will “be at the forefront of conversations around the diocese” (my department chair, Joe Betz ’01, having recently “encouraged” reading the message as a “snow day” exercise, has already committed our department to such discussions.) This is not a document merely for the “professionally Catholic.” The bishop is looking for all of us to read and reflectively engage it. My reflections below do not do justice to the wonderfully personal, loving, challenging—and ultimately encouraging—words of the chief teacher of our diocese.
Do yourself a favor and read it.
In crafting his pastoral letter, Bishop Malesic continues a tradition among the episcopate that includes writing to the lay and clerical members of his flock, encouraging them in their faith, providing instruction, and/or commissioning them in some task.
In his letter, Bishop Malesic has done all three—reminding us of our connection with Christ and calling us to be “missionary disciples”— the modern term Catholic leaders are using to describe the apostolic nature of the Church. “Apostle,” we remember, is “one who is sent” on a mission to bring Jesus to the world. So we are essentially called to be modern apostles.
Understanding that we can’t give what we don’t have and noting the importance of “mak[ing] time for the people we love most,” Bishop Malesic encourages us each day to find a quiet, dedicated spot and, in silence, “carv[e] out fifteen minutes during which [we] put aside everything else and dedicate that time to [our] relationship with God.” Moreover, he reminds us of the importance of the sacraments in our lives as Catholics, as well as the support of our fellow Christians: “The Church at her best” he writes, “is a community of faith who build each other up in faith.” As such, he encourages us to find each other and share our beliefs and experiences with one another.
For Catholics, the parish is our extended home where we come together as a family to share the Sacred Meal that is the Eucharist and ask forgiveness for our failings. It is also the springboard from which we can share our faith with the larger community. As Bishop Malesic observes:
[A] healthy parish does three things well: The people worship God with intensity. The people hear God’s Word and share the Good News of our salvation in Christ with others, becoming evangelizers. And, finally, they put their faith into action by serving the materially and spiritually poor as Jesus commanded…
To worship, evangelize, and serve, THIS is what we are called to do: a far cry from “hunting, shooting, and entertaining” or “paying, praying, and obeying.” Speaking to lay people, the bishop noted that “The People of God” are the front-line workers for Christ in our society. Your apostolate, flowing from your baptism, is to transform those within your sphere, those you encounter on the journey of life…” (emphasis added).
This role of helping transform others, he notes, means “loving those who haven’t been drawn to Church, who don’t cross the parish threshold.” That love means sharing Christ—one on one—with those who have fallen away from the Faith or who have never known Jesus in a meaningful way.
Most of us have experienced priests whose homilies not only instruct, but inspire us. We have read wonderful writers who are able to break open the Gospel in ways that make the life and words of Jesus come alive for us. Many of us have had life-changing moments on retreat.
But most people have never had those experiences. They do, however, have us. Linger with the words of Bishop Malesic: WE are the front-line workers. We are the ones in the trenches, meeting people where they live. Our priests and bishops, and the good sisters and brothers who may have taught us are not in the trenches with us in the same way. Their essential roles are “back at headquarters” offering us support. But the essential business of being “missionary disciples” is ours.
And we don’t need to have doctorates in Theology to be those disciples. In his apostolic exhortation “The Evangelization of the Modern World” Pope St. Paul VI famously noted that “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers.” It’s hard to share our faith, but remember: in Confirmation we were made “witnesses to Christ” and given the tools—the gifts of the Holy Spirit—to do that work. And let’s not forget that Jesus Himself told us, His disciples, that “I myself will give you a wisdom in speaking…” that will withstand even those who are against us. (Lk. 21:15)
Anglican theologian Christopher J.H. Wright observed that “It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his Church in the world, as that God has a Church for his mission in the world.”
He’s right—and as missionary disciples, we are that Church.
A.M.D.G. / B.V.M.H.