THE P
RTAL
Father Peter ’ s Page Future Church ....
September 2011 Page 16
I write this during the World Youth Day Mass in Madrid . As a University Chaplain I have both a personal and professional interest in this unique and wonderful occasion . There are at least eight of my students there , constantly feeding me with comments and ‘ blogs ’ and I know that when they return for the next academic year they will do so with increased enthusiasm and insights which will be infectious to others .
From a ‘ professional ’ point of view , whenever young people meet within the Catholic Church on such occasions I am always curious to try to learn and understand better what it is that has attracted and inspired them . Not least , to try to understand whether there is something that might be useful at a local level .
the Church of the future ?
Often it has been said – and many commentators have repeated this during the last few days : “ They are the Church of the future ”. Although in one sense this is patently true , the words must not be used in a paternal or ‘ put-down ’ way , as so often happens by some people in authority , because although they are obviously ‘ the Church of the future ’, it needs to be emphasised that they are already HERE & NOW a true and vital living part of the Church and must not just be thought of as an ‘ investment ’ for the future .
Because they are baptised and full members of the Catholic Church – and dynamic living members at that – they are a fundamental part of what the Church already IS . Within the shared membership of the Church , their role , participation and contribution is a vital part of what “ makes the Church , the Church ”. These attributes are no way better seen than in the World Youth Day Mass .
World Youth Day Mass
When Mass is celebrated with over 1½ million young people from 193 different nations , together with thousands of priests and religious , hundreds of bishops and led by the successor of St Peter , Pope Benedict XVI one has a exceptional insight of the Church . To have witnessed the sight of thousands of young pilgrims making their confession before the
Mass , their devotion through it – despite the weather – and their loyalty and enthusiasm for the teaching and office of Pope Benedict is an inspiration to the whole Church throughout the world .
Orthodoxy , Authenticity and Holiness
Here was the boldest statement yet that young people – in their millions – want Orthodoxy , Authenticity and Holiness to pervade their lives ; and such values demonstrated by such young people in their millions , are clearly a future worth having .
No political leader , no earthly organisation , no other religious body in the world , could engender such devotion , commitment and enthusiasm . How proud and humbled I felt , to be a member of the Catholic Church of God which has such people as part of it .
Truly , after Madrid one can convincingly say : “ the future is bright , and the best is yet to be ”.
I thank God that , by His Grace , I can participate in this as a full member of His Church . I hope , you , the reader , may already , or soon , be able to say the same .
Father Peter