For some time Catholics have been anxious about the lack of vocations in many traditional religious orders, but specially by the shortage of new young priests. They are dismayed by the prospect of well-loved parishes being closed or amalgamated. Some wonder whether this has come about because of affluence, or through a decline in commitment and self-sacrifice. Others point to world-wide clerical scandals, despite or because of, rather centralised church structures. We may well ask, have too many of the faithful been sacramentalised more than evangelised?
Can we learn from the practice of the earliest churches, which had no specially trained priests, but rather lay elders, usually married, supervised by overseers (bishops)? The larger communities were also served by male and female deacons, who helped the faithful to organise their life as communities. So attractive was their lifestyle, that their faith soon spread through the Middle-East, North Africa and most of Europe, despite periodic persecution.
Can we also learn from the Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers? They have existed for well over 300 years, without ever needing priests. With no missionary orders, they have spread to many countries across the world. Their advocacy of peace and resistance to slavery, captured the imagination of many. They developed ethical forms of capitalism, pioneering metal industries, banking, food products and paradoxically, brewing. Modern industry and finance could learn much from their practices of frugal living, care for employees and trustworthiness. The practice of silent prayer may explain much of their expansion and creativity.
Catholics should perhaps read the signs of the times, both ancient and modern.
Lord Hylton, House of Lords
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