Don't let lobbying get in the way of the Holy Spirit

We have reflected for some while on the letter by a number of priests (The Tablet, 24 March) urging the bishops who will be meeting at the Synod in Rome in October this year to reaffirm what they call "the Church's unchanging moral teaching so that confusion may be removed and faith confirmed". It seemed at first that a similar petition might be addressed to the bishops urging them in a different direction.

 

However, after serious thought, it became apparent to us that lobbying and petitioning is not appropriate. To act in this way, we feel, is to deny the freedom of the Holy Spirit to guide the bishops in their deliberations and conclusions. Pope Francis has urged our bishops to consult with the people of their dioceses in order, surely, to see more clearly what is the mind of the people of the church on the matters to be discussed. It is essential for a mature and compassionate church to engage in this dialogue in order that we may discern where the Holy Spirit is guiding us. In fact, much of the "confusion" among the people of our church would seem to stem from the enormous gap between the way the bishops and often the priests speak, and what the people themselves have come to believe. This does not confirm their faith and may well make them lose confidence in those who are called to be their shepherds.

 

What we would urge as members of A Call To Action (ACTA), which seeks to promote dialogue between the bishops and their people, is that each and every member of our church seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their own reflection and prayer and share their insights with others and with our bishops to help them be more aware of the thinking and, indeed, of the beliefs of the people who make our parish communities.