Topic of the week – A new vision for the Church

The vision for the Catholic Church in England and Wales put forward by Clifford Longley (“A paradigm shift for English Catholicism”, 14 February) suggests that “defence of social justice and the common good” should be its primary raisons d’être. Whilst undoubtedly these are important aims, surely as a complete vision for the Church, they are too reductionist?

On the one hand, Longley seems to regard evangelism as redundant in the light of inclusivist Vatican II teaching. On the other, he suggests that Anglican social theory as reflected in the “Temple test” – “Is this appropriate for a Christian society?” – has passed its use-by date in the context of a more secular world, and that Catholic Social Teaching provides a much-needed bolster.

Perhaps instead of either missional reductionism, or seeking a niche to fill amid perceived gaps left by other Churches, the Catholic Church could look for inspiration toward the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission:

“1) To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom; 2) to teach, baptise and nurture new believers; 3) to respond to human need by loving service; 4) to transform unjust structures of society, challenge violence and pursue peace; 5) to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”

This holistic vision for living out the missio dei is broad enough for all Churches to collaborate on. And maybe a Catholic Church which focused on encouraging, equipping and enabling all of its members – women and men – to live out such a vision to the full would be the embodiment of a truly synodal Church.

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