John H Newman believed in an inclusive church

This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

Monday October 8 in Catholic liturgy was the feast of John Henry Newman.

The Englishman has links with Ireland in that he was the brains behind the Catholic University of Ireland, which later morphed into University College Dublin.

He was born in 1801 into an English Anglican family, taught at Oxford and ordained an Anglican priest in 1825.

In 1845 he converted to Catholicism, ordained a Catholic priest in 1847 and later made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879.

Many unusual aspects to his life, one being that he became a cardinal without being ordained a bishop. But did you know that a cardinal does not have to be an ordained priest, or indeed, a man.

Newman was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in Birmingham in 2010.

Reading up a little about Newman last week I discovered that he was a strong believer in the laity having a far greater say in the life of the church. Indeed, he was not just referring to practical matters but he also felt that on issues of dogma laypeople had a role to play.

Interesting indeed. Apologies for using the term ‘laypeople’ I think it is a horrible word. A layperson is normally someone who knows nothing about a specific subject. 

When it comes to medicine or electronics I’m a layperson as I have no qualifications or accreditation in those areas. So, why in heaven’s name do we call Catholics who are not ordained ministers ‘laypeople’?

It often occurs to me that far too much in the Catholic Church depends on a small group of clerics who have inordinate power and control.

Take for instance an Irish parish: if the parish priest is a hard-working, good and holy man then it is most likely that the parish will be a living Christian community, where people play an active role in the life of the parish.

On the other hand, take a parish where the priest has lost interest, is tired, has not got the skills to deal with people and then on Sunday has not the ability to hold the attention of the congregation. Priests, like anyone else can annoy people.

It is inevitable and as natural as day following night that people will say bye-bye church. And that happens, it has been happening for a long time in Ireland.

Once the parish priest is not rocking the boat, it is most unlikely that a bishop will do anything to try to change the situation.

A parish council can and does help parish life. But the trouble with many parish councils is that they are made up of people who are slow to challenge the parish priest. 

Bishops usually visit parishes for confirmations and then the custom is that they meet a selected group of parishioners.

There is need for far greater communication between priests and their bishops or provincials. And between bishops, priests and people. I mean real talking and listening. 

If a priest is not interested in people, then what at all is he doing in the job?

We have a fabulous network of parishes in Ireland. We have great people living in them. I can’t help but believe that far too often a clerical church has helped hijack too many Christian communities. Eventually people speak with their feet and say bye-bye.

Communities thrive when people genuinely feel a sense of belonging. Solutions are staring us in the face. The answer lies on the ground, not in dogma.

Being kind, offering a genuine listening ear, a willingness to be part of a team goes a long way in building community.