Mystery that surrounds the appointment of bishops

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

Michael Commane

The former archbishop of the French diocese of Lyons, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin retired in March.

Anytime a new bishop is to be appointed to a diocese anywhere in the Catholic world the ether is filled with rumour. These days the clerical gossip in Dublin is all about who will be the next archbishop in the country’s biggest diocese. 

But there is an interesting twist in Lyons. A 73-year-old theologian and scripture scholar has put her name forward to succeed Cardinal Barbarin. Anne Soupa believes she is competent, and well capable to do the job. Over 17,000 people have signed a petition in support of her job application.

In April Pope Francis set up a commission to examine the possibility of ordaining women deacons. Last month he appointed six women to a high power group that keeps an eye on Vatican finances.

I am thinking of the state of the Catholic Church in Ireland and maybe even further afield.

Are you aware that, contrary to what is claimed by the relevant church authorities, the wider Catholic community in Ireland has no say whatsoever in the appointment of bishops in the country. And guess what, right now the Chinese Communist government has a say in the appointment of bishops in their country, indeed, a significant say. In fact in some countries, governments are consulted on the appointment of bishops.

In the Gospel last Sunday week St Matthew (16: 21 - 27) tells us how the scribes, elders and chief priests were doing their best to stop Jesus preaching his message. Does it ever dawn on us that the chief priests, elders and scribes have not gone away? And who are they today? I’ll leave that for you to think about.

But I do know there are many serious problems with the Catholic Church at present. Not for a moment am I saying that I want to return to an authoritarian church that had far too much power in Ireland.

It dawned on me recently while celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism that so many of the words I was saying had little meaning for those present. For example, what do the words exorcism and chrism mean?

What actually does it mean when I talk about the word church, what does it mean when I say the people of God, when the likes of me, feel so alienated, displeased and unhappy with the management of the Irish Catholic Church?

I know it’s easy to criticise. Our approach to appointing bishops leaves much to be desired. Rumour has it that the papal nuncio draws up a list of three names and then presents that to Rome. No doubt he ticks his favourite. At least, in his favour, the present papal nuncio is a diplomat, unlike his predecessor.

Many people have walked away from the church because they have justifiably felt alienated, they have felt no one was listening to them.

Thinking of the church these days I’m reminded of Sean O Casey’s comment that the whole world is in a state of chassis.