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| Father Emanuele De Nigris, Right, From St. Cecilia Church In Miami, Leads Singing Members Of The Neocatechumenal Way, Parishioners, And Youths Through The Streets Of Hialeah Before Beginning A Popular Mission On The Streets. LIZSANDRA TRASTOY Photo/Florida Catholic |
I do wonder whether, given the unique demands of our time, it might be wise to ask a few questions about our hyper-stress on the parish.
For the past several days, I've been with my Word on Fire team, filming for the Flannery O'Connor and Fulton Sheen episodes of our "Pivotal Players" series. Our journey has taken us from Chicago to New York to Washington, DC, and finally to Savannah and Millidgeville, GA. At every step of the way, we have met numerous people who have been affected by Word on Fire materials: sermons, podcasts, YouTube videos, and the CATHOLICISM series. Many have told me that their exposure to Word on Fire started a process that led them back to the Church. Now I'm telling you this not as an advertisement for my media ministry, but rather as an occasion to muse about what I consider to be a needful change in the way the Church thinks about its essential work.
Throughout all the years of my involvement with the Church, the parish has been taken as the crucial ecclesial institution. Talk to almost anyone involved in Catholic ministry over the past fifty years and you will hear ample criticism of lots of aspects of Church life, but you will, almost without exception, hear praise of the parish. I think here of Fr. Andrew Greeley's lyrical evocations of the parish as a uniquely successful social and religious institution. Certainly within the context of diocesan priesthood, parish work is the unquestioned default position. Ministry outside of the parochial setting--hospital work, seminary work, teaching, administration, etc.--is acceptable, but it is generally seen as not quite what a diocesan priest ought to be doing. I think it's fair to say that the overwhelming amount of our money, time, energy, and personnel go into the maintenance of parish structures.
Now please don't misunderstand me: I love the parish and believe in its importance passionately. Worship, instruction in discipleship, the building up of the community, formation for mission--all of this happens typically within the parish. I did full-time parish work for several years, and I've been involved in numerous parishes for the full thirty-two years of my priesthood. Now as a regional bishop in the largest Archdiocese in the country, I supervise and regularly visit roughly forty parishes. However, I do wonder whether, given the unique demands of our time, it might be wise to ask a few questions about our hyper-stress on the parish.
Survey after survey has shown that the number of the "nones," or the religiously unaffiliated, is increasing dramatically in our country. Whereas in the early 1970s, those claiming no religion was around three percent, today it is close to twenty-five percent. And among the young, the figures are even more alarming: forty percent of those under forty have no religious affiliation, and fully fifty percent of Catholics under forty claim to be "nones." For every one person who joins the Catholic Church today, roughly six are leaving. And even those who identify as Catholic are spending very little time in and around parishes. Most studies indicate that perhaps 20 to 25 percent of baptized Catholics attend Mass on a regular basis, and the numbers of those receiving the sacraments--especially baptism, confirmation, marriage--are in noticeable decline. Furthermore, objective analysis reveals--and I can testify from a good deal of personal experience--that a tiny percentage of the already small percentage who attend Mass typically participate in parish programs of education, social service, and spiritual renewal. The point--and again, this is to say absolutely nothing against those who do wonderful work within the parish--is that perhaps we should reconsider our priorities and focus, above all, on active evangelization, the great mission ad extra.
Pope Francis memorably told us to "get out of the sacristies and into the streets," and to go "to the existential margins." Especially in our Western context, the streets and the existential margins are where we find the "nones." Two or three generations ago, we could trust that many people (Catholics certainly) would come to our institutions--schools, seminaries, and parishes--to be evangelized, but we absolutely cannot assume that today. But yet we still seem to devote most of our money, time, and attention to the maintenance of these institutions and their programs. Might it not be wiser to redirect our energies, money, and personnel outward, so that we might move into the space where the un-evangelized, the fallen-away, the unaffiliated dwell? My humble suggestion is that a serious investment in social media and the formation of an army of young priests specifically educated and equipped to evangelize the culture through these means would be a desideratum. But that's a subject for another column.
The last time Cardinal George addressed the priests of Chicago, at a convocation just about nine months before his death, he made a prophetic remark. He told the Chicago presbyterate that, at the beginning of the Church, there were no dioceses, no schools, no seminaries, and no parishes. But there were evangelists. He said that, in light of our present challenges, this is worth thinking about. He was right.
Now please don't misunderstand me: I love the parish and believe in its importance passionately. Worship, instruction in discipleship, the building up of the community, formation for mission--all of this happens typically within the parish. I did full-time parish work for several years, and I've been involved in numerous parishes for the full thirty-two years of my priesthood. Now as a regional bishop in the largest Archdiocese in the country, I supervise and regularly visit roughly forty parishes. However, I do wonder whether, given the unique demands of our time, it might be wise to ask a few questions about our hyper-stress on the parish.
Survey after survey has shown that the number of the "nones," or the religiously unaffiliated, is increasing dramatically in our country. Whereas in the early 1970s, those claiming no religion was around three percent, today it is close to twenty-five percent. And among the young, the figures are even more alarming: forty percent of those under forty have no religious affiliation, and fully fifty percent of Catholics under forty claim to be "nones." For every one person who joins the Catholic Church today, roughly six are leaving. And even those who identify as Catholic are spending very little time in and around parishes. Most studies indicate that perhaps 20 to 25 percent of baptized Catholics attend Mass on a regular basis, and the numbers of those receiving the sacraments--especially baptism, confirmation, marriage--are in noticeable decline. Furthermore, objective analysis reveals--and I can testify from a good deal of personal experience--that a tiny percentage of the already small percentage who attend Mass typically participate in parish programs of education, social service, and spiritual renewal. The point--and again, this is to say absolutely nothing against those who do wonderful work within the parish--is that perhaps we should reconsider our priorities and focus, above all, on active evangelization, the great mission ad extra.
Pope Francis memorably told us to "get out of the sacristies and into the streets," and to go "to the existential margins." Especially in our Western context, the streets and the existential margins are where we find the "nones." Two or three generations ago, we could trust that many people (Catholics certainly) would come to our institutions--schools, seminaries, and parishes--to be evangelized, but we absolutely cannot assume that today. But yet we still seem to devote most of our money, time, and attention to the maintenance of these institutions and their programs. Might it not be wiser to redirect our energies, money, and personnel outward, so that we might move into the space where the un-evangelized, the fallen-away, the unaffiliated dwell? My humble suggestion is that a serious investment in social media and the formation of an army of young priests specifically educated and equipped to evangelize the culture through these means would be a desideratum. But that's a subject for another column.
The last time Cardinal George addressed the priests of Chicago, at a convocation just about nine months before his death, he made a prophetic remark. He told the Chicago presbyterate that, at the beginning of the Church, there were no dioceses, no schools, no seminaries, and no parishes. But there were evangelists. He said that, in light of our present challenges, this is worth thinking about. He was right.
Bishop Robert Barron is the founder of the global ministry, Word on Fire, and is an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
I like Bishop Barron's series 'Word on Fire.' He's right about going out to the lost sheep. The NCW follows this way of evangelization.
ReplyDeleteEven Tim's study group for 13 years doesn't work because all he did was stay put and lead his study group in feeding their minds on the Catholic faith. But there was no practice. He didn't carry out the things he instructed his group in.
All of Rohr's group consist of people who already have a strong Catholic background. But it's true, they don't practice what they teach in his study group. They study the importance of evangelization, but they don't go out into the streets and knock on people's doors. So, what fruits was produced from Tim's study group?
DeleteDear Jane Doe,
DeleteWhatever study group Rohr was conducting, it was probably not meant for evangelization. Rather, it was meant to provide Catholics more information on their Catholic faith. However, as Anonymous 10:48 am pointed out, Rohr was catering to those with already strong Catholic backgrounds and who regularly attend Church.
Bishop Barron is specifically pointing out to those who do not attend Church. This is where the NCW is effective because we go outside the church in both the Great Mission and two by twos. Furthermore, our Catechist team come from all walks of life, especially those who are weak.
A person who was known in the local community as having not going to church for a long time suddenly preaching about God is a more credible witness to Jesus Christ than one who attends Mass regularly. Of course, this is not to put down those who attend Mass regularly. It is good that they attend Mass, but the mission of the church is to save souls by looking for the lost sheep and bringing them back into the Church.
This is what made the Apostle Paul a great evangelizer. He was once a persecutor of Christians. Then he changed. St. Paul converted more Gentiles when he gave his testimonial witness of how Christ changed his life.
Then why do you Neos evangelize inside the church?
DeleteDear Anonymous at 11:54 am,
DeleteBecause there are some inside the Church who are also lost. Read the story of the prodigal son. The elder brother who stayed with the father was angry when he learned that his father held a party for the younger son who returned after squandering all his inheritance.
Also, the fact that Tim Rohr held a study group for Catholics is also an indication that there are some inside the Church who wants to deepen their faith. Pope John Paul II said that some sort of post-baptismal formation is needed for Catholics to live out their faith. The NCW is an itinerary of Christian formation in which one can live out their baptism.
Dear Anonymous at 11:54AM,
DeleteDon't know what you mean by "you Neos evangelize inside the church'.
We celebrate the Eucharist on Saturday evening inside the church as Archbishop Byrnes instructed us to do.
We celebrate the Word during the week in one of the church rooms.
Evangelize? We once announced an upcoming Catechesis during Sunday Masses. We gave a short testimony and invited everyone to the Catechesis.
Dear Anonymous at 12:06 pm,
DeleteYou are correct. We ONCE announced an upcoming catechesis during Sunday Mass. I assumed the comment made by Anonymous 11:54 am was referring to the past before Archbishop Byrnes came to Guam. Nevertheless, those who came to the catechesis chose to come of their own free will.
Here is an example of evangelization inside the church.
DeleteFor the last several months, I know a young man who has been coming regularly to the Celebration of the Eucharist in Asan and Chalan Pago Saturday evenings. And since it is summer, he has participated in a Penitential Celebration and attended some Celebrations of the Word. He has a desire to attend the next Catechesis. He is receiving a Word in a way he has not experienced before.
The criticisms of the Neocatechumenal Way are mostly from those who have not attended and experienced receiving a Word from what the Way has to offer. Whether it be the Popular Mission, Catechesis, Celebration of the Word or the Celebration of the Eucharist. When one experiences for themselves a celebration of the Way, they can judge for themselves. The Way doesn't force itself on anyone. We respect one's free will.
Off topic. Someone was asking if Archbishop Byrnes was informed that a Neocatechumenal Way Center was being set up in Asan. I said to him 'Why should the Archbishop be informed if no diocese funds were being used?'
ReplyDeleteDon't know if Archbishop Byrnes was informed or not. But this raises the question 'Do all activities of the local Catholic Church need to be forwarded to the Archbishop? Does he need to approve of these activities?'
So do all calendar of events of each parish and of each Catholic organization need to be sent to Archbishop Byrnes for approval? What about calendar changes? Do these need approval too? Retreats off island and on island, does the Archbishop need to approve of these? Do CCD bake sales need approval from the Archbishop?
Dear Anonymous at 10:19 pm,
DeleteMy response is found in the following weblink:
https://neocatechemunal.blogspot.com/2018/07/neocatechumenal-way-center.html?m=1
Sorry, this question is not on subject. John Paul II said Mass for the NCW in 1989 in Porto San Giorgio, but where and when did Cardinal Ratzinger celebrate Mass for them? Thank you for your help.
ReplyDeleteMarie
Dear Marie,
DeleteBelow is a weblink where you will find a photo of Cardinal Ratzinger celebrating Mass with the NCW. The caption did not say where or when that took place, but I assume it was in his home country (Germany) at the time when he was still a cardinal.
https://neocatechemunal.blogspot.com/2016/05/kiko-pope-and-kiko-saint.html