Being Architects of Communion
The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter
Introduction
"The clergy and faithful of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter are called to be architects of communion, simultaneously preserving the distinctiveness and integrity of their communities while demonstrating commitment to act in communion with the broader Church. One of the means to demonstrate a commitment to communion is through the careful development of Ordinariate parishes and parochial communities.
"The parish has at its basis and center the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, from which all education in the Spirit originates and from which flows various works of charity, mutual help, missionary activity, and different forms of Christian witness. The organization of the Catholic Church known as its hierarchical constitution is understood as first and foremost an expression of the Gospel imperative for the salvation of souls.
"Catholic communion requires diligence in parochial and community formation, never assuming that previous patterns and experiences are appropriate or applicable now."
Commentary
The first paragraph of the introduction captures the unity and diversity of the Church, a model for society as a whole.
"...simultaneously preserving the distinctiveness and integrity of their communities while demonstrating commitment to act in communion with the broader Church..."
Of course, unity and diversity in the Church are wed to the truth of divine revelation.
Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Issue 12, DEC2020
Concern for unity “pertains to the whole Church, faithful and clergy alike,” according to the Second Vatican Council as quoted in later Church teaching. It extends to everyone “according to the ability of each,” whether in daily life or in theological and historical studies.Ecumenical commitment is also described as not the responsibility of the Apostolic See alone; it is also the duty of local Churches.Bishops as a “visible principle” of unity. The same source explains that, as a shepherd, the bishop has the distinct responsibility of gathering the flock into unity and is called a “visible principle and foundation of unity” in his particular Church.
When societal goals stray from the natural law—e.g., by treating diversity as an absolute—they often lead to distorted results that harm both individual well-being and the common good.
We see in most industrialized societies how the ship of civilization has been wrecked on the shoals of various ideologies that use sweet words like diversity to hide diabolical programs that drown individuals and entire communities in injustice: morally bankrupt social policies, corruption, and greed.
Spiritual Literacy
The second paragraph of Architects of Communion cited above offers a concise yet insightful overview of Catholic identity embraced by all faithful Catholics.
Catholic identity is not reduceable to a mere 'me+God and the rest of y'all be damned', i.e., a pipeline spirituality that that infects the Church from time to time and has long taken up residence among our Protestant brethren. No, the Catholic is a member of the Body of Christ, the People of God, and in an age when hyper individualism and a herd-mentality has imprisoned people in a maze of crass identities far beneath the dignity of man, males and females created in the image and likeness of God, knowing one's true identity in Christ is a profound consolation and fortification for living.
Illuminated by the Holy Gospel proclaimed in the Sacred Liturgy, the Catholic is enrolled in a school of holiness. Hence, the Liturgy must be celebrated in a manner that honours its sublime nature, otherwise communion will be disfigured. Relationships will be disfigured because the worshipper is disoriented by strange notions about God, faith, and human relationships.
There are these online videos with a host interviewing people, young and old, about civics and historical matters. That the people interviewed have such poor knowledge about their role as citizens and even their own history, for example, is appalling. If the responses of the interviewees are any indication of the state of literacy with basic ideas, then it should come as no surprise that the level of critical thinking about deeper matters is abysmal. Why is that? A few thoughts come to mind, among them the obvious. Reason is pushed aside by indoctrination in debilitating ideologies that blind people to authentic living.
A few videos might be weak evidence of a general problem. That said:
Foundations
If Catholics have little or no formation in prayer and right worship, for starters, identity is likely to fade and the vacuum will probably then be filled with hedonistic pursuits pretending to be spiritual.
"Catholic communion requires diligence in parochial and community formation, never assuming that previous patterns and experiences are appropriate or applicable now."
Authentic community formation is not haphazard but a pursuit that forms the whole person. Human beings may face different challenges or opportunities through the centuries, but the need for formation in holiness remains essential for the the salvation of souls.
We can learn from prior experience and apply that which is a constant need for spiritual development. What does it mean to 'take up one's cross'? How is one disposed to God's grace? How does one conduct an examination of conscience that enables one to better love God and love one's neighbour as oneself?
It would careless to avoid the wisdom provided by prior generations, that is, the wisdom of venerable witnesses to the Gospel. It would be equally careless to avoid attention to the present movement or influences of the Holy Spirit that can be seen in the narratives that expose sin and those narratives that identify the work of grace. To be steeped in history is to become aware of how the Holy Spirit moves so that we, the Bride of Christ, may act now in accord with the will of God.
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