Jesus wants us in the Church

A man in all the truth of his existence and being personal and at the same time “communal” and at the same time “social” – within his own family, within so many different communities, environments, within his nation or people (and perhaps even more only a clan or tribe), throughout all mankind – this man is the first path on which the Church must walk in fulfilling her mission, he is the first and fundamental path of the Church, the path laid out by Christ himself, the path that invariably leads through the Mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption .

(Encyclical Redemptor Hominis , 1979)

Most of us, born between the Odra and Bug rivers, between the Baltic Sea and the Tatra Mountains, were baptized in the Catholic Church, and it was this Church that provided our religious education. But today in Poland, Catholics who constitute a statistical majority (or people who have already declared themselves as former Catholics) have the greatest problems with their Church. The Church, which in important historical and personal moments was a support and shelter for many, today seems to many to be hostile, hostile, captivating, not understanding our needs and problems, and above all engaged more politically than spiritually.

Some depart from the Church and religion in general. Others move to Christian or non-Christian communities in the hope that they will find moral guidance and answers to basic existential questions there, that their individuality will be respected, or they will simply gain peace of mind away from the hustle and bustle of the world.

There are still many of us who see their place in the Church, and it is in this Church where we were introduced through baptism and where our first contact with God took place. We believe that Jesus wants us in such a Church, even if it seems very difficult at times. Moreover, the difficulties and problems with interrupting the Church while respecting her make more and more like-minded and feeling people begin to meet, talk and support. We, Catholic laity, believing that Jesus invites us to his Church constantly, that he wants to host us in her, do not go away, but feel co-responsible for the Church.

It is very important that we, as lay believers, speak openly and publicly if we have relevant comments about the Church that we are making up. Our criticism must be constructive and propose specific solutions. Let us use our knowledge and experience gained in various areas of secular life. Loud and clear, let us ask bothering questions, looking for answers from competent people. Let us take initiatives and organize various actions to present our religious commitment. Let us show our Church what path it should take here and now.

Yes, we are not used to it, because so far the hierarchical Church has taught us and expected completely different attitudes from us. It is high time to change it – also for the good of those who, as long as they have enough patience, listen to priests with gritted teeth, and then leave, often becoming fierce enemies of the Church, God and His followers. It is important that we learn from each other an attitude of responsibility for the Church and motivate as many people as possible to take it.

In early 2017, a group of Christians who hold such beliefs decided to start an ecumenical movement. We wish that not only Catholics, but also lay people from various Churches, would join in common prayer, exchange of experiences and creative discussions. The movement does not have a name or logo yet, so everyone interested is invited to submit a proposal. It is good if they express our concern for the future of Christianity, openness to dialogue and respect for other attitudes or different sensitivity.

We intend to gather in task groups around topics that are important to us. Anyone can find such a topic – one or several – for themselves. In the planned movement, no one involved will automatically sign all topics – modules. You can choose one or more topics according to your willingness, knowledge and conscience, not necessarily agreeing with the declarations of people working in other thematic areas. You can publicly sign the texts prepared jointly as part of the movement or propose your own texts to others. You can meet, discuss, create events, conferences, set up websites archiving literature or media messages. You have to share knowledge, talk to priests and bishops, convince about the need for change.

Such activity is possible without money and without creating formal organizations. Those of us who already have experience in organizing similar activities assure that friendly institutions help to create some events, and that it is not necessary for other events. Of course, formal organizations can also be created, according to the will and abilities of people working on a given topic.

MODULAR THEMES – SUGGESTIONS

The most urgent – the peaceful role of the Church: The laity motivate each other and then motivate the clergy to sermons and anti-racist teachings that a Christian cannot exclude anyone and discriminate, that Poland is not only for Poles, because millions of Poles also live in other countries. Motivating priests and bishops to mediate, especially in times of political tension.

The question of the subjectivity of the faithful: Lectures on conscience. Striving for greater subjectivity, a sense of agency and responsibility of the faithful in the Church. Reformatory activity of the faithful despite the hierarchical structure of the Church (differences depending on the specificity of a particular Church). Bottom-up education within the Churches.

Social justice: From joint care for the needy – the homeless and refugees – to reflection on liberation theology.

Feminism: The position of women in the church. The priesthood of women.

LGBT: Respect and open invitation to church without concealing one’s sexual orientation / gender identity. Appreciate the good of same-sex relationships and the families they start.

War: Defense is necessary. Refusing to use violence.

Holy Communion: Is Holy Communion for everyone? Possibility of receiving Holy Communion outside of one’s own Church.

Divorce: Re-union, Holy Communion people in a remarriage.

Aural confession: The downsides of an aural confession. Abuses against children and adults. Control. Confession secret and secular law. Forgiveness of sin and the removal of responsibility.

Sexual ethics: Responsibility rather than a must-do list. Contraception. Masturbation. Sex before marriage. Sexuality of the disabled. Same-sex relationships. Transgender – Body Correction.

Clerical celibacy: Optional celibacy. Transparency of celibate children. The child’s right to a parent and inheritance issues.

Ecumenism from below: Intercommunion. Meetings of ordinary believers. Common prayers and charity. Together for the progress of the Churches.

Economics: Poverty of clergy. Charges for the sacraments. Contributions for belonging to the Church. Tax for the benefit of the Churches.

The beginning and the end of life: The ethical problems of abortion, IVF, euthanasia. Surrogates. Gamete donation. Separation of Siamese twins.

Animals: Responsibility for animals in our surroundings. The utilitarian role of animals. Ecology. Vegetarianism.

Meetings with people of other religions and with non-believers: Conversations about ethics and values ​​.. How much do we have in common? Meetings at schools. Open meetings in towns and cities, and in special places such as prisons. Workshops under the slogan “Get to know what others feel and think”.

Respect and empathy for Christians with conservative views: We are in the common Church, we are people of good will – open meetings and discussions. Searching for allies among Christians who want to remain faithful to tradition, but are not afraid of dialogue with the modern world.

In the common Church with bishops and priests: Groups that work to contact them in the individual Churches. The reasons why they should be happy about our movement are transparency instead of secret talk, and a rich source of information and expertise. Conscious differentiation and staying in the common Church in prayer for the light of the Holy Spirit. Meetings, discussions, testimonies. Inspiration for the topics of sermons, letters and joint problem-solving, instead of learning with little practice.

People who want to join the activities described here or are interested in the topic of the emerging traffic, please contact the editors of the Theseus portal.

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