I believe that I have mentioned it before but one of the archdiocesan consultative bodies to which I belong is the Presbyteral Council. We are charged with......................
PASTOR’s NOTES
I believe that I have mentioned it before but one of the archdiocesan consultative bodies to which I belong is the Presbyteral Council. We are charged with the responsibility of advising Archbishop Dolan about issues which concern the good of the People of God. Over the last few months our shepherd has spoken to us about the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There was universal agreement that this gift of God’s mercy is not utilized as much as it should. Of course, everyone present at the meetings had reasons they thought that this was the case. Wisely, the Archbishop called for the appearance of an expert. So he invited Father Dennis McManus. (It should be noted here who this priest is. When the Holy Father appointed Archbishop Dolan to head our Archdiocese this intellect in his own right realized the countless issues with which he would be forced to deal. His opinions would be sought not only by his local faith community but by the larger society, especially as represented by the media. Additionally, he is an important member of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and must head national Catholic organizations which provide relief to our brothers and sisters throughout the world. Knowing the importance of the questions that would be presented to him and the volumes of material that would have to be evaluated, and ever aware of the demands on his time to perform his Episcopal duties, he reached out to Father McManus. He chose well. A priest from Mobile Alabama, he has worked with the bishops of our country in the formula of policy and the expression of theology. He will serve Archbishop Dolan and indeed, the Church of New York as theological consultant).
Father McManus used a study of the Center for Applied
Research in the Apostolate (CARA) called: “Sacraments Today: Belief and practice among U. S. Catholics” as the basis of his remarks. To no one’s surprise statistics reveal a lack of participation is the Sacrament of Reconciliation by many. (As Archbishop noted at other times this is strange in a culture of Oprah, Jerry Springer, and Dr. Phil where public confession is the norm.) The seeking of the sacrament is most prominent among those who participate weekly in the Eucharist. Our speaker reported that older Catholics tend to see greater value in Confession. He stated that the greatest usage is in the South of our country.
It is often said that people do not have the same sense of sin as prior generations. He agrees but takes a more intuitive path in explaining present attitudes. As our society has become more individualistic or self-serving, if you like it becomes very conscious of privacy. This translates into the religious realm as a lessening of a sense of community (though Vatican II stresses this value in liturgy). Therefore, my sins are private; it is between God and I; I have no responsibility to the Church. Of course, this flies in the face of the understanding of Baptism as not only removing original sin but causing one to be part of the Body of Christ. All too often there is a failure to grasp the spiritual reality that my thoughts, words, and deeds either contribute to the holiness of the Church or detract from it. If we are in true dialogue with God then we must permit Him to speak to us through the Word and Spirit.
Father McManus spoke of a conversation he had with one individual who declared that he did not approach sacramental presence because of all the recent publicity concerning the failures of the Catholic clergy. I do not think that there is a priest alive today who is not heartsick at the news that comes to us concerning the criminality perpetrated against young victims. One cannot blame our Catholic population for being wary. But the sins of miscreants cannot so blind us to our need for absolution. And I say “our”. As Father McManus reminded us of the truth: one cannot be a good confessor, if he does not look inward. And upon examining his conscience, seek forgiveness in the sacrament of divine mercy. I know I must go regularly. When I am in New York I visit my confessor, Father Edward Salmon. I feel so lighthearted after hearing his counsel and the words of God’s and the Church’s forgiveness. If for some reason he is not available, I am always appreciative of the friars at St. Francis near Madison Square Garden (it is a good location considering how the Knicks and Rangers play).
Our speaker was very pointed in his words of admonition. He stated that as celebrants we must make the sacrament available. (Father Perry and I will be examining our schedule to see whether or not our efforts should be expanded.) The Archbishop and the Council was greatly interested in the possibility of having an Archdiocesan-wide celebration of the Sacrament. Another note Father McManus made was his experience that some priests celebrate this sacrament as well as the Eucharist itself in a very pedestrian way. They do not seem to express their faith in their proclamation of the word and the confection of the Sacrament. There is no invitatory tone in their liturgical presence. We must examine our way of celebration and the faith it reveals. Father McManus added that there is a definite connection between the quality of preaching and the effectiveness of the confessor.
As he concluded, the speaker stated that our society needs this sacrament more than ever. The trauma of 9/11 is still in our consciousness, the unforgiving nature of the larger society, and the sense of finality which often prevails in the minds of many begs for a renewed appreciation of this sign of divine love: the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Let us all rejoice in God’s mercy.
Vivat Jesus,
Fr. Brian