A Mega Month in the Catholic World!: Executive Director's Report

I don’t need to tell you it has been a huge month for the Catholic Church!

Pope Francis

The death of Pope Francis was a great sadness, though not unexpected after a serious illness. I was fortunate to coincidentally be in Rome and was able to attend his funeral.

The funeral was a beautiful event, with wonderful music, an inspiring homily, and round after round of applause for Pope Francis during and after the liturgy.  It was almost a happy occasion, a celebration of a life well-lived.

Pope Francis’ separation of Orders and Governance, with senior positions in the Curia then going to women religious, was perhaps his most significant reform, and is still settling. Religious are of course laity, so it may be the greatest change in the governance of the Church in the last millennium.

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo’s election and naming means there will be continuity in the emphasis of the Church on social justice going forward.

The emphasis on care for those in need, and then on social justice to change structures to ensure those needs continue to be met, are one of the two key elements of Christian life, ie to love your neighbour.  It is also the aspect that gives the Church credibility in the eyes of other people, and evangelises by the power of witness.

I would suggest that every Catholic organisation should encourage and connect people to hands on work with people in need.  One parish which I attended took that up as a priority and soon had 1,100 parishioners volunteering for outreach.  Many said, “I always wanted to do this, but I never had the connection.”

I am told by NCLS Research that they are finding a surge in interest in faith as a result of the focus on Pope’s Francis and Leo.  Let’s pray that it continues.

Inclusive Governance in a Synodal Church Symposium

In a key project led by Susan Pascoe and with AMPJP and ACU as partners, thirty experts and practitioners in MPJP governance and lay leadership of the Church met in Rome from April 28-30.

The Symposium began with an explanation of the extent of MPJPs throughout the English-speaking world, with MPJPs present in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, England, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.  They are a very significant element of the ministry of the Catholic Church, and have empowered the growth of a generation of lay people as faith-filled and effective leaders.

This was followed by expert inputs on the canonical and theological understandings of MPJPs and of lay leadership.  These papers will be released over time and will provide a treasure trove of new understandings of the life of MPJPs.

AMPJP Founder recognised

One of the founders of AMPJP, who is still intimately involved in its life, is Emeritus Professor Gabrielle McMullen.

Gabrielle recently received an honorary doctorate from Australian Catholic University. Her many accomplishments in the university sphere are covered here, Her other works for the Church are extensive and her assisting in the founding of AMPJP is one of the most important.

Gabrielle continues as a Trustee Director of Mercy Ministry Companions and as a member of the Steering Committee of the Inclusive Governance in a Synodal Church Project, which is researching Ministerial PJPs around the world.

Gabrielle has written a number of papers on MPJPs in Australia, contributing her latest just this month.

Congratulations and thanks to Gabrielle for all she has contributed to the Church, and in particular to MPJPs and AMPJP.

Marist Lecture

The Marists had a wonderful Lecture by Stan Grant last week.

He gave an inspiring talk on Mary, and for me came to life even more in the Q and A session.

I was aware of his faith but did not know until I attended the lecture that Stan is Catholic. A wonderful night!

Wisdom Circles

Two wonderful Wisdom Circles have been held so far, in Sydney and Melbourne.

Loreto Ministries hosted a wonderful discussion on MPJP Councils as Small Christian Communities and on Synodality.

Catholic Healthcare hosted an evening in Sydney where participants focussed on intentional communities, and tried out the Conversations in the Spirit which were a main discussion method of the Synod.  Brisbane, Perth and an online Circle are to come!