The Catholic crisis

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Saint Augustine of Hippo, a seminal thinker on...
Saint Augustine of Hippo, a seminal thinker on the concept of just war (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
"Holy mother church"—historians are not certain who first said it. The statement has been attributed by some to Cyprian, by others to Augustine. The assertion has survived since the early centuries of Christian history—"Who does not have the church as his mother does not have God as his Father." From its earliest days, the church was given the appellation "mother."

The use of paternal and maternal language is an intriguing phenomenon in religion. We cannot deny the virtual universal tendency to seek ultimate consolation in some sort of divine maternity. We have all experienced the piercing poignancy that attends the plaintiff cry of a child who, in the midst of sobs, says, "I want my mommy." Who of us, when we were children, did not utter these words? Among those who are parents, which of us has not heard these words?

The nurturing function of the church most clearly links it to the maternal image. Hence a stain and a disgrace when we hear of child sex abuse within the Australian catholic Church. 

Because it is in the church that we are given our spiritual food. We gain strength from the sacraments ministered to us. Through the Word we receive our consolation and the tears of broken hearts are wiped clean. When we are wounded, we go to the church for healing.

Yet, is it celibacy, sin or demonic forces that is motivating priests to do the unthinkable? Will an Royal Commission stop sin and bring healing when only God can heal?
Spend some time reflecting on the nurturing function of the church. Is this evident in your church fellowship?

Ephesians 2:19-21: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Hebrews 10:24-25: "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching."

Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

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