2011-02-01 11:17:50

Consecrated Life: the Church's life-giving ecosystem


They’re the glue that keeps the Church together: the religious and lay people who consecrate their lives to Christ, and bear witness to his love through ministry and charity. On February 2nd each year, the Church celebrates those who have chosen Consecrated Life as their vocation – and this year is no exception. Pope Benedict, together with religious and consecrated lay faithful, will be celebrating an evening vespers Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Speaking to Tracey McClure, the Secretary of the Pontifical Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life Archbishop Joseph Tobin, explains that it was Pope John Paul II who first instituted a Day for Consecrated Life back in 1997:

JT “It’s important to look at the original inspiration of Pope John Paul II, that this was not simply for consecrated people, but it is for the Church. And it’s important to remind the Church of the presence of this particular vocation which he judged himself. I think if you read some of his own writings, especially the apostolic exhortation Vita Consecrata – that he saw it as something quite important and I would even say essential for the Church’s life. So, I think the celebration on February 2nd was first and foremost for the Church, to remind the faithful of the beauty and the importance of this vocation.”

Archbishop Tobin says in his job, he deals with all forms of consecrated communities: monks, teaching religious, missionaries, as well as people who live the contemplative life separately from society.

JT “I think, taken together, it is a sort of ecosystem and like the Amazonian rain forest, it is essential to the larger system of the Church. Without that rain forest, we would find it very difficult to breathe because it provides oxygen for the world and I think in some ways, consecrated life should provide oxygen for the church”

TM "Pope Benedict has pointed to cloistered communities as often being “united” to Christ’s Passion, 'taking on themselves the sufferings and trials of others and offering everything with joy for the salvation of the world.' In today’s age of 3 second sound bites, iphones, youtube and twitter, some might think cloisters are passe’….are they?"

JT “I don’t think so and I think most of the brothers and sisters that I know that live that particular lifestyle wouldn’t think so – especially the younger members who are attracted by the …depth that one finds in a cloister: the depth is a recognition that reality isn’t simply a superficial or passing fad”

TM "People were shocked by the cases of clerical sex abuse, and revelations that the leader of at least one institute for religious life had seriously compromised his vows and the trust of his followers. I’m thinking in particular of the Legionaries of Christ. The faithful, and many young seminarians and priests have felt helplessly betrayed by those whom they once trusted. To what extent have these scandals taken a toll on vocations in the church and do you think enough has been done to purge such behaviour from the church and ensure it never happens again?"

JT “Religious and priests around the world in my experience have been touched and hurt by this scandal… because all of us feel a bit suspect…
I’ve also found that if people know us, they will eventually form their own judgement about whether we’re the real deal or not. And I think that the Church, both locally and universally, is making serious efforts and progress to ensure to the best we can that scandals don’t occur. I don’t think we can give a one hundred percent guarantee because (in the end) people are free, and they’re free to choose very evil things.”

“I do believe that religious leaders have a special responsibility to offer a witness that is transparent in all senses of the word and when we don’t do that, the price is very severe.”

“We also try to take preventative measures in the sense that when we look at the state of a religious order, its own self examination, we pay special attention to the formation that’s being given and to the selection of candidates to ensure that the beauty of that particular vocation is reflected in the care with which candidates are admitted and later formed.”

TM "When most people think of consecrated persons, they think first of religious men and women – but some of our listeners might be surprised to learn there are other forms of consecrated life such as consecrated virgins and consecrated hermits. What sets consecrated people apart from the rest of the faithful?" Listen to Archbishop Tobin's response in the full interview: RealAudioMP3









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