|
|
|
Introduction
of a "Church Day of Mourning” March 12, 2000: Pope John
Paul II admitted the guilt of 2000 years of church history It was a unique step when Pope John Paul II publicly
confessed guilt in 2000 for the great sins and crimes that have been
committed in the history of the Church. As valuable as the late pope's action was in
principle as a first step, it would certainly be necessary to repeat this
rite annually with varying emphasis and differentiation; for all members are
affected in some way by the historical guilt of a religious community. Until
the insight into guilt, the will to improve and the learning processes in
such a large community become established and have an
effect on the consciousness of at least a large part of the members, a
process is needed which lasts for many years. In addition, it is necessary to initiate this
process in each new generation that is growing up. Thus, in my
opinion, it would make sense to introduce an annual "Ecclesiastical Day
of Mourning" in the Church, which, similar to
the Misereor campaigns during Lent in Germany,
should be well prepared and designed with historical information,
contemporary prayer texts, gestures and symbolic actions, and which should be
accompanied by an offer of the media for schools and public relations. A
central nationwide event could also accompany penitential services in all
parishes in all countries affected. In any case, it should be clarified
in concrete terms how we have learnt from the dark phases of
the past for the present of the Church and which direct changes for today
result from them - this precisely through honest reflection and a deeper
understanding of the causes of those problematic events in Church history. A
central nationwide event could also accompany penitential services in all
parishes in all affected countries. Thus, some upcoming changes would be the result of a
spiritual process of conversion appropriate to the Christian faith. The historical weight is immense and greatly hinders
the proclamation of faith to the next generation. All the
more so, as they are becoming better informed about the darker sides
of Church history through an increasing level of historical education,
through access to data and background information by means of the internet,
and through feature films and documentaries, including witch trials,
persecutions of heretics, religious wars, and the suppression of scientific
research, to name only the most important. A "Church Day of Mourning" could initiate
a spiritual learning process that would enormously increase the credibility
of Christians and church leadership. If some bishops' conferences decided to
introduce a "Church Day of Mourning", they would have no problems
with canon law or with the Vatican for doing so. Manfred
Hanglberger (www.hanglberger-manfred.de) LINK to share: https://www.hanglberger-manfred.de/en-kirchentrauertag.htm
Other texts in English >>> |
