Pope John Paul's Holy Thursday letter presents problems

Catholic New Times, July 4, 2004 by Simone Demers

On the day when we remember the Body of Christ in our faith communities, it was with sadness that I read Pope John Paul's Holy Thursday Letter to Priests.

The letter begins auspiciously by describing the Chrism Mass as an "image of the Church as a priestly people made holy by the sacraments," called to witness to the Good News. John Paul waxes romantic as he envisions all the priests entering the Upper Room where the ordained clerics were "born as priests."

I had never heard the theological assertion that clerics "were born from the Eucharist."

On the other hand, my theology informs me that all Christians are born into the church through baptism and confirmation. Isn't our common vocation "to put on Christ" downplayed by the claim that only ordained ministers are able "to act in persona Christi?"

Such a jarring dichotomy between the elite, clerical class and the plebian non-ordained "others" belies the common priesthood we are called to celebrate. Where is the recognition of our call to wash each other's feet in a communion of equal members gifted by the Spirit?

In section 3, the priesthood is placed on an equal level with the mystery of the Eucharist, in "an interplay which goes back to the Upper Room."

We are told that the Eucharist was entrusted to the Apostles at the Passover Meal celebration. As a faithful son of Israel, Jesus would have celebrated the Seder meal in a family setting with men, women and children in attendance. When he said "Do this in memory of me," he charged all of the assembled believers to perpetuate his memory.

The tradition that Jesus ordained only male disciples at this meal cannot be confirmed by historical facts. Many of the Apostles seem to have dropped out of historical sight after the Resurrection event. The New Testament never gives a clear picture of any follower of Jesus presiding at the Eucharist.

The early church had little structure, and certainly did not have priests or hierarchies. In their faith in the Risen Christ, communities practised a "discipleship of equals," where people ministered according to their different charisms. In Antioch, male and female prophets and teachers led the people in liturgical worship (Acts 13-14). The tradition of ordination developed later in the church, not on Holy Thursday.

John Paul states in his letter that "The Eucharist, like the priesthood, is a gift from God which radically transcends the power of the assembly." Does a hierarchical wall separate the people and the priests, the people and God? Let's get radical, with the unconditional love of God in immanent relationship with the assembly!

The pope imagines Jesus looking at each priest "with the same look of loving encouragement" given to male followers. He fails to mention the loving looks Jesus directed at Mary, Mary Magdalene and the women ministering for the Reign of God.

The theology of the people of God is then skewed by the political agenda of the hierarchy in order to promote vocations of young men seeking clerical status. Priests are invited to communicate "Eucharistic amazement" to children and youth in order to attract more men to a celibate life. Priests are asked to "show special care for altar servers" and look upon them "as their own children." It is chilling to set priests up on a pedestal for imitation in the light of so many abuse cases perpetrated by clergy in recent years. Is this evidence that John Paul is turning a blind eye to the actions of morally compromised clergy?

Finally, Mary who first incarnated the Eucharist in her body is given the exclusive role of "Mother of Priests."

In 1964, Paul VI dedicated Mary's motherhood to the entire Church as a way of incarnating the spirit of Jesus' life and mission into the lives of the people of God.

Indeed, it is easier for me to rejoice on Holy Thursday when the whole Church as a priestly people is called on to witness to the Gospel of the reign of God and then to minister.

Simone Demers is an adult educator and student of theology. She writes from Edmonton.