Nero fiddles

In the Nov. 6 issue of CNT, I was struck by the juxtaposition of two articles: "Bishops vote on propositions" and "Retreats down the rabbit hole."

The first one reported the outcomes of the recent Synod of Bishops in Rome. The second one was a report on the gathering of retreat directors at Retreats International. The first reminded me of the times when I was a passive pew- sitter in the late 1950s. The second transported me to the hope-filled days immediately after Vatican II.

In Genesis, we were created as "Imago Dei." Did the Bishops not allow themselves to be led by the Spirit of Pentecost where they did not want to They responded to the priest shortages, saying: "Pray for new priests, for pastors to encourage young people (males) to go into the priesthood, and for bishops to be more willing to share their priests with dioceses in need, if they have a surplus."

Nero fiddling while Rome bums.

The Retreats article, on the other hand, provided a spirit of imagination and creativity. Inner city people with suburbanites practising Ignatian Spirituality, Christians receiving insights on Jesus from Buddhist meditation, spiritual yearning bringing together a variety of religious traditions. The faithful ride the Spirit's tide.

The prophet Joel said: "It will come to pass in the last days. God says, 'that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.' Prophecies, visions, dreams.' creators not fiddlers."

Frank Halligan

Kingston, Ont

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