Unfinished business.

Where was I?

On Sunday 27th November, I experienced a part of Church I have never seen before - the Sovereign Military Or der of Malta. This is a quaint group within the Church. It was founded in 1048 in Jerusalem and goes from there, speaking of a history that begins in the Crusades but moves on into the Middle Ages and a Church of power. It exists today as a lay religious Order that is about standing up for the poor and sick. Its members are highly committed Catholics who, as far as I can see, are all professional and well-educated people. They are part of a group that has all the trappings of a history and tradition that go way back.

I mention this group as last weekend Thailand had its investiture of seven new knights and dames into the Order. This establishes the Knights of Malta here. I wonder what Thais - a Buddhist people of Asia - make of a group that is so Catholic and European with its medieval roots and displays of pageantry.

Its local members are wealthy, hi-so Thais. Thay are of the Catholic and Thai elite. I would think that Thais would see this group within the context of their own culture and society where prestige,status and heirarchy are so important. They were told that they are the elite in helping the poor but as with everything here I see the other side at play.

My boss, Bishop Pibul, was at the cathedral for them. He saw the cathedral community and he saw me there. That gave him a business idea which for him is a Church outreach. I could become more actively pastoral with the community there and that would be a base for fund raising for the local church.

Herein lies the basis for a personally experienced cultural conflict.

I cannot use pastoral outreach as a business venture. That is not me and goes against who I am. Meanwhile, he is expressing what he sees as being good Church from his standpoint and I can appreciate that but it is just not me and I could never do it without endangering my own integrity. Therein lies the business (or cultural or pastoral) conflict. I know what I have to do and what I have to follow. It just is that Bishop P's way is not way and will not be, nor does it have to be.