"For things to work, everyone is important, and only when we work together, can we achieve what is truly necessary to live, to live with hope." - Obispo Roberto, of Chiclayo Diocese, speaking to his people, during Covid.
We better know Obispo Roberto as our Pope Leo XIV. Whether as Augustinian, priest, bishop or Pope, he shows a true appreciation of the role of every person in Church, with recognition being given to each person's role. This upholds the dignity of all, and not just that of an elite. "We are Church" becomes the cry. It is the cry for the communion of all, within a diversity of roles and gifts being exercised, whatever they may be.
This is revolutiomary stuff in a world where individualism reigns supreme and power is held in the hands of the mighty and the wealthy. This is revolutionary stuff in our church with its professional hierarchy and and self-assured righteouness.
Can we rather recognize that, in the midst of our weakness and fragility, lies our true strength? This is the paradox of who we are, as followers of the poor and humble Christ. This is reflected in the words of Pope Leo, when speaking at the Angelus, afer mass on the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul.
"What appears great and glorious to us today, was originally rejected and excluded because it ran counter to the thinking of this world. Those who follow Jesus must tread the path of the Beatitudes, where poverty of spirit, meekness, mercy hunger and thirst for justice, and peace-making are often met with opposition and even persecution. Yet God's glory shines forth in his friends and continues to shape them along the way, passing from conversion to conversion."
Not to own and appreciate our weakness and fragility is to deny part of who we are and to place ourselves in a false position of power. We may only truly grasp our power when we own our poverty. Then we can listen, enter into dialogue and build bridges, key themes of the programme for building Church in the mould of Synodality.
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