On the recent feast of St Joseph, an important letter was sent to all priests in the world by the Vatican. Over the past few years, Pope Francis has made an appeal to all clergy that they should 'smell of the sheep'—they need to be fully involved in their chosen mission and the lives of the people that they work with and for. The Holy Father constantly condemns the cult of clericalism that seeks to elevate priests as something different and more special than everyone else. To be fair, we can still be seen to be encouraging this attitude. As parishioners, do we place our parish priest on a pedestal so high, that they become lonely and aloof? As priests, do we choose to wear clothing that intentionally separates us from the rest of society? Do our attitudes and options hark back to a Church that seems to conveniently forget that Vatican II actually took place over fifty years ago. We can only build a future Church on the basis of firm foundations that includes the wisdom of the likes of John XXIII and Pius XII. We are called to be a Church of 2022–not 1952! A friend related, in horror, when she witnessed two young priests greet each other at her local cathedral: dressed in cassocks and displaying expensive French cuffs, they genuflected before each other. Now I firmly believe that God is present in the wonder of all creation, and I must respect all my sisters and brothers, but I find such an ostentatious display quite worrying—certainly my friend thought so. I suspect that these two priests did not realise just how offensive their actions were. Perhaps their training in the seminary cosseted them, helping them to believe that they were special and different? This public display was just a little sign of how they really did see themselves: we are different to the rest of humanity! One could argue that the training programme for our diocesan priests separates them from the reality of life, helping to create a priestly castle. I am forever grateful for my formation that took place in a traditional seminary and a new university. In those days, the seminary was a constituent college of Durham University, having a strong pastoral programme that took us out of the rarefied and precious atmosphere of the seminary itself. From the very first year, clerical students were mixing with lay students: it was liberating, real and encouraging. We cannot allow our students for the priesthood to live a life that separates them from those they are called to serve. Pope Francis, in speaking to a group of French seminarians, encouraged them to see a bigger picture, rooted in their care for others:

The studies you undertake in the various Roman universities prepare you for your future tasks as pastors and enable you to better appreciate the reality in which you are called to proclaim the Gospel of joy…you need to be people capable of living, of laughing, and crying with your people, in a word, of communicating with them…. a priesthood isolated from the people of God, is neither a Catholic priesthood nor a Christian one. (07/06/2021)

This meeting with the Community of St Louis should be something that parishioners, Bishops, formation leaders, seminarians and priests need to take to heart. He warned them against forming small exclusive cliques, believing themselves to be superior and more intelligent. As one who lives my Salesian priesthood within the context of a supportive and helpful community, I find the Pope's plea for diocesan priests to enjoy community life very helpful. Drawing on his own experience of being a Jesuit, he encouraged a community life of sharing and prayer with joy.:

The priest is a man who, in the light of the Gospel, spreads the taste of God around him and transmits hope to restless hearts.

The Holy Father warns against a clericalism that seeks only perfection. As is so often the case, we must also learn from our frailty and weakness. If we blindly promote a scenario that a priest is so perfect, then we ignore the humanity of priesthood. He points to the fragile priest who finds the Lord in his mistakes. As one who has made mistakes in my life and ministry, I can assure you that we only find the reality and love of God in the ugly mess of life. We need to build a Church that is entirely at the service of the world community, especially in the community we are called to serve. We should not be afraid to dare, to risk and to go forward, assured that with Christ we can be apostles of joy and be grateful for serving our brothers and sisters and the Church. This joy should be accompanied by a sense of humour, the Pope pointed out, adding, that a priest who does not have a sense of humour is not liked:

Imitate those great priests who laugh at others, at themselves and even at their own shadow.

With this sense of joy and gratitude, priests today can offer strong pastoral care. They can preside at a Eucharistic Assembly that leads their congregations forward. Avoiding a strong clericalism will enable parishes to share a spirit of collaboration that avoids the 'Father knows best' mentality. In an age that is seeing fewer candidates coming forward for the ordained priesthood, we need to encourage the priesthood that we all share as a result of our baptism. The shortage of priests in the developed world can be seen as a great blessing: it enables us to promote the vocation that all Christians share.

In many ways, I see the Pope's quest to promote the new synod as timely. We are emerging from an historical period for the Church. Covid-19 saw severe protocols having to be put into place that challenged the way we look at Church. Obligation was removed as our Mass, the source and summit of our Christian living, was accessed online with our church buildings being forced to close. The weekly habit of going to mass was replaced by a new paradigm of an online Church: my own family spoke of dressing up in their best clothes, at first, as they sat reverently in front of their computer screens. By week three, the dress code became pyjamas and t-shirts! As we are coming out of the crisis, we are very aware that the virus has not gone away—people still are vulnerable and can well feel nervous of crowds. Early evidence from organisations such 'Pew Research' shows that those parishes who maintained a strong presence in the lives of their parishioners during the lockdown, are the ones who are thriving in these days, as we try work pastorally in the new normal. As we have seen, it is in difficulty and trauma that we discover our true pastoral sensibilities. In embracing the suffering and crucifixion wrought by a global pandemic, we have discovered new ways to be a Church. This will inform our upcoming discussions as we prepare for the Synod. This 'walking together' needs to be mirrored in our religious communities, dioceses and parishes: everyone, youngest to oldest, has a story to tell and deserves a place at the table. True collaboration will not be easy, as many of us will be forced out of our comfort zones. However, our Christian faith is more than just 'shutting up and paying up!' In our efforts to move on, we do well to heed the words of the Holy Father:

As disciples and friends of Jesus, become agents of dialogue and collaboration with those who believe in God who rules the universe with infinite love. (04/02/2022)

The simple theme of this synod is 'Community, Participation and Mission.' As a dynamic community, we can only go forward together—clericalism works against this. The recent Vatican Letter to all priests from Cardinal Grech and Archbishop Sik comes at the same time when we see the promulgation of the reform of the Vatican civil service, the Curia. Over the nine years of Francis' pontificate, a group of cardinal advisers from around the globe have met regularly in Rome, on average of four times a year, with the primary task of drafting this new constitution, 'Preach the Gospel.' Evangelisation is placed front and centre in the vision of the Church, with Pope Francis opening the leadership of all Curial departments to all the baptised: female and male. This is a strong statement to all of us involved in ministry at a local level—we need to see beyond the roman collar and see the strengths that exist in your parish, school or pastoral setting. The Vatican sees that rigidity can only lead to problems. There is a call for all priests to enter into the spirit of the Synod: we need to listen to each other through sharing ideas and projects—we need not fear to think outside the box. The Church needs to be open and hospitable, a place where all, and not just a select few, feel accepted and valued. The Letter invites us:

to discover more and more the fundamental equality of all the baptized and of stimulating all the faithful to participate actively in the journey and mission of the Church. (19/03/2022)

The Letter helps us to appreciate the pressures that all our parochial clergy are under - sometimes it feels that we are constantly spinning plates. In carrying these pastoral burdens, Bishops and clergy should not be afraid to see how the burden can be shared across the parish family. In listening to each other's story, we learn to value the gifts that all parishioners can share. Collaborative parish councils offer a good model for the Synod process. The Letter addresses the fear that many priests share: if there is an emphasis and need for the 'priesthood of the laity', then is there need for a specific ordained priesthood? The Vatican Bishops urge all priests to concentrate on their specific, and unique, contribution to the life of the Church:

• priests must preach the Word of God with passion and conviction. Priests need to pray, preach and live that Word. Without a true knowledge of this Word, there is a danger that priests will walk in darkness, unable to share the Light of Resurrection and recognition.
• priests are invited to work and follow the command of Jesus: 'this is how people will know that you are my disciples, that you have love for each other!' (Jn 13:35). Thus, sharing the command of Jesus will make demands on each of us. We all belong to the same family of God, each recognising our own individual contributions.
• this call to Synod invites all priests to reach out to others—if they live in their own world, then miss out on the fullness of ministry in the Church. It is a call to 'get dirty' as we become involved. It is a conscious call to love fully and open our hearts to everyone. In many cases it can be easier, in ministry, to remain aloof as true Christian love involves being prepared to make mistakes, as CS Lewis reminds us in 'The Four Loves':

Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.

This Letter to Priests is a strong wake-up call to all involved in pastoral ministry. Our clergy are working hard, often under very difficult circumstances, to build up the family of God. Whatever, our image and model of ordained priesthood, there is a call from the Vatican for priests to offer genuine care for a Church today, as it moves out of a pandemic. Your local priest needs your support, wisdom and constructive criticism—we are on this exciting journey of faith together. We are called:

to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another, and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands. (Synod: Preparatory Document 32)

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Image: LeeAnn Cline on Unsplash