An article about a student at Boston College who’s intending to become a Jesuit drew my attention.
I give great kudos to this young man who seems prepared to give his life to Christ. But I question the basics he’s been taught by the Jesuit college. Just read these few paragraphs:
Kennedy says he sees the church as a dynamic institution, and that he feels responsible for helping to bring about its renewal.
“I’m not entering the church of 50 years ago or 500 years ago. I’m entering the church in 2012,’’ he said. “So you have to be realistic about the challenges of the images of priesthood in this day and age. . . . I don’t find it daunting, but it’s going to be a challenge.’’
He says he shares some of the critics’ questions, such as why the Vatican decided to investigate the US nuns, and why the church has taken such a hard line against gay relationships. He talks about the importance of lay empowerment and of affirming the role of women as leaders in the church. When he becomes a priest, he says, he plans to adopt a consensus-building approach, as some of the best priests he knows have done.
“The intentions of leadership within the church I don’t think are bad – I don’t think they wake up every day and say, ‘How can we make someone’s life miserable?’’’ he said. “But . . . what is the lived experience of Catholics today? You have to account for that.’’
A lot to worry about in that. I pray for the day that Jesuit colleges do a better job of teaching the faith.
