Ever hear of parallel universes and cognitive dissonance? It sounds like the stuff of science fiction and I am inclined to believe that’s what it is: fiction.
But every now and then, I feel that I have crossed over into a parallel universe where black is white, up is down and forward is backward.
This has been the case especially in two stories involving the Church which were published this past week.
First was the story about Pope Francis threatening to suspend all the Priests of a diocese in Nigeria unless they stopped challenging the appointment of their Bishop whom no one, neither laity or Clergy, will accept!
Imagine, the Pope of charity and accompaniment threatening such a definitive and uncharacteristically harsh punishment!
Then, within the matter of a few days, we read this story.
Cardinal Oswald Gracies, Archbishop of Bombay and one of the Pope's close advisers, told the National Catholic Reporter in an interview that the Council of Cardinals — also known as the C9, a group of advisors Francis setup a few months after his election in 2013 — are considering whether to give more weight to the laity when choosing Bishops.
The nomination of a Bishop normally is usually at the behest of neighboring Bishops, the predecessor Bishop, Apostolic Nuncios and the Pope. Though the laity are at times consulted, Cardinal Gracias said, “we have left it to the discretion of the Nuncio whether he will” speak to them.
"We were reflecting whether we should not make it obligatory," the Cardinal said.
By forcing the Nuncios to consult with laypeople, the process would become more “objective”. If the appointment procedures were formally widened to include members outside the normal clerical gamma, Cardinal Gracias said, a person may be chosen that is better able to to interact with his diocese.
“If, however, you choose the wrong person, things can be set back by years in the pastoral life of the church” the Cardinal emphasized.
Can we all say: "Nigeria"!
If the Pope were to take this recommendation on board, it would represent the latest effort to get a greater number of laypeople involved in the running of the Church.
According to Francis, and those close to him, a more marked lay presence within the Church’s governance — both centrally and locally — would allow for a more “pastoral” approach, one that is more aware of the needs of its faithful and better suited to meet them.
Is this before or after Francis' threats to the Nigerian Clergy?
So which universe am I living in? Frankly, I can’t tell!
Oh well, let's consider things which perhaps similar but more lighthearted: will Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians of the Galaxy, hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, protect their precious batteries from invaders?
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