Serving Tea

I know a woman who did a degree in theology. Following her primary degree, she decided to do a Masters. On obtaining her Masters she announced she was going on mission to Africa, and hoped to be working in a university. When I asked about her work, she replied, "oh, I don't mind if I just get to make the tea, I just would love to be in the university environment."

As it happened the mission was put off for a while and in the meantime she ended up in another country where she went to a Catholic conference. She introduced herself to the organisers and told them about her qualifications and if in any way she could help, she would be delighted. The organisers thanked her and asked her if she wouldn't mind helping out with the teas as they had no one to serve the tea. She left the conference and reported that it was the worst conference she ever went to, not what she had expected at all.

Ambition is a terrible thing. To serve or to lecture, that is the question!

The Moral Journey?

I listened to Dr. Suzanne Mulligan, a lecturer in Moral Theology at The Milltown Institute, Dublin, give a talk at the Knock Shrine Novena last week. The title was 'The Moral Journey':
Here's an extract:

Perhaps something new can be born out of this terrible time we are in. But that is an invitation for all of us to take our part. That leads us to the question of renewal in the Church. In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s a renewal took place in Catholic theology culminating in the Second Vatican Council. Pope John XXIII who called that Council, famously likened it to opening the windows of the Church and letting in the light and the air to refresh an otherwise dark and stuffy place. His vision was of a Church that would be relevant in the rapidly changing world of the 1960s. A Church that could contribute with confidence to the global conversation. In short, he wanted to update the Church. We must face the issues of today's Church with the same courage and determination that Pope John XXIII showed when he called the Council. So, what sort of renewal would I like to see? Well, I believe if we are serious about renewal we must focus on a number of things. And for me, one of the most important is the need to become more welcoming, an inclusive Church. What do I mean by that? What are the implications? What we need to ask, whether, like Jesus, we are a Church that welcomes all people, the sinner as well as the saint. Is there place at our table for the gay couple living together, for the divorced and remarried, for the bad neighbour or the bad parent. Will we welcome the abuser? If we are serious about reconciliation then we need to confront questions such as these. Also renewal must be forward looking. Renewal of structures, attitudes and policies will contribute to the repentance that must take place in our Church at present.

I'd like to ask Dr. Mulligan her own question? What does she mean by that? Does she mean that anyone living an openly gay relationship should be allowed to receive Communion? Does she mean that divorced and remarried couples should be allowed to receive Communion? A bad parent is not on the same par as the two examples above. Where does she get her theology from? A liberal, feminist college?
Call the Vatican visitation help line. God help us!