50 years ago at Vatican II, the world's Bishops gave our Church hope

I’m Grieving, You’re Grieving, We’re Grieving!

Fifty Years ago at Vatican II, 

the world’s Bishops gave our Church Hope.

They reaffirmed Freedom/Primacy of Conscience.

Today’s hierarchy says it must conform to their pronouncements.

We grieve.

A church governed in loving Collegiality was promised;

We’ve been dealt a Feudal Monarchy.

We grieve.

The Sharing of Power with local Synods of Bishops Representing the People

was foretold.

Power, instead, has been consolidated in the chief hierarch.

We grieve.

Lay Leadership of and in the Church was mandated.

Rather, the laity have been re-delegated to less-than-clergy.

We grieve.

Ecumenism was seen as essential to the future of

Catholicism, Christianity, Religion.

Instead, the walls have been raised.

We grieve.

We all got excited about Renewed Liturgical Practice

honoring local Artists, Musicians, and Traditions.

In a show of power, the hierarchs imposed

new archaic liturgical language and rituals.

We grieve.

The Council launched Intellectual Debate with Respect for Theologians.

With the silencing of hundreds, Dialogue is Dead.

We grieve.

The Church of Vatican II was to Heed the Signs of the Times.

Rather than a Church of and in the twenty-first century,

we’re told to revert to the Fifteenth (15^th).

We grieve.

The Bishops of the world correctly saw the Church as the People of God.

Instead the Pyramid has been preserved with the people of God the base.

We grieve.

A Deeper Spirituality was promised,

seen as the essential mission of Church.

The corporate hierarchy of today has no clue.

We grieve.

True Biblical Scholarship was encouraged.

Today, Fundamentalism pervades.

We grieve.

Respect for and Protection of Young people

was deemed essential to the Future of Church.

Instead, Young people are abused

with their abusers protected.

We grieve the alienation and loss of the Young.

Liberation Theology was valued.

Rather, It has been undermined, squelched, stifled, silenced.

Latin America grieves.

The promise of a Christ-like Church with Christ-like Leadership

excited us all.

Yet, It is nowhere to be found.

We grieve.

We grieve.

We grieve the loss of all that Church is meant to be.

Love, John Chuchman

Pastoral Bereavement Educator and Companion

Thanks (I think) for reminding me, Matthew Fox