Read my lips: tax me - The Laity

I view the challenge of being a Catholic in 1992 much the same as I view the challenge that faces America; the need to "give an account of ourselves." For some of us, now and in the years to come, it will necessitate an honesty to admit that we have lived the life of abundance, and a conversion to divest ourselves of this power, to reduce the terrible burden we have placed on the poor and future generations. We the people of God must adopt an "option for the poor" that will allow our government to tax those of us with plenty, so the less fortunate will have an opportunity for life.

We must work in this time to truly heal the wounds of centuries of racial and gender oppression, by committing ourselves to this effort in prayer, deed, and financial resources. Isolated white Catholic communities must develop an ecumenical relationship, of work and worship, with inner-city and black churches to gain greater knowledge of their lives, pain, and struggles.

We must grow in respect for all life, and be witnesses of this by our lives and our deeds. We must provide for all children: safe homes, spiritual and physical nourishment, and education. We cannot just say we are for life; we must do the works of life even at the cost of sacrifice.

Lastly, I believe we must develop a more global view and see our interdependence with all people, not just ecologically but as children of the one God.

That which is of primary importance for me from the institutional church is respect for the presence and work of the Spirit in the lives of the laity. This calls for humility and the admission that the free-flowing and life-giving grace of the Spirit that enriches the community does not have its source in the hierarchy but in God; cannot be held captive and "blows where it wills" (John 3:8), residing equally in both women and men. This recognition must be more than mere words. It calls for a genuine penitential attitude on the part of the hierarchy for "laying burdens" on the faithful, and an honest ongoing dialogue so the "sense of the faithful" will be heard, and the pain and alienation of so many will be attended to.

In this new and open posture the church would be less concerned with power and truly become servant and sacrament to the world.

Jane Lewis Engelke works with the Eastern Connecticut chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). She lives in Ledyard, Connecticut.

COPYRIGHT 1992 Commonweal Foundation
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