Hope that National Conference of Priests will leave wrangles behind

IT is to be hoped that next week's National Conference of Priests, to be held in Birmingham, will leave behind the kind of wrangles which threaten to disrupt the Catholic Church. The theme of this year's conference is Justice and Peace.
The NCP began in 1970 at Wood Hall, Leeds, in what was first thought to be a oneoff meeting. But such was the spirit and enthusiasm of that meeting that it was decided to meet again annually.
Despite criticism and attack and denial from some quarters, the NCP is a representative body of the clergy of England and Wales. Like most representative bodies (parliament. local government, trade unions) it is only representative in so far as opportunity is given to vote by age groups, and like other bodies it suffers from inertia among many of its constituents.
Between 70 and 80 priests are drawn from all the dioceses of England and Wales. and though enthusiasm varies, the bishops of the two countries support the conference — a number of them attending its annual meeting.
Indeed, over the years one of the achievements of the NCP has been increasingly close collaboration with the Bishops' Conference. including meetings between the two standing committees during the year for discussion of common problems.
The post-Vatican II Church set up commissions of various kinds us direct working groups under the bishops. Though itself independent and not an episcopal commission, the NCP is represented on the Commissions for the Laity. Priestly Formation, Revision of Diocesan Boundaries, the Committee for Clerical Pensions and the European Conference of Priests.
Growing pains may be over
The first purpose of meeting in 1970 was for priests to get together to discuss priestly life, attitudes, problems and so on. This theme continued through several conferences, linking with the Roman Synod on priestly ministry and the production by two joint working parties of bishops, clergy. religious and lay people.
One was on Co-Responsibility and the Clergy and was rather "priest-centred", the other produced the interim report on pastoral strategy called Church 2000.
The present conference we all hope will show that the growing pains and inwardlooking topics are now cleared away, and we can look out to the needs of the world.
The first day we will try to look at the situation between ourselves and the developing or Third World. We want to he not simply theoretical but practical. Resolutions have come in from the length and breadth of the country. They reflect concern that we are not on an individual, parochial, diocesan and national level doing nearly enough for the really poor of the world.
If every parish in every diocese, and every person in every parish was converted to action against poverty we would see two things: 1. A huge increase in direct aid through our self-denial in Friday Fast schemes, help through CAFOD, and so on.
2. A new understanding that such aid is insufficient and may even he wrong, because the basic need is for us to help those who are less well off to achieve their own wellbeing.
But this latter development calls for self-examination on our own use of money, banking. exploitation through prices and investment and so on.
This is tough stuff for the average parishioner to get bothered about .. . but we need to open our eyes and minds priests helping to animate the laity, the laity urging on the priests.
The second day we look nearer home. The situation in Ireland cries out both for justice and peace. Many fear talking about Ireland, many feel we have no right to do so; some feel we cannot help anyhow.
We pray and we hope for constructive discussion leading to new initiatives and a greater immediacy of concern and action for a peaceful solution, and then the building of a future of friendship and trust and equality.
We also have too many areas of injustice and lack of peace at home. We cannot even touch them all. But we do want to take constructive steps to recognise and work in our Universal Church for a brotherhood of all races, colours and classes.
This needs planning: it also needs immediate living of open neighbourly friendliness. We must cut out of ourselves by hard work and prayer any racial prejudice we may have in us.
We also need urgently to he involved in trying to battle with inflation. the disastrous effects of unemployment — especially among the young and the general lack Of disciplined living towards a less selfish and more fair society. with God-based values.
That brings us to the third day, when matters of general concern are raised, varying from internal order of the conference, marriage law and custom. arms sales. care of the handicapped. and so on. This is a day on which the conference in session itself decides which issues to tackle.
In general this promises to he an exciting and educative week for the clergy who arc present. It is hoped the media will give a full, fair and unsensational account which together with the report-hack from the representatives will really move the Catholic Church members in F.ngland and Wales to deepening their Christian living.
And for the Future: more education for clergy and people so that they may share their vision of Christ's Message not only among themselves but nationwide and beyond in thought, word and action. through prayer, fasting and service.
If you have read this far, then please pray with and for us at the conference that God may send His Holy Spirit to he with us in all we say and do.
Michael Hollings