Czech theologian, philosopher and priest Monsignor Tomáš Halík says we need to broaden the concept of Church and to provide spaces for people to ask questions.
Monsignor Halík spoke in conversation with notable Jesuit priest Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO to hundreds of people at St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, Parramatta and online on Monday as a special guest of the Diocese of Parramatta as part of the Bishop Vincent Presents series of public lectures.
Growing up under communism and a highly secularised former Czechoslovakia, Monsignor Halík explained the self-sacrifice of a young student in protest propelled him to discern his vocation.
After living and serving in the “underground church” during communism, Monsignor Halik was co-responsible for the revival of the Church in Czechoslovakia after the fall of communism. He established an ‘academic parish’ in Prague and since then, baptised over 3000 adults in the faith. In thanking the Holy Spirit for guiding him during this time, he explained that for the catechumens, it was important for them to have the space for discussion and meditation.
Czech theologian, philosopher and priest Monsignor Tomáš Halík (left) in conversation with notable Jesuit priest Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO as part of the Diocese of Parramatta’s ‘Bishop Vincent Presents’ series of public lectures at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Hall, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“It was important to give the catechumens the intellectual background of the faith and to go deeper with the faith, but after their baptism, I realised that when they returned to their hometowns, they were in disbelief.
“We created a spiritual centre where people could come for courses in contemplative prayer, meditation and for spiritual retreats. It opened a space for the seekers and to accept them as they are.
“They had the right to have their doubts and questions, and even if I didn’t have the answers, they were invited to enter into the mystery of God.
“All of our lives are the revelation of God and we should seek God in everything and to discover him – this is the adventure.”
Czech theologian, philosopher and priest Monsignor Tomáš Halík (left) in conversation with notable Jesuit priest Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO as part of the Diocese of Parramatta’s ‘Bishop Vincent Presents’ series of public lectures at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Hall, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
In what he described as the ‘Afternoon of Christianity’, referencing his latest book, Monsignor Halík says that Church should open itself to the Spirit.
“We have witnessed a shattering of the credibility of the Church with the abuse crisis, and Pope Francis has discovered courageously that the abuse crisis was not a problem of some individuals, but a problem of the system.
“We are on the threshold of this ‘afternoon of Christianity’, which is an opportunity to recognise that we have a moment in history for change, deepening the faith, broadening the concept of Church and of Christianity, for more ecumenism, for reform of the Church, for the transformation of the limits of our mentality to open our minds and hearts to the Spirit who is always working in our hearts, in the Church, but also outside the Church.”
RELATED: Watch Monsignor Halík’s public lecture here on YouTube or above
When asked how the global Synodal process can invite the Church to engage with the signs of the times, Monsignor Halík appreciated the Ignatian method of spiritual conversations that was implemented at all stages of the process.
“Synodality is not only the medicine for the Church, but also for the world.
“It was important to have time to answer the question, everybody having the chance to freely express their own opinion, time for reflection and prayer and the time to say what was important from what the other people were saying, not just repeating my own vision.
Czech theologian, philosopher and priest Monsignor Tomáš Halík (left) in conversation with notable Jesuit priest Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO as part of the Diocese of Parramatta’s ‘Bishop Vincent Presents’ series of public lectures at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Hall, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“When we have conflict within our Church, the only way to create an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect is to start with what we have in common, and then why we are looking at this topic differently.
“We should walk in the shoes of the other and look from the perspective of the other and dialogue is the way to broaden my own perspective. We all see things in a limited way, and we need to respect other people and ask questions.
“We should seek and find the Galilee of today, and seek the transformed, living Christ coming to us in different ways.
“The Christian existence is an adventure to discover Jesus in his anonymity and in new forms amongst the non-believers, among the foreigners, the other. It is our task to recognise Him in the wounds of Christ in our world, otherwise, we have no right to say, like St Thomas, ‘my Lord and my God’.
In his vote of thanks after the conversation, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, said Monsignor Halík’s insights into a renewed and reimagined Christianity could serve the Church well into the future.
“We encounter Christ beyond the known boundaries of our world view and the safe moorings of the past. We meet him in the company of seekers of truth.
Czech theologian, philosopher and priest Monsignor Tomáš Halík (left) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta (centre) and Jesuit priest Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO following the Diocese of Parramatta’s ‘Bishop Vincent Presents’ series of public lectures at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Hall, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“Thank you, Tomáš, for your courage, your deep faith steeped in mysticism and suffering and your prophetic message for the Church today.
“We, in Australia and especially here in Parramatta, are so honoured to listen to you, to be inspired and challenged by you.”
Monsignor Halík will deliver the Dom Hélder Câmara Lecture at Newman College, Melbourne, on Thursday evening.
If you wish to purchase materials written by Monsignor Halík, you can purchase them from Pauline Books and Media online or at their Sydney or Melbourne bookstores.
View images from the Monsignor Tomáš Halík public lecture in Parramatta here or below.
