Making History
In June, New York’s new Archbishop, Timothy Dolan, came to welcome the participants at a Forum Institute held at the Passionist Center in Riverdale. (I was there.) He said a lot of positive things about the RCIA. (Click here to read his comments.)
Archbishop Dolan is a church historian as well as a pastor. He commented that historians looking back on developments in the church after Vatican II would no doubt write many books about the RCIA. I was struck by this remark. It seems to me true and important.
The RCIA is not some passing fad, today’s enthusiasm to be forgotten tomorrow. It is having a profound influence on how we understand what it means to be church. The effects of what we do in this ministry will, in all probability, outlast us.
Keep it up, friends. We’re making history!
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That’s an inspiring message Rita! Your book Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium †Rediscovering Vatican II is one of the contributions to chronicling the history that we all need to know about.
Thanks, Nick. This Forum “Beginnings” institute on the catechumenate was a good moment for the Archdiocese. They had hosted a clergy institute in February, also with the North American Forum (full disclosure: I was on that team too), and I think that the clergy event helped to boost attendance at the June event. Cardinal Egan came to the clergy conference and welcomed everybody there. He even stayed for part of it! All went well. Folks were pleased.