Today there was a visiting priest from Kenya. Still a young man, he has a masters in church organisation. He is going to need it. After completing his studies he returned to his diocese three years ago. One bishop, 3 priests and more than 200 catechists. In most churches mass only takes place once in several months. He is responsible for training all the catechists , whom he so obviously cares about , even trying to provide them with food and telling them of good strains of fruit an d vegetables to grow. He is also responsible for the hospice services and for seeing that the many thousands of children in Catholic schools, primary and secondary, receive religious education.
One man. However much he feels the power of God within him, however strong his call to serve – just one man.
But we can’t have women to help him can we? After all God doesn’t speak to women about the priesthood does He? This week is the feast day of St Teresa of Avilla. If I go to the service on Friday I wonder if any mention will be made of the fact that she , like many others, felt she wanted to be a priest – an office denied to her, a saint of the church, by the rules of men! I don't really wonder. I know it won't be.
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