Archbishop calls for renewal of humanity in the face of modern challenges at Key Leaders Assembly
(L-R) Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Jacinta Collins, Greg Sheridan and Ross Fox – Photo supplied Catholic Education
In a display of unity and purpose, key leaders from the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn convened for the Annual Key Leaders Day at the Mercure in Belconnen on August 9.
This year’s theme, “Catholic Leadership in the Public Square,” brought together Archdiocesan education leaders and clergy to reflect on the highlights and challenges surrounding Catholic leadership locally and nationally.
In a heartfelt address, Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse emphasised the urgent need for renewal within humanity during the Year of the Holy Spirit as preparations for the Archdiocese’s October Assembly progress.
Archbishop Prowse began by expressing gratitude to the leaders for their ongoing commitment to Catholic education, highlighting their crucial role in navigating today’s complex societal landscape.
Reflecting on a personal experience from his seminary days involving a troubled colleague, Archbishop Prowse shared insights from a wise Spiritual Director who expressed a profound concern: “I am worried about your humanity.”
He called on attendees to broaden this sentiment to our contemporary world, questioning, “Could it be said that humanity is worried about humanity?” He lamented the prevalent feelings of despair, ideological polarization, and societal fragmentation.
Archbishop Prowse proposed two principles drawn from the Catholic tradition to address these challenges. The first, rooted in Jewish heritage, encourages a “renewal of humanity from within.” He illustrated this with a poignant parable about a Rabbi who asked his students how to discern day from night. Each offered a division of what they saw until the Rabbi replied, “The true answer is that when you look into the eyes of the person beside you and you can truly say, ‘You are my brother, you are my sister,’ then truly the night has ended and the day has begun.”
Archbishop Prowse addresses the gathering – Photo supplied Catholic Education
The Archbishop emphasised that recognising each person’s dignity is fundamental to healing society’s divisions. Furthermore, he stressed the Christian call to “renew humanity from within in the light of Jesus—Crucified and Risen.” C.S. Lewis’s assertion, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen,” served as a powerful reminder of the guiding hope Christians can offer to a weary world.
In presenting the Church as a “field hospital in the middle of a battleground,” Archbishop Prowse highlighted the importance of both intellectual and contemplative traditions in addressing societal woes. He referred to the “Peter Principle,” urging leaders to seek harmony between subjective experiences and objective truths to promote the common good.
Moreover, he invoked the spirit of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop, who “exemplified the necessity of embracing suffering for the sake of healing others”. Archbishop Prowse underscored a Marian principle, drawing attention to the power of silent, authentic witness in attracting others to faith.
Looking ahead, he urged attendees to embark on “a pilgrimage of hope”, calling for a united front in rekindling dignity and love amidst ongoing societal strife.
“May we be men and women of hope… to heal our humanity,” he concluded, encapsulating the day’s message of renewal and compassion.
The day began with a time of prayer followed by a series of guest speakers, including Rachel Kohn, a Canadian-born Australian author and broadcaster; journalist Greg Sheridan; and Jacinta Collins, Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission.
- Download Archbishop Prowse’s talk HERE