There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same
Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; 6there are
different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To
each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
(12:4-5)
This is a splendid passage, one that is easy very familiar
and, therefore, easy to read without necessarily reflecting on the implications
of its message. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for some benefit.” I believe that one of the great challenges of implementing
the Second Vatican Council is that of calling forth, nurturing and promoting
the gifts of the Spirit.
When I look at the leadership of our church, I think we have
a long way to go. Our present leadership structure looks like this:
Cardinals: 118 electors, 5 under 60 years of age, 39 in
their 60’s, 74 in their 70”s (92 retired, 80 to 98 years of age)
Archbishops: 715 active
Bishops: 2736 active
Curial Congregations: 7 cardinals 65 – 69, 2 73, 74
Roman Tribunals: 3 cardinals, 64, 71, 74 years of age
Pontifical Councils: 8 cardinals and archbishops in their
60’s, 4 in their 70’s
Roman Offices: 3 cardinals - 69, 69, 78 years of age
Institutes of the Curia: 1 bishop, 3 priests - 47, 56, 68,
70 years of age
Pontifical Commissions: 3 cardinals, 2 archbishops – 65-70
years of ageInterdicasterial Commissions: 5 cardinals, 65 – 78 years of age
Commissions: 6 cardinals, 3 bishops, 1 priest – 62- 73 years of age, 1 layman, head of Swiss Guard, 40 years of age
Other Institutions of the Holy See: 2 cardinals, 7 bishops, 5 priests, 60 – 75 years of age, 2 laymen, 60, 65
All of
the above except for three laymen are celibate male clergy
Vatican City State: 2 cardinals, 1 bishop, 5 priests, age 49
- 56, 10 laymen age 50 – 73
Pontifical Academies: 1 bishop, 3 priests 62 – 75 years of age, 5 laymen 57 to 83 years of age, 1
laywoman age 74
Pontifical Universities: 1 bishop, 17 priests, 1 Religious
woman, 1 layman
Educational Institutes: 1 bishop, 2 priests, 47 – 71 years
of age
Apostolic Nunciatures: 180 archbishops, 51 to 73 years of
age
Apostolic Delegates: 12 archbishops, 53 to 70 years of age
Representatives of the Holy See: 10 bishops, 6 priests- 50
to 73 years of age, 1 layman 69
Of the
over 3600 people in major leadership positions in the Roman Catholic Church all
are celibate male clerics except for 10 laymen, 1 laywoman, 1 woman religious;
no one is under 47 years of age and most are in their mid-fifties to 80 years
of age. Does this give sufficient witness to the gifts of the Spirit?
