Dear Friends

I am writing these few words from Rome where I’ve met with officials at the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) about CRA’s Emerging Futures Initiative, and where I’m now attending our own Conference of Provincials.

Irrespective of the varied discussions in which I’ve participated, one topic has dominated: COVID-19; the coronavirus. As the week has progressed, the situation in Italy has deteriorated; schools and Universities are closed. The Pope has a ‘cold’ and public Masses have been cancelled. There’s even talk of a lockdown. From what I’ve seen, the situation in Australia is similar, though not as drastic. In common though is the anxiety, insecurity and a sense of dread.

Ironically, the very reality that characterises our contemporary society, inter-connectivity and globalisation, is what makes people across the world vulnerable. The more connected we are, the more contact can turn into contagion and contamination. And in this situation fears abound. Antonio Spadaro SJ has suggested that the coronavirus may have become a symptom or symbol of the generalised fear that we carry within us. There is so much promised to us; advertising and media are constantly suggesting life can be better. However, we sense the unreality of this. We harbour anxiety – between what we have and what we want. We in Australia have always feared the ‘outsider’; we have a long history of it. Too often in the past (only the past?) we have seen differences as something to be feared and eliminated. Contact with the other, the different, has been perceived as a contagious risk. You can see evidence of it today in the narrow, security-driven outlook that diminishes our rights, our freedom and the rule of law. Maybe the mask and gloves are an apt symbol of this complex.

However, as we know, fear can isolate us and lead to unhealthy self-focus. While not suggesting that concern for our health and the health of others isn’t essential, we need to ensure we don’t become self-preoccupied. It is always a risk, and undoubtedly the reason why the Evangelists have Jesus repeating the words “fear not” so frequently in the Gospels. Fear can reduce, confine and cripple.

Times of crisis can bring out the best, and worst in people. We only need to think back to the recent bushfires – the heroism of the firefighters and the communities they protected on one hand, and on the other, the immoral activity of looters and thieves who took advantage of people’s suffering. I’m sure we will witness this again in the current health crisis. There will be fighting over toilet rolls, and there will be generous acts of service and kindness – albeit within the bounds of prudent care. We need to be careful, but we need to be hopeful.

We humans like to think that we are in ‘control’; and it’s true that with scientific development we have more control over our world than ever before. However, it’s not total. We are not God. We need to cooperate and collaborate with all aspects of our world – we really do need to work towards communion. This is what we are called to, at present.

Commenting on the impact of the coronavirus on the Vatican, Robert Mickens concluded his report with some advice. I’ll repeat it: “It's said that laughter is the best medicine. And we'll certainly all go crazy if we don't try to keep at least some sense of humour in the midst of all this. So, allow me to pass on some advice:

"Stay calm and don't lose your head." – St John the Baptist

"This is not the Apocalypse." – St John the Evangelist

"Wash your hands often." – Pontius Pilate

"Avoid greeting people with a hug and kiss." – Judas

"Pets and other animals cannot spread this disease." – St Francis of Assisi

Prayers and blessings,

Br Peter Carroll FMS,

President, Catholic Religious Australia.