‘Rebuild my church…’
Trent Angers
Church reform is needed today as surely as it was needed in the days of Francis of Assisi.
The need for reform was made crystal clear to Francis as he was praying before the crucifix in the chapel of San Damiano in Assisi, Italy, in the 13th century. It was then and there that Francis heard the voice of Christ himself:
“Rebuild my church, which is falling into ruin.”
I take these words as a directive not only to Francis in his day but also to Franciscans of every generation. I understand them as a mantra that resonates in the hearts and minds of many Christians around the world–to continue working to reform the church for the better.
John Wijngards has surely gotten the message as he has worked for church reform for much of his adult life. He does so because of his love and concern for the church.
I know this because I’ve seen it firsthand as I edited this book, as well as an earlier book of his titled What They Don’t Teach You in Catholic College: Women in the Priesthood and the Mind of Christ.
San Damiano crucifix from which Christ, according to legend, told Francis to rebuild his church
Dr. Wijngaards knows, and I know, that the church’s hierarchy is tragically mistaken in their assertion that Christ wanted only men to be priests. Some in the higher echelons are frightened by the very idea of change. They cling to a suffocating style of arch-conservatism out of fear–to the detriment of the church they should be serving with courage and open-mindedness.
And while women in the priesthood is a major issue in the Catholic Church, this book deals with multiple issues. Thus, its title TEN Commandments for Church Reform. For instance, should priests be allowed, or encouraged, to marry? Is the job of a priest primarily to defend institutions or is it to serve people? Should the church treat the laity as adults or continue with the pre-Vatican II mentality of treating them as children?
It’s plain to see from the pages of this book that John Wijngaards is a man of wisdom and great knowledge, a priest who loves his church and will always advocate for its best interests. And because of this, I feel privileged to have been able to play a part in bringing this book to fruition.
—Trent Angers, OFS
(Secular Franciscan Order)
Editor & Publisher
Acadian House Publishing
Lafayette, Louisiana USA
