Editorial

A Prophetic Voice in our Time

As the queue of the faithful lined up outside Melbourne’s Town Square on a brisk Thursday night in May, the doorman is heard to say, “We haven’t seen a crowd like this one since the pandemic broke out.  Who is speaking tonight?” It was Joan Chittister, the woman we had been waiting to hear for more than 12 months, and whose inspiration and challenges were obviously needed to lift our spirits and hearts. 

If asked, we could easily call to mind so many events that speak to us of inequality and injustices, corruption and excessive exertion of power by the powerful. The voice of the hopeful can be drowned out by local, national and international news that highlight human suffering and pain.  Yet Joan Chittister’s gift is to inspire us to make the impossible possible, the invisible visible and the powerless powerful. 

She speaks of the great courage that is demanded of us if we are to follow the path of the prophets who speak the voice and vision of God in the world, to make the world a better place and to allow equality, safety, inclusion and compassion for all. Joan Chittister is a truth teller and offers us a compelling vision to live as prophets and as powerful activists for a future not yet our own. It can be daunting to think of ourselves as prophets, something out of the reach of ordinary people, something mystical and difficult to define. Chittister’s definition is energizing.  The prophet is the person who says no to everything that is not of God:-

No to the abuse of women

No to the rejection of the stranger

No to crimes against immigrants

No to the rape of trees

No to the pollution of the skies 

No to the poison of the oceans

No to the despicable destruction of humankind for the sake of more wealth, 

more power, more control for a few.

No to death 

The prophet is one who speaks the truth to the culture of lies, and while saying no, also says yes:-

Yes to equal right for all

Yes to alleviating suffering

Yes to embracing the different

Yes to who God made you

Yes to life

Prophets live out our their daily lives on the streets that demand commitment and heart felt concern for our neighbour. Chittister says, “Prophets are more committed to commitment than they are to social approval” and “are more full of hope in the future than they are afraid of pain in the present”.  The prophetic message seems clear. We are not here simply to succeed today. “We are here to seed the present with godliness so that others may someday reap the best of what we sowed”. Isn't this the message that Jesus preached?

The Strategic Plan of the Trustees advocates the same. The umbrella statement says:

As enablers of justice and faced with a world that can be indifferent, we will work to be prophetic voices of hope, peace, justice and love.

The Living Justice Living Peace charter as the guide they describe the three pillars: 

Living with Compassion  

Our common humanity and sacred dignity compel us to embrace those who are suffering and disempowered

Leading with Courage 

Mission governance and leadership in our ministries and church takes discernment, courage, and resilience to push against the tide of secularism and individualism 

Learning with Wonder 

Ecological justice challenges us to heal our wounded earth 

The challenge is to say no to everything that is not of God and yes to speaking truth to a culture that is indifferent, in whatever small way we can. Perhaps we are not ready to consider ourselves prophets in this time but we could consider to make a difference to the lives of those we touch. Finally, Chittister leaves us with this thought: “May we all become the shapers of the world we want and as responsible for life as we are meant to be”.   

Acting Executive Director

As you may be aware, Jeff Burn has generously agreed to replace me, while I’ll be on extended sick leave, as Acting Executive Director. He will begin in June.  Together with the Trustees, we are extremely grateful to Jeff for his willingness to assist Kildare Ministries during this time and his most recent experience will mean that the work can progress without too much delay. In our usual Kildare Ministries way, you will no doubt join us in welcoming Jeff back into the fold. 

Thank you for your warm wishes of support and care extended to me over these last few months. I look forward to returning as soon as I am well enough.

Erica Pegorer

Executive Director