Article of WALBERT BUHMANN The actual situation of the church today It would be neither or nor realistic, after the

foregoing macrocosmic contemplation, with its so many helpful visions and expectations, to fail, to complement the same with an existential reflection on the microcosm of the concrete, everyday situation in the .church. That situation look less optimistic. But we must take a position toward it Anyone involved in the catholic church, and having the eyes to see, must be deeply concerned for that church for its base, which is obviously crumbing, as well as for its structures, which so often prove to be a hindrance instead of a help. In the Federal Republic of Germany, statistics tell us in 1965, 55 percent of Catholics attended church on Sundays, in 1975, 35 percent, and in 1985, 25 percent. As for Protestants: an average of roughly 5 percent attends church on Sunday. Who can assure us that this trend will not continue, and that Catholics, too, 20 years from now, will not be down to a 5 percent average? The elderly, who have "remained true" are dying off, and few among the young are taking their place. In many cities the number of those who formally leave .the church already exceeds that of those who enter it through baptism Then, there is the fact that the clergy, one the backbone of the Catholic Church, are older, fewer and more overwhelmed by the year. The shortage of priests that we have been watching develop for more than ten years has now entered into its acute stage. Ever more rapidly, parishes are combined and priests become harried dispensers of the sacraments and religious instructions. Living all alone in their great rectoriesscarcely on attractive prospect for the "new blood" that might have been hoped for. And not a .few of those priest suddenly say " I've had it" and walk away Worse still, parents, who now must step in and fulfill their responsibility for the religious upbringing of their children, are often no longer very sure of themselves when it comes to their faith, and do not "know what to say," so that for the first time we must fear for the handing on the faith to the coming generation. Parents do not want to teach faith to their children in the way and manner in which they themselves had their .religion drilled into them once upon a time There are various ways of reacting to an emergency. In the case of the Catholic Church, the supreme authority is the Vatican, and it is well aware of its responsibilities, and intervenes in the ordinary course of affairs more than would be needed or desirable in .normal times

JOHN 20:21
".As the Father has sent ME, so I send You"

:Then said Jesus to them again ... The words he said before peace be unto you; which he repeated, to put them out of their fright, by reason of which they returned him no answer; and to raise and engage their attention to what he was about to say; and to pacify their consciences, distressed with a sense of their conduct towards him; and with a view to the Gospel of peace, he was now going to send them to preach: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you; Christ's mission of his disciples, supposes power in him, honor done to them, authority put upon them, qualifications given them, and hence success attended them; what they were sent to do, was to preach the Gospel, convert sinners, build up saints, plant churches, and administer ordinances. The pattern of their mission, is the mission of Christ by his Father, which was into this world, to do his will, preach the Gospel, work miracles, and obtain eternal redemption for his people; and which mission does not suppose inferiority in his divine person, nor change of place, but harmony and agreement between the Father and Son: the likeness of these missions lies in these things; their authority is both divine; they are both sent into the same place, the world; and in much the same condition, mean, despicable, hated and persecuted; and in part for the same end, to preach the Gospel, and work miracles, for the confirmation of it; but not to obtain redemption, that being a work done solely by Christ; in which he has no partner, and to whom the glory must be only ascribed. Jesus gave a special authority to the apostles and disciples present, which is available to pastoral leaders of all ages. This authority is distinct from the empowering and transforming works of Holy Spirit. With this authority, church discipline could be maintained whether positive or negative. With it, the disciples could forgive certain consequences of sin. The unity, love, and goodness within the trinity freely extend toward everyone. This outpouring reaches its peak when the Trinity shares His own life and special helps with us. We call this sharing of divine life, grace. God offers us this free, undeserved gift, so we can become His adopted children. Then our lives can get back on course, going in .the right direction