Fr. Richard OMOLADE

Recently the whole world was glued to the TV, watching the funeral ceremonies for the late Pontiff, Pope Francis. We witnessed a symphony of order, beauty, rituals and celebration. As some commentators assert, only the Catholic Church could conjure such an excellent organization of event. There is a lot for us to learn from this event bearing in mind that the entire preparation took less than a week to execute. What contributes to such excellence?

 

First, there is a culture of excellent organization that has characterized the Vatican City. A culture takes time to engender, but once in place, everyone must buy into it and use it as framework to guide other implementations. This culture includes discipline, hard work and dedication. The Church requires of her children these qualities as basic requisites. And once members grow up with this understanding, going along with others to accomplish organization's goal becomes easy to attain.

 

Pictures from the funeral were sublime and beautiful, rows of red, white, black and purple, most probably executed through a simple directive. Yes, there were deviants, like our friend the tarrif máster. The crowd didn't need to wear "egbe j'oda" but all were dressed simply and decently.

 

By Rome standard, the funeral Mass was quite long, but in a land like ours, it would have taken more time bearing in mind our penchant for collection, and introduction of dignitaries. While the ceremony would have cost a fortune to put up, collections were not taken. How did they organize such an event without levying parishes and groups? The answer is simple, modern organizations cannot be managed by ceremonial levies and collections like it is being done in Nigeria. Proceeds from investments should be available for such contingencies. Of course, there would have been free donations. We need to educate our people to embrace free giving but ultimately our coordinating office must put in place contingencies to take care of such events and large Archdiocesan events.

 

Furthermore, when it was communion time, there were enough Deacons and Priests to distribute HOLY COMMUNION. They knew their roles and where they were expected to function. There was also no unnecessary announcement aimed at deterring non- Catholics and the visitors we know did not get up to try to receive Holy Communion. The choir sang beautifully, the microphones attached to them didn't blur their vision, the musical equipment were not visible, and didn't drown the human voices, yet the music was heavenly. That's pure artistry and an integral part of the culture of excellence that the Church has built over the years.

The funeral is over and we have moved on from the Francis era, while we wait for the white smoke from Sistine Chapel. I am confident that the beautiful excellence we witnessed recently, will be available for the habemus papam event and the subsequent Papal enthronement.

 

For now, let us all become missionary disciples of God and of the Church. The beauty of God in our lives and the strength of the faith must continue. It will continue through our proclamation and our witnessing.  The Church must continue to make impact through genuine efforts and concern for the people. The impact the world needs today is genuine involvement in the lives of people and especially the vulnerable and marginalized. The Church can play a big role in this regard and we are the Church, if everyone would put in their best at all times, then the beautiful face of the Church will be visible to all and many more will be drawn in to taste and see that the Lord is good.

 

Finally, after two thousand years, the Catholic Church is no longer a novice in the art of making impact. The early Christians did it and became a force to be reckoned with. The Church in the middle ages did the same and shaped cultures for centuries. The time has come for us too to shape our Church, our Society and our World. Let us begin, one person at a time, one event after the other.