Theology in the Vineyard is a blog edited by Ted Schmidt a pure product of Vatican ll,the energizing reform movement in the Catholic Church.Growing up on a Jewish street in downtown Toronto, he was exposed to the searing experience of the Shoah at an early age. He was the first educator in Canada to institutionalize this in his teaching and the universal lessons of “silence and complicity” during the Shoah informed his teaching and writing. He is the retired editor of Catholic New Times and is active as a community theologian in his parish and community.
Theology in the Vineyard attempts to find God in the stuff of life where politics, history,culture and economics meet. It has both a virtual and a human face. When it hits the road as it has in the Picton area in two Vineyards, Chadsey’s Cairns and The Grange, it brings like minded Christians together who do not accept the present patriarchal and clerical domination of the Roman Catholic Church.It is an invitation to all to make the Church a more inclusive meeting place and a more credible witness to God’s reign among people.
The first Theology in the Vineyard (Sept.17,2005) was inspired by the Vatican Council’s statement ( Lumen Gentium) which invited “lay people to express their opinions which concern the common good of the church.” These comments spoke volumes:
“I feel like a starving orphan …”
“I am exasperated by the institution …”
“There is a need for real change in Christianity. I need to step away from the institution to energize …”
“We can’t count on clergy in parishes. I came here to hear what people can do …”
“There is respect here for diverse opinions and a lack of fear …”
“I support a social justice church … how better to spend a Saturday …”
“I thirst for the days of Vatican II …”
“I am in dire need of spiritual nourishment.”
“We’re retreating into the past. There is real frustration and a need to renew. There’s something radically wrong when a pastor changes, everything changes. There’s something wrong. That power should not exist.
“I am disillusioned and in need of hope …”
“I have four kids and thirst for a relevant church …”
“I just love the dialogue …
“I feel frustrated, alone and unwanted and I have no intention of leaving …”
“I want to know where that great hope of Vatican II vanished …”
The dialogue continues.Stay tuned.
