09.12.2016
The Revd Rob Jones Reflects on the Clergy Retreat in Rome
Recently I found myself once again in the beautiful city of Rome. I was attending the Dublin and Glendalough clergy retreat to Rome. It was initiated by Archbishop Jackson, organised by the Revd Garth Bunting and facilitated on the ground by Archbishop David Moxon who leads the Anglican Centre in Rome.
Last July I was in Rome with my family. We all nearly melted in the 40° heat as we trundled around this incredible city visiting such well known sites as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Thankfully this time, the temperature was 20c lower, which not only made for much nicer walking, but also saved me a fortune in not having to buy overpriced water and ice cream!
There is much I could write about my time away. The space to converse with my colleagues outside of the normal busy pace of ministry. Being able to journal and pray in a city that is steeped in so much history. Spending time in an environment where the wearing of clerical attire, especially by younger priests, was very much the norm and part of the fabric of city, even seeing the Archbishop being saluted by the Arma dei Carabinieri as he walked by, was something new to me!
Our time was a mixture of visiting, meeting learning, worshiping together and personal reflection. Some of our activities included a reception with the Irish ambassador to the Holy See, visits to Communitá di Sant’Egidio, the Pontifical Irish College, Nafuma Refugee Centre and St Paul’s Outside the Walls.
However, the component that really struck me was having access and extended time in some very important archaeological sites in Rome. One of these was the house in which it is strongly believed that St Paul was kept under house arrest before his execution.
While here, we were reminded of the shared history all Christians have in the lives of such Saints like Saint Paul. We were reminded that in the first century the church developed under severe persecution, from very humble beginnings, where many Christians lived in fear of their lives. Yet, despite these very challenging conditions we see Christianity flourishing and was, for the most part, a united body. Of course I’m sure there were squabbles and infighting, yet at this stage they were working together, essentially as a small movement outside the central halls of power. Insignificant, yet bold and courageous. Humble, yet not bashful. Small in number, yet having large impact.
It’s very easy to romanticise the early church, however I couldn’t help but think, as I stood in the room where probably St Paul spent his last days before execution, we once again, irrespective of denomination, churchmanship and ecclesiology etc, need to be reminded of the call to unity and the need to work together today in these challenging times for the Church.
Fanciful Naïveté or Godly Wisdom, many differ on this. However, I was reminded of what Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10 where he said: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose”. I’m sure that was a huge challenge for the early Church, and it remains for us today a massive struggle. But surely it’s a challenge worth embracing head on?
Christian unity is not a dissolution into blandness, rather it’s a deep routed desire to utilise our diversity in the many ways which compliment our differences and therefore aid our effectiveness as we reach out to the world which is becoming increasingly fragmented and individualistic.
How does this begin? I think it begins on the ground with each other. It begins with listening and working together. It begins with realising that we have so much more which unifies us as opposed to that which divides us. I came back from Rome with renewed vigour to work and minister with the many churches and people around me. To travel with whomever has this shared vision of unity and a desire to work together in the challenge and joy, in joining God in the renewal of all things.
Written by the Revd Rob Jones, Vicar of Holy Trinity Rathmines who was one of 13 clergy from Dublin
& Glendalough who took part in the clergy retreat in Rome last month.
Photo caption: Very early Christian Memorial on the site of Saint Paul’s house arrest, under Santa Maria church on Via Lata