PAGE 12, WEDNFSDAY, JULY 15, 1981, WHITBY F The Church Speaks Bishop Clune explains changes in the church By HIS EXCELLENCY THE MOST REV. ROBERT B. CLUNE Auxillary Bishop of Toronto Shortly after Vatican Council, a priest, a pastor for many years, was heard to remark: "I don't quite understand what's happening in the (Catholic) Church today. Before the church seemed very concerned about whom she buried. If someone wasn't practising their faith or 'sorry' at the time of death, then, they couldn't be buried from the chur- ch. At the same time though the church didn't seem to be too concerned about whom she baptized. Parents had only to appear at the church on Sunday afternoon to have their child baptized. No questions would be asked. No commitment required. "Now the reverse is true", the priest continued. "Today the church buries almost everyone without questions. But the church has become very concer- ned about whom she baptizes. Now preliminary in- terviews with parents; baptismal preparation classes; and a definite commitment to their faith and to the local Catholic community are required of parents and even of godparents before the baptism takes place. Quite a change-around I'd say." That pastor is right, you know. Very important REE PRESS changes have taken place in the Catholic Church since Vatican Council with regards to the ad- ministration of sacraments; and especially regar- ding those sacraments which are referred to as Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Community of the Church; namely Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Unfortunately many people, are also confused by these changes too. Oftentimes there is disappoin- tment and even bitterness, when those desiring a sacrament for themselves or other approach the Church only to find that the sacranent must be deferred because of their neglect of faith; disregard for church teaching and unwillingness to become involved as believers in the Community of Faith which is the church. For the sacraments to be effective and fruitful in one's life, they must be lived out in union with Christ and His church. The sacraments are intended to build up the Body of Christ, which is His church. To refuse to be involved in the life of the church is to make of the sacraments an empty symbol or a superstitious practise. Discussions concerning the administration of sacraments began in the Catholic church and in Protestant churches as well, long before Vatican Council. It was left to the council, however, to crystallize this thinking for Catholics in their documents; and to issue instructions for a revision of Sacramental Rites; and directives for their ad- ministration. In keeping with the decrees of Vatican Council, new Rites and Directives have been issued by the Catholic Church for: 1) Baptism of Children in 1969; 2) Confirmation in 1971; and 3) The Initiation of Adults into the Catholic Church in 1972. Slowly but surely these changes are taking effect and being incorporated into the sacramental life of the Catholic church community. For the most part these changes are readily understood and accepted when explained. The problem, however, is with Catholics having little or no involvement with their church community. With no opportunity to alert them to the changes in the administration of the Sacraments, it's not surprising that there is misunderstanding and disappointment when they learn that their faith- filled cooperation with the Lord and active par- ticipation in the life of the church community are now required so that the sacrament may be effec- tive and fruitful in their lives and in that of their children. In subsequent articles, I would like to take the op- portunity to explain some of these changes in the administration of the sacraments in the Catholic Church and to give the theological thinking and pastoral reasons for them. Bill Bramah and his wife Jenny recently stopped in at Whitby's Cullen Gar- den and Miniature Village to film a segment for his Global Network special "Bramah's Ontario". Camera man Tim Moses is capturing the scene.. "Bramah's Ontario" is a 90 second clip shown on the Global Network an average of 2-3 times a week. Bramah in Whitby