Sir, - As one who had the privilege of spending some time living as part of an Augustinian community, I was saddened by your reports (From the South East, March 1st) concerning the future of the Augustinian communities at Callan and Fethard.
Firstly, I was saddened that the lack of vocations to the Augustinians has brought about a situation in which the future viability of long established communities is now being questioned. But I am even more saddened that the only response of the leaders of the order appears to be based on commercial-type solutions of cutback and closure.
Surely, a more imaginative response is both called for and possible. It would seem from your reports that the local lay communities in both Fethard and Callan are very supportive of the Augustinians and are actively involved with them at a pastoral level. Perhaps the way forward would be to build on the partnership which is already there rather than the negative approach of retrenchment as proposed.
Indeed, maybe this is an ideal opportunity for orders such as the Augustinians to re-examine their structures and relationships with local lay communities. For example, would it not be possible for lay people, whether married or single, to become, in some form, members (or associates) of the Order, possibly even, where circumstances permit, living in community with the ordained members of the order? Such a new relation, although challenging, might well present new opportunities for new directions for the Church and religious communities as we enter into a new millennium.
Certainly, if the great religious orders such as the Augustinians are to survive into the future, they must adopt new ways which are more reflective of the Church that is now emerging. - Yours, etc.,
John Gillen, Skerries, Co Dublin.