“Sadly, some may not return to practicing their faith as they did before the pandemic. My encouragement, and my hope, is for everyone to please return. We must do everything we can, now and in the future, to reach out to people in our parishes and local communities.”
Wilson believes that lockdowns have helped the Church to refine its approach to online prayer, worship, catechesis, and fellowship.
“While there is no substitute for being present in person at the celebration of the Mass, the use of technology in the service of evangelization and spirituality offers all kinds of possibilities,” he said. “We need to harness the best of this and carry it forward.”
But he added that there was no denying the severe economic impact of the virus.
“Our parishes rely on the generosity of their parishioners. We will need to see how parish income is affected by any economic downturn,” he said.
“There are also likely to be more people in need post-pandemic. We will need to continue to support those facing increased poverty and hardship.”
He mentioned especially those who have suffered bereavement but were unable to mark the loss as they wished due to coronavirus restrictions, as well as people who have struggled with their mental health, relationships, or addictions.
“There will also be people who have encountered the Catholic faith, via the internet during the pandemic, perhaps for the first time, who want to know more. The need for pastoral care, and the opportunities for evangelization, will be there for the Church to meet,” he said.
“In reviewing the post-coronavirus landscape of our archdiocese and our parishes, we will look with eyes of faith, through a missionary, evangelizing lens, to see what possibilities arise to renew our proclamation of the Gospel in word and service.”
“Whatever the consequences of the pandemic, our commitment to Christ remains undimmed. The search for meaning is alive in the world today. We need to be open to how the Lord calls us, in new circumstances, to be salt to the earth and light to the world.”
Asked to name the biggest challenge he faced, Wilson replied: “The biggest challenge facing me is the same one facing the Church Universal: the challenge of announcing Christ and proposing the truth He reveals about who He is and who we are.”
“The fundamental call to each of us is the call to holiness of life, to enter into personal friendship with Christ, in and through His Church, so that we can renew the face of the earth. This begins with each of us and our own discipleship.”
He continued: “There are many other challenges in the archdiocese: to evangelize; to promote vocations to marriage, priesthood and religious life; to put faith in action in the service of justice and charity; to promote the dignity of the human person and the apostolate of the family; to sustain the life of our parishes and schools.”
“All of this, however, depends on the way we each live for Christ, with all our faults and failings, trusting that He is with us until the end of the age. This is the great challenge: to accept, each day, the invitation to an ever-deepening faith in Christ and conformity to His love.”
Since his elevation to Southwark, Wilson has spoken several times about his admiration for a Frenchman called Jacques Fesch.
Fesch, the rakish son of a rich banker, killed a police officer during an attempted robbery. In prison, he experienced a spectacular return to his childhood Catholic faith.
“I came across Jacques Fesch a few years ago when someone gave me a copy of his letters from prison. I found his conversion story remarkable, a modern-day Saul turned St. Paul,” Wilson explained.
“I served in prison chaplaincy in Leeds for a few years and would often share the story of Jacques. He is evidence that no one is beyond faith or mercy.”
Fesch was beheaded by a guillotine in 1957 at the age of 27. His beatification cause opened in 1993 and he now bears the title “Servant of God.” Yet his cause remains controversial because of his grave crime.
“If he were beatified, I think he would be an inspiration to very many people,” Wilson said. “He did some terrible things; but his life bears testimony to the triumph of grace and the truth that God always works for the good with those who love Him.”
“I think Jacques’ life speaks to anyone searching, anyone dissatisfied, anyone who wants to flee responsibility, anyone who has made serious mistakes, anyone with regrets, anyone who wants to believe in Christ; he encourages me to trust that no one is beyond God’s forgiveness.”
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