Dominic Golding
Catholic Dean of Jersey
‘Go and repair my house, you see it is falling down.’
These words spoken to St Francis of Assisi many centuries ago acquired a new meaning for me throughout the twelve months of 2020. I had retrodden the pilgrim’s steps in January, delighted to be back in Assisi, having last visited as a student thirty years ago. Over a week’s retreat I entered into the silence and beauty. I returned home with an invigorating sense of renewal. Weeks later the spire of one of the Jersey churches entrusted to my care was judged to be at grave risk of falling down. The church had to close. When COVID-19 then proceeded to shut down much of normal life, it felt like I was being told, go and help to repair not only a church but your world.
How do I repair a world damaged by my own disregard for the environment, my apathy at social injustice and shame at the Church whose grave failings I know but which I still believe in and love? Where do I start?
During those weeks of lockdown, when churches and much else was closed, when we were told to only venture out for short periods; when ministry meant hours of telephone calls and online ‘events’; when I got confused and tired of ‘government advice’ but surprised myself at just whose company I missed, I came to appreciate that the repairs I could do needed to be slow and steady, patient and kind. In many ways, I would need to be like the stonemasons I was employing on Jersey’s tallest spire.
‘We’re getting there’ was an often-heard remark which this year I did not always appreciate. We are though. As the enduring granite stones of the spire were repaired and put back by the inspiring actions and generosity of so many, I know I belong to a Church and world where I am not alone in now looking to doing things differently.
As a Christian, the sign of the cross whether atop a spire or made in a hand gesture has long spoken to me. It tells how amid the darkness of one moment God’s amazing grace was at work. After all we have experienced in this most unusual year, I believe grace is again active. In wanting to continue my reply to the invitation ‘Go and repair’ I shall strive to be like St Francis: a blessing and a channel of peace.
