Dublin Retreat 13/16 - The Church: A Living Body in Challenging Times

Archbishop Fulton Sheen's 13th address in the 1977 Dublin retreat focuses on the nature and challenges of the Church, likening its current state to the Church in the wilderness. He speaks about the Church as the Corpus Christi, manifesting in three forms: the physical body of Christ, the community of believers, and the Holy Eucharist. Sheen acknowledges the Church's visible and invisible aspects, emphasizing that despite scandals and weaknesses, it remains a holy and divinely inspired institution. He compares the Church to a hospital and Noah's Ark, carrying both purity and imperfection yet leading towards salvation. The Archbishop underscores the importance of unity with the Pope, reflecting on his personal experiences with various Pontiffs and their embodiment of Christ's vicar. He stresses the significance of understanding the Church's trials and tribulations through the lens of the cross and Christ's sacrifice. Sheen's message to the clergy highlights the need for unwavering faith and devotion to the Church, especially in times of internal strife and external challenges, reaffirming the Church as a guiding force against worldly corruption.