Response.

The text discusses the concept that the Christian church exists for the sake of those who are not its members. This claim has been widely misunderstood, with some interpreting it as suggesting that the church should always react to the needs of the world around it, while others see it as undermining the importance of Christian character and sacramental discipline. However, the author argues that the church's purpose is to mediate and realize God's activity in the world, embodying the reality of the Kingdom of God and promoting selfless love and service. The text also acknowledges the historical and present challenges faced by the church, including its complicity in self-interest and the erosion of trust due to sexual abuse scandals. Despite these challenges, the author asserts that the church's freedom should be used to create spaces for dialogue and vulnerability, grounded in the practice of self-forgetful love and the proclamation of the gospel. [Extracted from the article]

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