Posted on 10/18/2005 9:56:16 AM PDT by NYer
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a draft list of propositions, the Synod of Bishops recommended no relaxation of church rules on priestly celibacy and instead proposed greater vocations efforts as the answer to the shortage of priests.
The idea of ordaining married men in the Western church is "a road not to follow," said Proposition 11, one of 50 propositions presented to the synod Oct. 18. After possible amendments, the propositions were to be voted on later in the week.
Catholic News Service obtained a copy of the propositions, which were read in Latin on the synod floor.
The propositions contained proposals on several other topics of interest during the Oct. 2-23 synod on the Eucharist:
-- Proposition 40 said Catholics who have divorced and civilly remarried without an annulment "cannot be admitted to holy Communion" because they are in clear contrast with church teaching on marriage. It encouraged other pastoral efforts toward such Catholics; it suggested that some margin of flexibility might be found in further study of church law on the conditions for annulments.
-- Proposition 46 said there is no "eucharistic coherence" when Catholic politicians promote laws that go against human good, justice and natural law. It indicated that in determining whether specific politicians should receive Communion bishops should "exercise the virtue of prudence."
-- Proposition 41 repeated church teaching that shared Communion with non-Catholic Christians "is generally not possible." An "ecumenical concelebration" of the Eucharist would be even more objectionable, it said. At the same time, it said exceptions that would allow for shared Communion when "precise conditions" are present should be respected.
-- Regarding Sunday Liturgies of the Word when no priest is present, Proposition 10 said it was up to bishops' conferences to set policies on distribution of Communion, but it asked the Vatican to consider preparing a new document spelling out universal rules on such liturgies.
The issue of ordaining married men of proven virtue, or "viri probati," was raised by several bishops in discussion of the shortage of priests that afflicts many parts of the world.
Proposition 11 said the lack of priests was a cause of "acute pain" and said the situation called for "effective pastoral initiatives."
But it added: "In this context, the synod fathers affirmed the importance of the inestimable gift of ecclesiastical celibacy in the practice of the Latin Church." Catholic faithful, it said, need to better know the reasons behind the relationship between celibacy and ordination.
"Some participants made reference to 'viri probati,' but in the end the small discussion groups evaluated this hypothesis as a road not to follow," it said.
The propositions called for new efforts at fostering vocations. They said pastors should not be afraid to propose the priesthood as a radical way of following Christ. They encouraged prayers and eucharistic adoration celebrations for the intent of priestly vocations.
They also called for a more equitable distribution of priests and for a willingness among priests themselves to serve where they are most needed.
The synod's theme is the Eucharist, and the propositions distilled more than two weeks of discussion by more than 250 participants. The propositions, which are considered secret, will be given to Pope Benedict XVI for possible use in a future papal document.
Significantly placed near the top of the synod's recommendations was a strong endorsement of the Second Vatican Council. Proposition 2 said the changes introduced by Vatican II had greatly benefited the church. It said liturgical abuses had occurred in the past, but said they had diminished substantially in recent times.
Weighing in on the synod's debate over whether the Eucharist should be seen as a gift or a right, Proposition 4 said both elements came into play. It said the Eucharist is a gift from God, but it also said the Catholic faithful have a right to receive the sacraments and that pastors have a duty to "make every effort" to provide access to the Eucharist.
Proposition 35, however, said reception of Communion should never be seen as automatic. Non-Catholics attending Mass should be told "delicately but clearly" that their nonparticipation in Communion does not signify a lack of respect for them; Catholics should be reminded of the need to be in a state of grace before receiving Communion.
"No one should be afraid of causing a negative impression by not coming forward for Communion," it said.
Proposition 19 took up a point strongly made by more than one U.S. participant, on the need for vibrant, inspiring preachers. To favor homilies that correspond thematically to teachings of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" and other doctrinal sources, it proposed the preparation of a pastoral resource that connects Sunday readings with doctrinal themes.
Proposition 6 urged promotion of eucharistic adoration, which it called "a sign of the times," and encouraged pastors to keep local churches open to favor the practice. At the same time, it emphasized that eucharistic adoration springs from the Mass and should not be seen in isolation.
Proposition 30 said pastors need to reaffirm the importance of Sunday Mass. To promote respect for Sunday, it suggested that local churches also organize Sunday social gatherings, religious education encounters and pilgrimages.
Two propositions thanked the world's priests for their selfless service, often given with great sacrifice and personal risk.
Other propositions briefly treated several liturgical and sacramental issues:
-- Proposition 13 said the links among baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist are not adequately understood and that the right age for confirmation should be reconsidered. It asked whether, in the Western church, the sequence of baptism, confirmation and first Communion, which is used for adults, should not also be used for children, as is the practice in Eastern churches.
-- Proposition 23 questioned whether the sign of peace might be better placed elsewhere in the Mass, for example at the end of the prayer of the faithful. In any case, it said, priests should not leave the altar area during the sign of peace exchange.
-- Proposition 25 called for the preservation of the dignity and sacred character of liturgical celebrations, specifically warning against the introduction of nonliturgical texts. It asked the Vatican to prepare a practical instruction for priests on how to celebrate the Mass, to complement the norms of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
-- Various other propositions called for the continued use of Latin in liturgies with international participants; asked for study of the practice of concelebrating huge Masses; highlighted the importance of genuflecting at important moments of the eucharistic prayer during Mass; said the church tabernacle should be placed in a place that is "noble, esteemed, well visible" and adapted to prayer.
The propositions made no mention of granting wider latitude for celebrating the pre-Vatican II Tridentine Mass, reflecting a general lack of discussion on the issue during synod assemblies.
One proposition, titled "The Eucharist and Polygamy," said the church's teaching on marriage requires that those entering the church break off polygamist relationships before receiving the sacraments. It said the church recognizes that this process may take time and requires a combination of "tenderness and firmness" on the part of pastors.
The propositions underlined the Eucharist's connection with social justice issues and even with ecological concerns. They said eucharistic celebrations can have prophetic power in places of conflict and war.
This is the most current list.
Proposition 40 said Catholics who have divorced and civilly remarried without an annulment "cannot be admitted to holy Communion" because they are in clear contrast with church teaching on marriage.
But it added: "In this context, the synod fathers affirmed the importance of the inestimable gift of ecclesiastical celibacy in the practice of the Latin Church." Catholic faithful, it said, need to better know the reasons behind the relationship between celibacy and ordination.
Proposition 35, however, said reception of Communion should never be seen as automatic. Non-Catholics attending Mass should be told "delicately but clearly" that their nonparticipation in Communion does not signify a lack of respect for them; Catholics should be reminded of the need to be in a state of grace before receiving Communion.
Proposition 6 urged promotion of eucharistic adoration, which it called "a sign of the times," and encouraged pastors to keep local churches open to favor the practice.
Various other propositions called for the continued use of Latin in liturgies with international participants; asked for study of the practice of concelebrating huge Masses; highlighted the importance of genuflecting at important moments of the eucharistic prayer during Mass; said the church tabernacle should be placed in a place that is "noble, esteemed, well visible" and adapted to prayer.
The only thing that I raised a bit of an eyebrow at was the part that said "It said liturgical abuses had occurred in the past, but said they had diminished substantially in recent times." I don't know if that is proveable, or even true.
A couple of weeks ago as I approached the chalice, I heard something unique, "I think there's still a drop left." Followed by a dry giggle.
Well.
That was certainly 'extraordinary'.
I had to ask her twice, "What are you supposed to say to me?" before she remembered what she was supposed to do.
I think we may be getting dumber by the minute.
And Rockin' Raymond, our musical director, is certainly a distraction. I wish he'd just get it out of his system and form a cover band and play in bars on the weekends. Just because he doesn't have a misspent youth to regret, don't take it out on the rest of us.
Liturgical abuses are rampant in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, from the subtle to the outrageous...all being deliberate, not honest mistakes.
I don't know what world these bishops are living in. The younger generation can't come to power soon enough and replace this pusillanimous breed of bishops.
Well, first of all, I wouldn't include St. Alphonsus in the liturgical abuse presence, but you could go to just about any suburban (Baltimore County et al.) parish, and have your fill of abuses.
Secondly, the Indult at St. A is very far from ideal for many reasons which I have noted in the past, part being the fact the future is unknown. The pastor is, I think, 79 and the other priest who says the TLM there is even older...at least 82/83. Cardinal Keeler is dead set against the FSSP coming in, but he turns 75 next year if that is any consolation.
Can you post me a link to that article?
I don't think Inside the Vatican has posted the article on line, unfortunately.
You're right. How is this proveable? Perhaps they're alluding to the number of papers distributed worldwide, admonishing bishops to ensure proper conformity with the GIRM. Perhaps the number of complaints has diminished over the past decade? It's worth monitoring.
I was thinking about posting this yesterday with a Duh! alert attached:
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A new vocations campaign is being launched by the U.S. bishops with the idea that more men simply need to be invited to become priests by priests who are happy with their lives. Announced in Washington Oct.14, the program, called Priestly Life and Vocation Summit: Fishers of Men, is based on having dioceses and religious orders convene priests to discuss their vocations, emphasizing the positive aspects, and then encouraging them to invite other men to consider following them. Father Edward Burns, director of the Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, cited a survey of the 2003 U.S. ordination class in which 78 percent of the men about to be ordained said a priest had invited them to consider the priesthood.
Well, nothing earth-shaking. Everything remains pretty much the same; a few details here and there change, but nothing else.
-Theo
Instead of Father's favorite TV sitcom, or what Oprah taught him about life?
One of the priests I know told me that this is how they were taught to preach in seminary. Of course, he went to a notorious Pink Palace, but from what I have seen, it doesn't really matter where they went. They are ignorant of doctrine, ignorant of devotion and piety, and believe that they are basically the budget version of Oprah or, on a good day, Dr. Phil. They misunderstand not only how to give a homily, but what the faith is about and what their job is in the first place.
I am rather disappointed the Synod did not present a uniform policy for dealing with anti-Catholic Catholic politicians. I think it should have explicity stated that the heresy presented by the likes of Durbin, Kennedy, and Schwarzenager should bar them from reception of communion for their un-Catholic views. Now more limp-wristed bishops will encourage them.
"Well, nothing earth-shaking. Everything remains pretty much the same; a few details here and there change, but nothing else."
Given what the Eastern Rite hierarchs had to say, this is a bit disappointing, but perhaps not surprising. Its too bad; the Latin bishops should have listened to their Eastern brothers more.
Liturgical abuses exist because there is a lack of catechesis.
A lack of catechesis exists because there is a shortage of well-trained, reverent and holy priests to do the teaching.
Yup. It seems simple enough and straightforward. How did it make it past the USCCB staff?
Who knows? LOL!
I have to agree. Not much changes. The one interesting detail that I saw was proposition 13, re-consideration of the sequence of Baptism, Chrismation and first communion for children to possibly bring it into conformity with the eastern Catholic norm.
I didn't have much of a problem in that what the eastern Catholic hierarchs had to say didn't make it to the final documents. It didn't need to, and I wouldn't expect it to. The eastern hierarchs delivered The Message, and the western hierarchs can either listen or not. FWIW I think that the person whose vote really counts, that being Pope Benedict, was probably listening.
It would be naive to expect what is predominantly a synod of the western church to generate a document that would, in effect, call the western church on the carpet.
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