Analysis of Eucharist Synod Working Document
On July 8, the Vatican issued the Instrumentum Laboris (working document) for the Synod on the Eucharist. It is a summary of responses from the world’s Bishops meant to aid in the work of the Synod. It is not “the final word” on issues to be dealt with by the Synod as some recent media stories imply.
Here is a link so you can read it yourself
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=73873
There are both discouraging and encouraging notes sounded by the working document. These are just a sampling of the more important ones as seen through the eyes of Corpus Christi Campaign coordinator, Sr. Chris Schenk.
Discouraging
1.The responses make no mention of strategies for dealing with the worldwide priest shortage. Even though for the first time, the Vatican acknowledges a “fluctuation” (aka shortage) of priests, there is no mention of solutions such as ending mandatory celibacy or ordaining women deacons.
2. The document laments the decline in Mass attendance at great length but makes no attempt to analyze why this might be. For example, too few priests, poorly prepared priests or (often) preaching and celebrations that do not touch people’s lives.
3. The responses give little attention to the reality of “God with us” ie: Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist as our loving brother and friend. Christ’s presence in the community of believers is barely acknowledged. Instead God’s awe-inducing sacredness, the transcendence of Eucharistic worship, “’the inseparability of the Eucharist and morality,” and Christ’s presence in the sacred species is elaborated upon at length. The end result is a document that appears to value cultic and moral purity over human presence, mercy and forgiveness.
4. The document spends an inordinate amount of time dwelling on the perceived link between the sacrament of Penance and the Eucharist: “Certainly thought needs to be given to the great disproportion between the many who receive Holy Communion and the few who go to confession.” (p. 13) While acknowledging that only those in mortal sin must confess before receiving communion some Bishops seem to regard the divorced and remarried “who don’t know they’re in mortal sin” as mortal sinners. As any Catholic grade school student knows, if you don’t know it’s a mortal sin, it isn’t.
5. There is virtually no recognition of the wide disparities between rich and poor Catholics in our world. When poverty is touched upon, only charity is recommended as a response, rather than social analysis and empowerment. The word justice appears very rarely and only at the very end of the document.
6. The document would have benefited by inviting reflection from the lay faithful. It is also very hampered by language that excludes women. Unfortunately laity were not consulted and if any women religious raised questions about the language, these were not addressed.
Encouraging:
1. The document obliquely acknowledges that there is a worldwide priest shortage. For the first time, statistics about declining priests compared to increasing numbers of Catholics are included. We should consider this a small victory because so many CTA and FutureChurch activists publicized the worldwide priest shortage that there is no longer any point in trying to hide it. The document also acknowledges Communion services conducted by lay people in communities “awaiting a priest.”
2. The theological language is better than the original Lineamenta (outline). Specifically, there is frequent use of Vatican II phrases such as “People of God,” “Bishop of Rome” (for the Pope) etc.
3. The “celebratory banquet” aspects of Eucharist and the Eucharist as a memorial have been included, albeit minimally. The original Lineamenta made no mention of either. However, nearly all of the theological reflection is focused on the Eucharist as sacrifice/sacrificial meal.
4. Social justice issues are included, though more minimally than one would expect. Ecologic concerns are included in the responses, a first! The original Lineamenta did not address ecologic issues at all and paid very little attention to work for social justice.
5. The document nuances moral decisions about politicians and Eucharist: “Some Catholics do not understand why it might (underscore mine) be a sin to support a political candidate who is openly in favor of abortion or other serious acts against life, justice and peace. (underscore mine). (p. 34)