Chris Schenk's reports
from the Synod
Encouraging and Discouraging Aspects of the
Synod on the Eucharist
Final Report
While the Synod on the Eucharist finally identified the priest shortage
as a major problem, thereby placing it in the forefront of the Church's
agenda, it is most disconcerting that final synod proposals offered
no new solutions other than to maintain the status quo. Read more...
Update 11 – 10/24/05
The final message seems pastoral and not quite as legalistic as some of
the interventions! One wonders if we are allowed to suggest “spiritual
communion” to
our divorced and remarried sisters and brothers! The pastoral language
is a bit better here...but that of the propositions seemed pretty
harsh. I appreciate the stress on justice issues and I was glad to
see the work
of priests and other pastoral workers of the Church acknowledged.
Read more...
Update 10 – 10/21/05
My Blessing From the Pope
I just had an unusual experience. I have been
in Rome for the past several weeks to monitor the synod on the Eucharist.
It hasn’t been easy
connecting with synod delegates. Many bishops don’t want to talk
to me because rather than lose access to the Eucharist, we are asking
for discussion of married priests and women deacons. I guess its
too risky of a conversation for them. Read more...
Update 9 – 10/20/05
Today (Thursday Oct 20) is a quiet day as the Bishops do not meet. However
synod leadership and leaders of the working groups are reviewing
amendments to the the final proposals which will be presented Friday
afternoon. The
final voting will take place on Saturday morning and this will be
immediately followed by a press conference. Read more...
Update 8 –10/18/05
Here are the names of the Cardinals and Bishops (and one priest) who will
compose the Message” from the Synod. I have been told that eight
were elected and four appointed but no one seems to know which is
which. There seem to be both conservative (Cardinals Ouelette and
Pell) and progressive (Cardian Kasper, Jesuit Fr.Kolvenbach),voices
on the committee. As for our issues, Cardinal Pell spoke vigorously
against changing mandatory celibacy and Cardinal Sfeir of the Maronite
rite (which has married priests)
said there would be more problems created by a married priesthood
than solutions. Read more...
Update 7
While Synod delegates continue to meet in small groups, I send along four
items of significance.
That Catholics have a right to Eucharist has been affirmed by the Vatican’s
top legal authority. This in response to Cardinal Scola’s surprising
opening statement that the Eucharist is a “gift” and not a right.
(see CNS article below).
2. Here I include John Allen’s summary of the small groups’ initial
work on the worldwide priest shortage (see full text of English Speaking Group
B report below as well as Associated Press summary at bottom of this email
) read more...
Update 6– 10/17/05
Here is Cardinal Scola’s “collage” summary as of the
end of last week of what was said
by Bishop representatives to the synod. (underlining is mine) While the prose
is pretty dense, I have been told that his remarks were well received
as representative of the work of the synod so far.
For the next six days or seven days, the bishops work in small groups
to develop proposals to go to the Pope. After that, its up to the
Pope! Read more ...
Update 5– 10/14/05
But first, some hot off the press info from John Allen who was kind enough
to meet with me today.
Here is his take as of today, October 14. (and I should also say that great
analysis from Allen is to be had each day from the ncr website...www.natcath.com
... I should have sent this
earlier...but imagine most of you have already found out) Read more ...
Update 4
SOME SYNOD LOGISTICS For nine days (Oct 3-12) members of the synod will
hear “interventions” from
each participant. The speeches are supposed to be geared to one of
the four headings of the synod working document (the Eucharist in
Today’s
World, the Faith of the Church in the Mystery of the Eucharist, the
Eucharist in the Life of the Church and The Eucharist in the Mission
of the Church). Read more...
Update 3– 10/11/05
Here are some interesting interventions that give a flavor of the internationality
of our Church...certainly a big challenge when our bishops meet and
try to make decisions for everyone. Here are some highlights about
Inculturation, Justice and the Priest Shortage. Read more...
Update 2– 10/8/05
It is good news for the Church that the priest shortage dominated discussion
during the first week of the synod. The discussion allayed many fears
that the bishops would engage in three weeks of pious talk about
the Eucharist without rooting its transformative dynamic in the real
world of people’s
lives. Even proposed solutions were discussed... ranging from redistributing
priests around the world to ordaining mature “proven men” to
celebrate Eucharist in their communities. Read more...
Update 1
I am sorry to be so long in getting this off to you but I have had a difficult
time getting good internet access...tomorrow I prepare a full report but
for now, I want to say that I find it encouraging that from the first day
the bishops did open the conversaton about the priest shortage and "viri
probati"....(that is °proven men"
Ordaining good Catholic married men known in the community)...even if
somewhat negatively on the part of Cardinal Schola. Read more...
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