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October 20th: Recognizing Ministers of the Word
Last Friday, I received a telephone call from an Italian religion reporter who asked me if the preliminary suggestions to create “Extraordinary Ministers of the Word” could be counted as a “victory” for our synod request to expand preaching opportunities for women. He was referring to a report from one of the French language small groups that said: “We could recognize - institute - extraordinary ministers of the Word. These ministers - catechists, readers, animators of base communities, men and women - would be specially prepared for this mission and officially delegated by the bishop.
” While it is too early to say what the bishops will finally choose to do, it is good that they are recognizing the phenomenal amount of pastoral ministry done in the church by “women (and men) of the word.” I think in particular of the “Delegates of the Word ” in central and south America who provide Sunday Services of the Word to the 70% of Brazilian Catholics who do not have access to Mass because of the priest shortage.
Today the “relators” from the twelve small groups are meeting to synthesize reports as a preliminary to creating the various propositions. Here is the report from the English language group on which Bishop Kicanas and Cardinal George sit.
-RELATION OF THE WORKING GROUP ANGLICUS B: H.E. Most. Rev. Gerald Frederick KICANAS, Bishop of Tucson, Assistant President of Episcopal Conference
The group suggested that the tone of the exhortation should be hope filled, needs to energize the Church around the Word of God and should be pastoral and missionary.
The group identified critical areas about which propositions should be developed. A wide range of areas surfaced.
First, the need to give greater recognition to lay catechists, Catholic School teachers, youth ministers, and lay biblical animators. They need to be better formed and prepared.
Second, the need to understand what is attracting people to the Sects and learn from them.
Third, how preaching might be improved and made more vibrant.
Fourth, the need to emphasize and highlight the contemplative dimension.
Fifth, finding structures to bring together exegetes, liturgists, theologians, and bishops.
Sixth, the need to give greater emphasis to consecrated life, pneumatology, healing and the Sacrament of Penance, and the use of media.
The dialogic nature of the Word of God needs greater emphasis. There are few opportunities in parishes to teach the necessary theology. Even more important than teaching is modeling a dialogic manner.
The group discussed the need to enhance the way we read the Word.
There is a need to better form people in the Word through Lectio Divina, dramatization, working with parents who are the primary educators of their children.
There was a mixed reaction to a compendium on preaching. We need to do something but group did not agree that this would be helpful.
Suggestion was made for a compendium on helping people read the Word of God.
There was not a strong feeling that there needs to be a revision of the Lectionary. While some Old Testament texts are difficult, they should not be dropped. Perhaps alternatives could be available.
There was concern that the question about the relation between exegetes and theologians implies a rift between them. Rather we should encourage cooperation. Scholars should have an opportunity to work in pastoral settings.
Finally the group explored relations with other Christians and with Jews. Concern was raised that Jews sometimes feel that Catholics downplay their positions for dialogue. They do not want that. Bringing the experience of the Synod to other Christian churches might foster communion.
To read all reports click on these two links:
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_22
_xii-ordinaria-2008/02_inglese/b26_02.html
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_22
_xii-ordinaria-2008/02_inglese/b27_02.html
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