Vatican City, Jun 8, 2018 / 10:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A preparatory document for next year’s Pan-Amazonian synod was released Friday, indicating that key themes for the meeting will be the role of women in the Church, the rights and traditions of indigenous people, and efforts to find “new ways” to provide greater access to the Eucharist.
“Amazonia: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology,” was published June 8 as the official preparatory document for the October 2019 synod on the Pan-Amazonian region of South America, which includes parts of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela and Suriname.
The document highlighted several priorities for the upcoming synod discussion, one of which was the need for greater pastoral presence in the Amazonia region.
One of the main areas of discussion, it said, will be “the cry of thousands of communities deprived of the Sunday Eucharist for long periods of time.”
The text stressed the importance of creating the possibility “for all the baptized to participate in the Sunday Mass.”
The document noted “an urgent need to evaluate and rethink the ministries that today are required to respond to the objectives of a Church with an Amazonian face and a Church with a native face.”
It further stressed that “new ways should be considered for the People of God to have better and more frequent access to the Eucharist, the center of Christian life.”
In March 2017, Pope Francis suggested openness to the possibility that married men might be ordained priests in some Roman Catholic dioceses where there are few priests. His comments sparked speculation that the Pan-Amazonian synod could open the door to the ordination of viri probati– a term referring to mature, married men.
The ordination to the priesthood of viri probati is thought by some to be a possible solution to a shortage of priestly vocations in Brazil.
During a June 8 press conference presenting the preparatory document, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, declined to answer questions about the ordination of viri probati directly, but said there is a need for “new paths” responding to the needs delineated in the text.
“New paths above all will impact the ministries of the liturgy and theology,” he said, quoting the text, adding that “we did a big investigation…and we have seen these needs.”
In terms of what these “new paths” might entail, he said the synod of bishops has simply outlined the needs, and that answers to this question will depend on the proposals from local bishops in the Amazonia region.
He noted that the term viri probati was not used in the text- that “ministries” were discussed instead, because “we want to decant this expression [viri probati], which continually comes back.”
“We let people say [viri probati], but not demanding that we have to say it,” he said, noting that there is currently no formal declaration from the Holy See on the possibility of ordaining of viri probati.
“We let the people take their course with this topic, and we’ll see what could happen,” he said, referring to the synod discussion.
Canon law for the Latin Catholic Church prohibits the ordination of married men to the priesthood, though there are already some limited exceptions to this, especially regarding the ordination of formerly Anglican and Protestant ecclesial leaders who have converted to Catholicism.
Another priority highlighted in the text was the need to specify “the contents, methods, and attitudes necessary for an inculturated pastoral ministry capable of responding to the territory’s vast challenges,” and to propose “new ministries and services for the different pastoral agents, ones which correspond to activities and responsibilities within the community.”
To this end, the text called for a deeper reflection reflection on “indigenous theology” based on local practices and traditions, as well reflections on what official ministries can be carried out by women given the “central role” they play in the Amazonian Church. The text also urged the encouragement of more local, indigenous vocations to the priesthood.
On the role of women, Baldisseri underlined the need to “create space for women in the Church at all levels,” but stressed that these spaces “are the ones that the doctrine of the Church teaches and the current discipline.”
The Church, he said, is “very prudent” and will leave it up to the discussion to decide what new ministries and spaces can be created for women in the region, but always in line with “her classic position, her teaching and discipline on priesthood from the Latin Church.”
The document also stressed the importance of having greater respect for the dignity and rights of indigenous populations in the area, and of caring for the diverse terrain characteristic of the Amazon region.
The preamble of the text, which is divided into three parts dedicated to the “see, judge (discern), and act” model, says the main goal of the gathering is to listen to indigenous people in the area and make them the the “first interlocutors” of the discussion.
To do this, “we want to know the following: How do you imagine your serene future and the good life of future generations? How can we work together toward the construction of a world which breaks with structures that take life and with colonizing mentalities, in order to build networks of solidarity and inter-culturality? And, above all, what is the Church’s particular mission today in the face of this reality?”
The first part of the document outlined the historical, social and ecological context of the Pan-Amazonian region, praising the rich cultural and bio-diversity of the area, and condemning the “culture of consumerism and waste turns the planet into one giant landfill.”
“New ideological colonialisms hidden under the myth of progress are being imposed, thereby destroying specific cultural identities,” it said, and cautioned against “distorted” policies which seek to conserve nature without taking into consideration the needs and rights of the people who live there.
Specific concern was raised about the many Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation (PIAV), who have chosen to live in a way that is distant from the outside world and, at times, from other indigenous populations.
These people, the document said, are the most vulnerable population in the area, since they “do not possess the tools required for dialogue and negotiation with the outsiders that invade their territories.”
The second part of the document, dedicated to discernment, touched on the social, ecological, sacramental and ecclesial-missionary needs of the area, with specific attention placed on the role of local faithful and their unity with their pastors.
It stressed the unity of humanity’s relationship with God, with others and with creation, saying these three “vital relationships have been broken, both outwardly and within us.”
To evangelize, then, means “promoting the dignity of each individual, the common good of society, social progress, and care for the environment.”
The document also stressed the importance of unity between Catholic laity in the area and their bishops, saying “the upholding of Church tradition – carried out by the whole people of God – requires the unity of the faithful with their pastors when examining and discerning new realities.”
It emphasized the importance of bishops accompanying their pastors, saying the synod discussion will require “an extensive exercise in reciprocal listening, especially between the faithful and the Church’s magisterial authorities.”
The document closed with a questionnaire consisting of three sets of questions related to each section of the text which will be sent out to bishops in the region, the answers to which will help form the basis of the synod’s working document.
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Unbelievable. Truly, truly, truly.
This pope’s “radical inclusiveness” apparently embraces any and all paths to orgasm. Or, at least, views them as “not a settled matter.”
Poor Jesus. He knew.
“…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
The last sentence reads, “This is a developing story.”
I hardly think so. It’s a story of gravely disturbing deterioration and dissolution.
Authored by the evil one.
It’s almost like a pattern has emerged, but no; it can’t be.
I can’t wait until Hollerich makes his next statement on the beauty of relationships centered on anal sex. Everyone will express wonderment on how such things could be said by a high-ranking Cardinal, especially since it contradicts the “clear teachings of Pope Francis.” No one would know or care about this guy (or McElroy) if Francis had not promoted him precisely because of, not despite, his views on sexual morality. Let’s agree to end the charade before it starts up again. It’s better for everyone’s mental and moral health.
Courtney Mares CNA acknowledges the propriety of Synod on Synodality [SOS] Relator Card Hollerich’s addition to the advisory C9. And adds insightfully that Pope Francis holds him in high esteem. A fellow Jesuit with apparently similar progressive vision, particularly on homosexuality.
His SOS [SOS, the ‘Save our ship’ distress signal fits well with the Synod on Synodality and a barque taking on water] needs to be monitored. In olden golden days the pontiff’s mission would be moral scrutiny of the proceedings. Whether doctrine was secure. Today it’s whether doctrine is holding up pastoral advancement in an enlarged tent Church. Francis keeps barking, Radical inclusion! like a carnival barker. The rest of us, the suffering Church, continue to suffer white martyrdom, after years of negligence saying our rosaries, [some priests even reciting the entire Office of Hours], rising for vigils, penance, fast and prayer, Lent or not. If not we had better.
I’ve said it before, that a Brooklyn boyhood conviction was that if the moral darkness of homosexuality were ever to be embraced by the Catholic Church it would surely signal end times. We’re there. At least by indication. Francis’ high level appointments of Hollerich [and a similar cadre of others] indicates that embrace.
What will happen may well be in our hands insofar as outcome. We can, besides penance and prayer change the course of events by combating evil with good, insult and reprimand with kindness, contempt with love. The weapons of the saints. And of course, the firm witness of the spoken word, and the written word.
SOS = Save Our Sacraments, right?
That’s the encrypted message Donna. Only those with faith can decipher the code.
Keep saying those rosaries father. Our Lady’s triumph is near as we see the enemy make bold public announcements. They know their time is short and are showing their cards for all to see. Our Lady of Good Success pray for us.
Get it right…
Cardinal Hollerich’s comment last fall was not limited to the possibility of blessing same-sex unions: “I believe that the sociological-scientific foundation of this teaching [on sexual morality] is no longer true [….] I think it’s time we make a fundamental revision of the doctrine” https://www.aol.com/news/liberal-cardinal-calls-revised-catholic-135429645-181222377.html
On the other hand, removal of Cardinal Marx seems to indicate that the German non-synod, with all of its inventions, no longer has the inside track as part of the C9.
Would like to hear more about the other new appointees. Cardinal La Croix seems a breath of fresh air, as Hollerich’s synods ripen: “I’m going to be different. One thing is certain. I will preach the Gospel. If people expect something else, they’ll be disappointed” (Wikipedia).
No disappointment in hearing the gospel preached!
Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This pope is determined to bring schism. Then he will be able to cast out all those who disagree with him, all who criticize him, all who want the Church to hold fast to the apostolic faith. He will stop at nothing to push faithful Catholics out of the Church.
And a word of advice to bishops. When you cover for this mad man, you have become part of the problem. You are accustomed to circle the wagons around your “brother bishops” including the pope. The gig is up. It is time for you to take a stand, even if it means losing your career. This is the time we find out what our bishops are made of.
They are to “assist with the governance of the church”?? If the Pope finds himself unable to handle the workload, maybe he should follow in the footsteps of Pope Benedict and resign.
And the “Synod to Destroy the Catholic Church” progresses . . .
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich is blessed with a creative, constructive, and a dynamic vision. The Luxembourger is serving the church with dedication and distinction. May his tribe increase.
Instead of your usual nonsensical rhetoric, ‘Dr.’, present your argument that the Church has been in error for centuries regarding the heterodoxy of the Cardinal and the new ‘virtue’ of accepted homosexual practice.
Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ‘doctor’.
Thanks Ram,
indeed Catechism of the CC has to be read, meditated upon, discussed with fellow mortals, and then prayerfully applied to situations during our brief onward pilgrimage.
Very clever promotion of situation ethics!
About which, St. John Paul II augmented the mentioned Catechism (1992) with his Veritatis Splendor (1993)–and the reality of moral absolutes revealed for the benefit of we “fellow mortals…during our brief onward (?) pilgrimage”:
“…the commandment of love of God and neighbor does not have in its dynamic any higher limit, but it does have a lower limit, beneath which the commandment is broken” (n. 52).
“The relationship between faith and morality shines forth with all its brilliance in the unconditional respect due to the insistent demands of the personal dignity of every man [italics], demands protected by those moral norms which prohibit without exception [!] actions which are intrinsically evil” [!] (n. 90).
“The Church is no way [!] the author or the arbiter of this [‘moral’] norm” (n. 95).
If only those last six prohibitive commandments could be “prayerfully” cancel-cultured, with your clever approval.
Or the depraved, self-serving vision of a practicing homosexual whose cognitive dissonance leads him to insist on the supremacy of homosexual culture.
In an interview with The Pillar, Cardinal Hollerich remarks: “In Japan, I got to know a different way of thinking. The Japanese don’t think in terms of the European logic of opposites. We say: It is black, therefore it is not white. The Japanese say: It is white, but maybe it is also black. You can combine opposites in Japan without changing your point of view.” https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/who-is-cardinal-hollerich .
Three snapshots, plus a conclusion:
FIRST, from the internet we learn: “Onmyōdō (陰陽道, also In’yōdō, lit. ‘The Way of Yin and Yang’) is a system of natural science, astronomy, almanac, divination and magic that developed independently in Japan based on the Chinese philosophies of yin and yang and wuxing (five elements).”
SECOND, and: “It is a system of belief based on the ancient Chinese theories of Yin and Yang and of the five elements and the magical practices that developed after it was introduced into Japan. Its traces are still found in the life of- today’s Japanese.”
THIRD, and: “Yang elements include light, fire, rain, and the heavens. Yin elements include darkness, water, wind, and the earth. Male traits are yang, and female traits are yin. Yang qualities are active, while yin qualities are passive. Everything in the universe results from the interaction of yin and yang.”
CONCLUSION: Who needs supernatural revelation from a Triune God, and the Gospel of the incarnate Jesus Christ, (or Veritatis Splendor and moral absolutes!) when these can be replaced—synodally!—with Yin and Yang? Who needs binary sexuality (black and white?) when the interreligious dispensation—according to Shinto Master Hollerich—is the “interacting” and harmonized, big-tent, grey, middle-ground “third option” of homosexuality (and by extension all of gender theory)?