By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Renewed efforts for increasing priestly vocations and a better distribution of the world's priests were the leading suggestions for how the church should respond to priestless parishes in the first drafts of propositions presented by the Synod of Bishops Oct.14.
While the idea of ordaining "viri probati" or men -- including married men -- of "proven virtue" had been suggested by some at the synod, it failed to reach majority approval in order to be included in the first round of reports coming out of the synod's 12 working groups.
Most reports, which were read in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI, reaffirmed the value of priestly celibacy. One French-language working group report said its members were "unanimous in stating the priceless value of priestly celibacy for the Latin Church."
The French report said "vocational pastoral care" should be "more energetic, positive and open to the gifts of God" and noted that better training for priests to help in the missions for a fixed period would "help to gradually overcome this shortage."
One of the three English-language working groups said mandatory celibacy was "not the principal and certainly not the sole reason" for the shortage of priests. Today's culture shows "a lack of lifelong commitment" to most things, even marriage, it said.
The working group also said "local churches should be open to sharing priests" and that the permanent diaconate could free the priests from "many administrative, educational and service ministries."
Another English-language working group said in its report that "the value of (the) Liturgy of the Word" could serve "as sustenance for those who are deprived of access to the Eucharist."
The reports, summaries of which were released by the Vatican Oct. 15, represent summaries of priorities and suggestions that came out of each working group's discussions. They will serve as a starting point for a final list of propositions the synod fathers will deliver to the pope.
Most of the language group reports expressed concern for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics and the need to find ways to make them feel welcome in the church even though they cannot receive Communion.
One Italian group talked about "conditions of admission to the Eucharist in the case of remarried divorcees." Another Italian-language group said the church needed to work more to educate couples preparing for marriage.
A Spanish-language group said the church should also offer divorced or civilly remarried couples "guidance and support to permit them to clarify their situation with a suitable canonical process."
No written report mentioned subjects that received some attention during the synod's general discussions such as whether the faithful should receive a consecrated host on the tongue rather than in the hand and whether politicians whose policies went against church teaching should be denied Communion. Even the subject of eucharistic sharing with non-Catholics got very little mention in the written reports.
The working group reports showed a general concern for promoting a "dignified celebration" of Mass and included the suggestion that the sign of peace be moved to the beginning of the offertory from its current position just before the distribution of Communion.
All the reports underlined the need for Catholics to better live out their faith in their daily lives, including showing greater commitment to social issues.
Mass should inspire Catholics to "share and to imitate the same merciful love of God" to others, said one Spanish-language group, which stressed that when people partake in the Eucharist they "necessarily grow also in social commitment to defend human life, family values, justice, solidarity and peace."
One French-language group said the Catholic commitment to justice "verifies the depth of true eucharistic spirituality."
Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
