Two Vatican study groups tied to the synod on synodality released final reports on Tuesday, with one focused on “emerging issues,” including homosexuality, and the other on the selection of bishops.
The man from the US is a known activist, had his "marriage" "blessed" by Fr. James Martin, and wrote a book about his experiences.
I noticed they didn't bother to include anyone who's repented from the homosexual lifestyle and lives chastely. It's really not for lack of people who've done that. ... maybe those people just aren't fluent in jargon?
I'm really glad the synodal groups committed to releasing all their documents in clear, accessible, jargon-free language, so they could be easily read and understood by the majority of the Church, not just insiders. /s
While the proposals from the "emerging issues" group will get more press attention, the report from the selection of bishops group will likely have a greater impact. If, in fact, the local church will start having a central role in the selection of new bishops, that would be a dramatic change from the current practice which involves only a secretive consultation with current bishops and a select group of clergy and laity who are in turn generally recommended by them. The questions are: (1) whether the proposals will in fact be adopted; and (2) if so, whether the new committees, the presbyteral council and the others the nuncio consults will be offering visions truly independent of the views of the powerful in the diocese. If there really is more broad participation in the selection of bishops, I think that it would be an improvement both in discernment and in the willingness of the people to support and trust new bishops. I would add that, when a new bishop is selected, the nuncio should outline the reasons for his selection.
I'm quite impressed with the synthesis of Dei Verbum, Gaudium et spes, and Ad gentes that's present in the pastorality section. Further, the talk of a rediscovery of the circularity between ethical theory and practice in the emerging issues section is probably an improved way of evaluating moral questions than an overly theoretical, casuistic methodology, and provides the antidote for casuistry. Finally, the investigation of episcopal succession and having a greater involvement in the selection of bishops, though not perfect, seems to be a step in the right direction.
Good job to these study groups for their thoughtful engagement with the topics presented to them!
They could have made the "emerging issues" report a lot shorter by just saying, "We propose replacing everything with relativism. Good day."
The man from the US is a known activist, had his "marriage" "blessed" by Fr. James Martin, and wrote a book about his experiences.
I noticed they didn't bother to include anyone who's repented from the homosexual lifestyle and lives chastely. It's really not for lack of people who've done that. ... maybe those people just aren't fluent in jargon?
I'm really glad the synodal groups committed to releasing all their documents in clear, accessible, jargon-free language, so they could be easily read and understood by the majority of the Church, not just insiders. /s
While the proposals from the "emerging issues" group will get more press attention, the report from the selection of bishops group will likely have a greater impact. If, in fact, the local church will start having a central role in the selection of new bishops, that would be a dramatic change from the current practice which involves only a secretive consultation with current bishops and a select group of clergy and laity who are in turn generally recommended by them. The questions are: (1) whether the proposals will in fact be adopted; and (2) if so, whether the new committees, the presbyteral council and the others the nuncio consults will be offering visions truly independent of the views of the powerful in the diocese. If there really is more broad participation in the selection of bishops, I think that it would be an improvement both in discernment and in the willingness of the people to support and trust new bishops. I would add that, when a new bishop is selected, the nuncio should outline the reasons for his selection.
I'm quite impressed with the synthesis of Dei Verbum, Gaudium et spes, and Ad gentes that's present in the pastorality section. Further, the talk of a rediscovery of the circularity between ethical theory and practice in the emerging issues section is probably an improved way of evaluating moral questions than an overly theoretical, casuistic methodology, and provides the antidote for casuistry. Finally, the investigation of episcopal succession and having a greater involvement in the selection of bishops, though not perfect, seems to be a step in the right direction.
Good job to these study groups for their thoughtful engagement with the topics presented to them!