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We welcome the good news that the International
Bishops’ Synod will take place in Rome in October
2005. The Eucharist is at the centre of Christian
life. And so, for the Church to reflect in this
way in order to make the Eucharistic gathering
around the Lord a time of spiritual renewal for
Christian communities, is of the utmost
importance. The agenda of the Synod, which
outlines the approach of the Synod and is also an
invitation for a response from other Christians,
is very revealing in this regard. However, it
fails to address a very serious problem.
There is nothing in the agenda on the subject of
parishes that have been closed, of people who have
been deprived of weekly Eucharistic celebrations,
or of the shortage of priests, which is the major
cause of these losses. If the Vatican continues in
its refusal to look at this cause we fear that the
very purpose of the Synod is doomed to failure.
The situation is well known. The bishops, one
after the other, bring it up during their “ad
limina” visits to Rome. Unfortunately, encased in
a paralysing tradition, Rome closes its eyes.
We are among those men and women who believe, in
the name of the Gospel, that the Church does not
have the right to abandon its people in this way.
Conscious of the suffering of thousands of
believers deprived of the Eucharist because of a
shortage of priests, the Synod of October 2005
should seek new ways to alleviate a scandalous
situation that cannot be allowed to continue.
A
reevaluation of the law of compulsory celibacy is
required, as well as an examination of the place
of women in a Church of men-only clergy which has
had its day. We wish to express our hope and our
confidence that the needs of the Christian
community will take precedence over outdated
disciplinary rules. The International Synod should
concentrate on one of the needs of the Church that
is most urgent today: the formation of men and
women, celibate and married, who will come from
the community and will be the pastors of the
Church of tomorrow.
Ottawa
October 2004
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