In response to the advertised discussion topic of ” Are We Killing Our Priests?” at our upcoming AGM Prof. Thomas O’Loughlin, President of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain and Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Nottingham draws our attention to an article he has published about the number of priests that are required in church.
He raises some points well worth considering and his conclusions are challenging;”it is obvious that there has been a serious crisis of under-ordination not just since the mid-twentieth century but since the mid-sixteenth century when as an effect of the Reformation debates the full-time, professionalized, seminary-educated cleric became the norm. Bringing the number of clerics up to quota would initially be a great shock to the churches: the education system of clerics would have to be altered radically, the expectation that this particular ministry would be funded by others Christians (who, incidentally, are expected to offer their ministry to the church usually without payment) would have to be swept aside, along with discriminatory canonical restrictions on who can be appointed presbyter within a given community.”
Brendan Hoban in his Western People column takes another look at the recent regulations issued by the CDF about cremation.
Brendan wonders ‘How is it that Vatican departments, and not least the CDF, get it so exactly wrong so often?’
‘It isn’t just that the rules don’t make sense at almost any level, apart from the arcane reasoning of the CDF, but that the whole debacle, almost anyone can see, is not only excruciatingly embarrassing for the Catholic Church but will damage its reputation, annoy many of its loyal adherents and frustrate priests left to deal with unreasonable and inoperable regulations.’
Pádraig McCarthy alerts us to the possibility of Fr Tom O’laughlin, professor of historical theology at Nottingham University, arranging a one-day workshop for priests on their experience of presiding at celebration of liturgy.
Fr. Tom says that it would be ‘something very specific for priests – a praxis based workshop on the liturgy.’ In his view, the status quo is not an option.
Chris McDonnell in his recent article in the Catholic Times offers his opinion on comments made by Archbishop of Philadelphia, Charles Chaput about the benefits of having a “smaller, lighter Church if her members are also more faithful, more zealous, more missionary and more committed to holiness”.
Chris sees the comments as a backlash by some in the context of the “interesting change taking place in the United States as the conservative nature of the US hierarchy is gradually being eroded by the appointment of bishops more in tune with the openness of Francis.”
He further states that “To advocate a smaller, purer church challenges the very nature of a pilgrim Church, where the open arms of a Christian welcome demands that we offer what we have and accept others who might wish to share the journey.
It all smacks of religious sectionalism that takes no account of the bumps and difficulties that we all experience.”
SONGS THIS SUNDAY (Suggestions): ‘Be Not Afraid’ / ‘Abide with Me’; ‘Ag Criost an Siol’; On Eagles Wings’; ‘How Great Thou Art’. Opening Comment At this time of remembrance, our…
Sean McDonagh tells us of his experience of the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Fiji.
Sean also tells of the terrible air pollution the over exuberant use of fireworks during the festival caused in Delhi.
Any lessons for over enthusiastic thurible swingers?
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