Just as there was a longstanding, controversial proposal in response to the divorced and remarried issue (Cardinal Walter Kasper’s invitation to consider the Orthodox approach), a solution has been proposed to address the crisis of Priestless parishes.
What is this solution and who is its advocate?
During 50 years in South Africa, and traveling to many parts of the world, the now-retired German Bishop, Fritz Lobinger, observed how many Christian communities in remote areas have been led in practice by small groups of committed, mature lay people.
His proposed solution is to ordain them after a brief training, so that they can administer the Sacraments within that community alone.
These “locally ordained ministers” ( Lobinger says it is important not to call them Priests, even though it would involve precisely the same Sacrament of Priestly Ordination), would be a parallel Priesthood, complementary to the existing norm in the Latin Rite of a celibate, seminary-trained Priest sent by his Bishop as Pastors of parishes or missions.
Bishop Lobinger points to a precedent in the Acts of the Apostles 14:23 when St Paul and Barnabas appointed (or ordained) “elders” in the young Christian communities, the term referring not so much to the age of these ministers but their maturity or fitness for the task. These were teams of men who were not sent to their community but came out of it; who ministered to the community part-time, while continuing to work at their professions; and who had families.
Pope Francis has given many signals of his willingness to open up the question of ordaining married men, even encouraging local Churches to put forward proposals of their own.
Bishop Erwin Krautler, the Austrian-born bishop of Xingú, reported that, in a private audience with Francis in April of 2014, they had compared notes on how the Priest shortage affects the Church in Latin America. Bishop Krautler said Francis had cited a Mexican diocese - presumably San Cristóbal in Chiapas - where parishes were run by Permanent Deacons, who would need only to be ordained in order to celebrate Mass.
In that same discussion, Francis described Bishop Lobinger’s proposal as one of a number of “interesting hypotheses” and urged Bishop Kraütler to go off and build national bishops’ conference consensus for “bold, concrete proposals” which they should bring to Rome. “The Pope said he is open to the question, he wants to listen to local churches. But he said no local church, no national church, should go on its own,” the Bishop said.
What is noteworthy is that this was precisely the same message Pope Francis gave the German Church when it was talking in 2013 of readmitting divorced couples to Communion on a case-by-case basis.
Bishop Lobinger’s proposal has been developed further by a Brazilian theologian at the Pontifical University of Paraná in Curitiba. Father Antonio José de Almeida, recently published a book on the “new ministries.” He points to the 40,000 ‘Delegates of the Word’ in Honduras, or the 400 married indigenous Permanent Deacons in Chiapas, as signs of the emergence of ‘Presbyteral’ vocations rooted in the community of the sort referred to in the Acts of the Apostles. Father Alameida is in turn advising a Brazilian church commission reflecting on the question that includes two cardinals close to Francis: Claudio Hummes, the Archbishop emeritus of São Paolo, and Raymundo Damasceno Assis of Aparecida.
If they conclude that ordaining local elders is not just a solution for a shortage of Priests but a sign that the Holy Spirit is speaking to the Church, Pope Francis might decide that the Church may now be ready to confront the crisis with the prospect of reforming the Priesthood in a dramatic way, redefining both its mission and structure.
What structure would Francis likely employ for such a controversial matter?
Given the divisions sparked by the Family Synod discussions and Amoris Laetitia, I believe only an Ecumenical Council (the highest teaching authority of the Church) could provide the setting in which such a potential divisive issue could be addressed and resolved.
Could this be Vatican Council III which my Professor predicted would come to pass?
I believe so.
The critical shortage of Priests deserves the dignity of discernment and consideration that only an Ecumenical Council could provide.
Certainly, a discernment of this magnitude needs to take place in the esteemed and respected setting of an Ecumenical Council, whose judgment on the matter will bear the imprint of supreme magisterial authority to which every Catholic of good will be called upon to render obedient faith.
There will be many who will say that Francis would never convene an Ecumenical Council. They should be wary not to rush to that judgment, especially with regard to this Pope who seems not to be intimidated or fearful of taking on issues of great import and consequence to the People of God.
The Holy Spirit has been given to the Church by Christ as the source of Truth and Light in its mission to make disciples and teach nations. The Holy Spirit is aware of the crisis. Those willing to open themselves to the inspiration of the Same Spirit will hear the solutions He surely is eager to provide.
Is the Holy Spirit calling the Church to re-examine the Priesthood at this time? Will Francis be the Pope to heed the call?
Perhaps. It will be interesting to see to say the very least.
For our part, let us pray for our Church, our Holy Father, all the Bishops, and especially our Priests who are alter Christus (other Christs), allowing us to be touched by Jesus' Grace and Peace through the Sacred Priesthood they personally embody.
Tomorrow begins the fourth and final week of Advent, this marvelous time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas Day. And so, from now until Christmas, my posts will be much lighter in spirit in keeping with the joyfulness of the season. Lord knows, we all need a respite from the controversies and divisions of recent days.
God bless you. Please take time to prepare your mind and heart for the Glorious Miracle of the Nativity of Christ and the Promise of hope and salvation It inspires within us.
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