Not "superman" priests, but Synodal priesthood
Synodality is a theological neologism with neither a biblical nor a Greek root. Why has Pope Francis introduced it and made it part of the theological vocabulary? Perhaps it is not just a way of picking up the ancient tradition of synods, but a way of overcoming the gap that Vatican II has shown, a...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Informit
2023
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| In: |
The Australasian Catholic record
Year: 2023, Volume: 100, Issue: 3, Pages: 297-313 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HC New Testament KDB Roman Catholic Church RB Church office; congregation |
| Further subjects: | B
Sacramentals
B Popes B Priests B Jesus Christ |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Synodality is a theological neologism with neither a biblical nor a Greek root. Why has Pope Francis introduced it and made it part of the theological vocabulary? Perhaps it is not just a way of picking up the ancient tradition of synods, but a way of overcoming the gap that Vatican II has shown, a way not yet fully dealt with in the life and practice of the church-for various reasons. Synodality is a revival and at the same time a modification of conditions determining the process of revival. While synodality has become a defining principle of ecclesiology, it appears that little has been said about its applicability-especially to the priesthood. Occasionally Francis employs creative imagery, such as that of a shepherd smelling the smell of sheep, yet the document Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church, issued by the International Theological Commission (ITC), hardly mentions priests in conjunction with synodality. Francis's Evangelii Gaudium does, but that document is more focussed on the liturgy, particularly on preaching. In terms of ordination, the Pope reiterates the position of John Paul II and Benedict XVI: that maleness is essential to the priesthood. It is beyond the church's competence to alter what Jesus Christ himself has commanded. However, Francis acknowledges that it may be divisive if sacramental power is too closely associated with power in general. The only ITC statement that I have been able to find on this topic (i.e., Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church) concerns the governing function of a pastor. It differentiates between the process of decision-making, which includes cooperation and consultation, and that of decision-taking, which is reserved to the pastor only. Taking into account canon law, the document formulates the difference of roles succinctly: Working things out is a synodal task; decision is a ministerial responsibility. |
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| ISSN: | 0727-3215 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The Australasian Catholic record
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.3316/informit.190976601642733 |