| Celibacy defended in synod’s report to
pope
By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
NCR Staff
Rome
Priestly celibacy is not “simply a matter of ecclesial
discipline imposed by authority,” but is “convenient and
congruent” with the theology and spirituality of the priesthood, according
to the final propositions from the European Synod.
The bishops of Europe told the pope that relaxing celibacy is not
a solution to the priest shortage, which they called “a sign of a serious
crisis of faith.”
NCR obtained a copy of the synod’s final propositions,
which are secret. They are issued in Latin. The Italian news agency Adista was
planning to publish the full text (in Italian translation) as NCR went
to press.
The 40 propositions from the bishops will form the basis of a
document -- called an “apostolic exhortation” -- that the pope is
expected to issue next year.
Celibacy was a controversial topic for the synod, and the language
in the propositions is weaker than some bishops wanted. Sources said that
earlier drafts described celibacy as a “consequence” of the
church’s theology on priesthood, rather than something
“congruent” with it.
Archbishop Keith Michael Patrick O’Brien of Edinburgh,
Scotland, told reporters Oct. 20 that in an English-language group, diocesan
bishops had supported more flexibility on celibacy while curial bishops opposed
it (NCR, Oct. 29).
Marriage and women’s roles also evoked controversy. One
working group had proposed that women be named to head curial agencies.
Instead, the propositions call for women to enjoy “full participation in
the life and mission of the church.”
Propositions on marriage largely adopted the language of the
French language group chaired by Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Belgium. One
calls for reflection on the fact that marriage preparation today is uneven.
In an interview with NCR, Danneels explained that this
unevenness suggests that some church marriages may be invalid. In those cases,
divorce and remarriage would not be an obstacle to receiving the
sacraments.
In addition to the propositions, the bishops issued a concluding
3,600-word “message.” It was deliberately upbeat, using some version
of the word hope 58 times.
Among signs of hope in the church, the bishops cited martyrs in
the East and new ecclesial movements. Bishops also saw positives in European
society: political unification, tolerance, acceptance of democracy and human
rights.
National Catholic Reporter, November 5,
1999
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