Papal Criticism
Last week, the Universal Church celebrated Holy Thursday. That day is especially important in the Church because on this day we mark both the institution of the Eucharist and the ordained priesthood. Pope Benedict XVI chose this day to chastise those priests who have called for the ordination of women and the end of priestly celibacy. There is little doubt that his remarks were occasioned by an organized call for disobedience in these areas in a number of countries, especially Austria.
No one should be surprised that the pope would take such a stand in view of the long established Church law regarding these issues and while the pope has ever right and even a duty to maintain long-established traditions in the Church, we still have the problem that somebody has to come up with a solution. The number of priests being ordained has been declining for half a century. In those five decades, we were shored up by short-term pastoral solutions – the diaconate, increased utilization of laity in leadership and pastoral roles, merging the parishes so that one priest could cover two or three parishes, etc., etc.
It seems, however, the tragic priest shortage in Europe and North America is of recent origin and the decline continues. Of more grave consequences was the failure to ever develop an adequate clergy in Latin America. With priests as the kingpin of the Church’s pastoral structure, their absence in adequate numbers leads to a failure of proper development and the lessening of membership. This has certainly been going on for years. A number of countries, such as Guatemala and Brazil, have lost a huge percentage of their Catholic members to Pentecostal and other groups. This is truly tragic.
This may be the largest issue facing the Church in the 21st century. In one way or another, a solution must be found.
Catholic Church
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celibacy, Church, Eucharist, Holy Week, Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, priests, Roman Catholic, shortage of priests, women, women priests
Themocracy
Bishop McCarthy – I am ever amazed at your wisdom and compassion. My comment, however is with regard to the third from the last sentence of this essay in which you state that the larger numbers of Pentecostal converts is “tragic.” My reason for questioning your language here is due to a recent rise in anti-Protestant statements made by fellow Catholics and even priests here in the Diocese of Austin. I would suggest that such conversions are unfortunate for our Church, however I suggest that the Pentecostal Christian movement underscores the spiritual need of people to be transformed by God’s love in a tangible way. Like those in the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit may be moving through these communities. This is both exciting and troubling as I consider the ramifications of our faith. Vatican II was our most recent Upper Room experience. Why have we not embraced this fully? I believe God is calling us to a greater realization of Unitatis Redintegratio. The only tragedy I see is to continue to ignore this call. Peace be with you, Bishop, and thanks for the wonderful conversations. Joseph White
Dear Joseph,
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, and please excuse my brief response- I was referring to Catholics leaving their own faith tradition because of problems within the Catholic Church as being “tragic”. I am well aware of the wonderful spiritual forces present within the Fundamentalist movement. May God continue to bless your work!
Bishop McCarthy, Love your blog and your openness and humanity. Hope you’ll consider commenting on yesterday’s NPR All Things Considered interview re Papal criticism of our nuns. I thought the nun interviewed, head of Network, responded as I might have. How long do women have to remain second-class citizens in the Catholic Church? Thank you and God bless you!
Dearest Clare,
Great to hear from you! The situation is unbelievable. I am hopeful for a massive response- I’ll be part of it!