Synod working groups draft suggestions to help priestless parishes

Published: 2005-10-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Renewed efforts for increasing priestly vocations and a better distribution of the world's priests were the leading suggestions for how the church should respond to priestless parishes in the first drafts of propositions presented by the Synod of Bishops Oct.14. While the idea of ordaining "viri probati" or men -- including married men -- of "proven virtue" had been suggested by some at the synod, it failed to reach majority approval in order to be included in the first round of reports coming out of the synod's 12 working groups. Most reports, which were read in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI, reaffirmed the value of priestly celibacy. One French-language working group report said its members were "unanimous in stating the priceless value of priestly celibacy for the Latin Church." The French report said "vocational pastoral care" should be "more energetic, positive and open to the gifts of God" and noted that better training for priests to help in the missions for a fixed period would "help to gradually overcome this shortage."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .