“Working document” for Eucharist Synod: good news and bad

The Vatican has now issued a “working document” for the Eucharist Synod Oct. 2-23 in Rome. (L-ink to the full text is at www.futurechurch.org.) It summarizes responses from the world's bishops to the Lineamenta or preliminary outline circulated last year. The new document fleshes out more of the issues the Synod may address, but it is not the final word. Hopefully the 250 Synod delegates themselves can take the proceedings in new directions.

Pope widens dialogue

This may be more possible than at synods in the John Paul II era, when bishops often complained that there was too little time for discussion. In response, Benedict XVI has shortened time limits on individual speakers from eight minutes to six, saving more time for free exchange. The final hour of each day, usually 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., will be reserved for open discussion.
The working document could have used a healthy dose of reflection from the lay faithful.  It is also crippled by language that excludes women. But laity were not consulted, and if any women religious raised questions about the language, these were not addressed.

Analyzing the text

There is good news and bad:

1. Good news: it finally acknowledges the worldwide priest shortage. For the first time, declining numbers of priests and increasing numbers of Catholics are cited — a victory for CTA and FutureChurch activists who have been publicizing these statistics for a long time. But it is silent on remedial actions, such as ending mandatory celibacy or ordaining women deacons.
2. It laments the decline in Mass attendance but ignores the reasons, such as too few priests, poorly prepared priests, or bad preaching and liturgy.
3. The “celebratory meal” aspects of Eucharist are included, though minimally. But the paper gives little attention to “God with us” — Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist as our brother and friend, preferring to dwell on God’s transcendence, and on Christ’s presence in the sacred species.
4. It seems to value cultic and moral purity over human presence, mercy and forgiveness. It worries about how many receive Holy Communion vs. how few go to confession. Some bishops seem to regard the divorced and remarried as mortal sinners, even those “who don’t know they’re in mortal sin.”  
5. The document nuances moral decisions about politicians and Eucharist: “Some Catholics do not understand why it might be a sin to support a political candidate who is openly in favor of abortion or other serious acts against life, justice and peace.”
6. Some social justice issues are mentioned. Ecologic concerns are raised for the first time. But little is said about the widening gulf between rich and poor. To alleviate poverty, only charity is recommended, not social analysis and empowerment. The word “justice” rarely appears. 

If this Synod is going to make Eucharist more available and more nourishing to the whole church, there is an urgent need for the People of God to lobby the bishop delegates NOW. READ ON!