FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
t eanc 0 VOL. 3,0, NO.4
FALL RIVER, MASS., FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1986
$8 Per Year
Cardinal says synod supplied 20-year plan Suggests national, diocesan synods
Alison Shaw photo courtesy of Vineyard Gazette
FATHER ALMEIDA
Island pastor profiled By Elaine Lembo
Reprinted courtesy of Vineyard Gazette Father Almeida, behind his desk: "I hl/-ve 200 bulletins to copy before Mass tomorrow!" Father Almeida over a hot oven: "This is my first loaf of bread. Want some butter?"
Father Almeida on the phone: "For dinner, 6 p.m.? But someone else already invited me for dinner. "All right. I'll be there at six. Don't let me down." He puts down the phone and turns away. Turn to Page Three
PHILADELPHIA (NC) - Last year's extraordinary Synod of Bishops in Rome set "the basis for the pastoral agenda of the . next 20 years," Cardina'l John Krol of Philadelphia, one of the synod's three co-presidents, said in a recent article in the Philadelphia archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard and Times. One "useful instrument" for . that agenda, he said, "might be national and diocesan synods." Several dioceses around. the country recently have completed a diocesan synod or are engaged. in extensive prepanltions for one. Cardinal Krol's reference to a national synod asa possibility was similar to a suggestion raised last year by Bishop James Malone of Youngstown, Ohio, president of the National Conference of Cahtolic Bishops and another participant at the synod in Rome. Cardinal Krol said the synod made it clear that "the theology of coHegiality' is much more extensive than its mere juridical aspect." Before the synod Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Vatican's doctrinal congregation, had strongly emphasized the strict juridical meaning of collegiality, or the authority of the world's bishops acting in unison with the pope. Much of the presynod debate had focused on how coHegiality was to be understood and' what is the appropriate role of less-than-global groups of bishops, such as national bishops' conferences. In general, although the synod closed Dec. 8, much of its work has yet to begin. It involves carrying out numerous recommendations suggested Ify the nearly 160 delegates and approved by Pope John Paul II. Two recommendations emphasized were: --.:. Form\!'lating a "catechism or compendium of aU Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals" as a "point of reference" for locally produced catechism. - Studying more deeply the theological basis and teaching ·authority of bishops' conferences.
Many ·recommendations will Those recommendations were not require detailed followup by considered key because, they coundl because local directly affect the universal the churches are expected to imchurch. Planning the followup work plement them. The pope convoked the synod of the synod is the task of the .l5-member council of the synod to analyze the teachings of the general secretariat. Cardinal Second Vatican Council 20 years Joseph Bernardin of Chicago is after its conclusion. the only U.S. member. . During the synod sessions The current council,. composed there was disagreement as· to of 12 heads of. dioceses and what extent national and reo three Vatican officials, is re- gional bishops' conferences quired to meet at least twice a share in collegial authority. This year, usually in spring and led to the recommendation for autumn. further study. It formulates precedures for Many synod delegates also carrying out synod recommenda- favored 'the drafting of a unitions and presents them to the versal ouNine of basic Catholic pope for approval. . teachings as a point of 'reference Other synod recommendations in the writing of local cateincluded: chisms. But there was no con- Developing conferences and sensus as to how this should be courses for priests, ,religious and done or who should do it. laity on documents issued by the Cardinal Bernard Law of BosSecond Vatican Council. ton, in a synod speech, 'asked that - .Encouraging education for a commission of cardinals be spiritual development "in priestly, formed to draft the catechism. religious and married :life. After the synod, Cardinal - Improving communication Joseph Ratzinger, head of the and dialogue between bishops Vatican Congregation for the and theologians. Doctrine of the Faith and a sy- Using religious instruction nod delegate, said the churchto improve understanding of the wide catechism would require liturgy. cooperation among several Vati- Studying the concept of can congregations. subsidiarity in 'the life of the Meanwhile, Cardinal Silvio church. Subsidiarity refers to Oddi, ,head of the Vatican Contetting local church authorities gregation for the Clergy and a handle local issues. synod delegate, said in a post- Interpreting the signs of that his congresynod interview the times in relation to the theology of the cross, inculturation, gation was putting the finishing the preferential option for the touches on a new catechism' poor, human rights and the which would .serve as a "guide" for locally written catechisms. social doctrine of the church. The clergy congregation is responsible for catechetics. Cardinal Oddi told National WHAT I,S Catholic News Service, however, YOUR PARISH that his project was independent of the synod recommendation. DOING FOR LENT? He said the project was begun We would like to publish a calenabout five years ago and that he dar ."of Lenten activIties planned bl diocesan parishes. Lectures? presented for the first half of the Dls~usslongroups? Films? Pilgrim. document to the pope Dec. 19. ages? Sacrificial prolrams? Aid to He said he hoped to have the the. needy? second half ready for the pope Let. us know by mall or phone by Feb. 3 for pUblication In our by the end of January. Issue ,of feb. 7. "Maybe it will serve the needs Writ~or¢QII of the synod, maybe not, he said. "I have nothing against setting up another group to draft ~(A);Box" F(,d" Rt~e .. 02722 a catechism. The two can then .', Tel. 675·7048 ' . be matched," said Cardinal Oddi. It
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