Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a two-part essay. Please read Part 1 here first.
(LifeSiteNews ) — Part I of the Synod report on priestly formation, titled “Ecclesiological-Pastoral Preamble,” speaks of the need to restructure and broaden seminary formation to include not only education in theological studies and helping men live a celibate life, but also to become effective workers in a “synodal church” which strives for “flourishing interpersonal relationships,” a church that will be “more participatory and missionary so that it can walk with every man and woman” (quoting FD no. 28).
Ordained ministry must be “redefined” and be viewed as “in and from” the People of God; and priests must “open themselves to a synodal style” and foster interpersonal relationships by being “welcoming and listening to all” (cf. FD no. 72). This necessitates that the “structure of priestly formation” be “recalibrate[ed] … according to this relational identity,” because “fraternity with the People of God and with every brother and sister cannot be suspended or remain marginal during the time of initial formation.” Continuing, it condescendingly asserts:
Overcoming the temptation to place the priest in isolation and in a sacra aura ‘ahead of’ and ‘above’ the People of God, we must therefore realign the priestly ministry, precisely because of its special sacramental configuration to Christ the Head, Servant and Shepherd, at the feet of the brothers and sisters of the People of God.
To this proposed “recalibration” of priestly formation I respond with a resounding “No!” Led by the Holy Spirit, the Church since the Council of Trent has seen great value in seminary training, where not only the minds of men are formed in the sacred science of theology (and its handmaid, philosophy), but their characters are formed by dedicated, orthodox priestly faculty to help them become other Christs – following the example of Jesus Himself who called His Apostles and disciples to separate themselves from their homes and families in order to be formed by Him for their priestly ministry: the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the salvation of souls (cf. Mt 10:5-15) – something, curiously, that is never mentioned in the report.
In these above-quoted words we also see an attack on the sublime dignity of the priesthood, and the love, respect, high honor and esteem generally accorded to priests by the faithful whom they serve – something very beautiful, and no doubt pleasing to Jesus, the Eternal High Priest, but obviously distasteful to the promoters of the “synodal church.”
More: https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/how-the-synodal-church-will-ensure-traditional-young-men-wont-be-ordained-priests/
