[From John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter] - Few American bishops have pondered the future of ministry in the Catholic church as thoroughly as Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles. He issued a pastoral letter on the subject in 2000 called “As I Have Done For You,” presided over an archdiocesan synod in which ministry was a major focus, and sponsored three subsequent documents on leadership by the ordained and non-ordained, the role of a lay administrator in a priestless parish, and parish-based evangelization.
Mahony has a profile as something of a liberal, so some of his ideas may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Nonetheless, he’s produced a body of reflection on ministry that few specialized theologians can rival, to say nothing of bishops perpetually pulled in a thousand directions.
Now 73, Mahony spoke on ministry this week to a National Federation of Priests’ Councils convention in San Antonio. At one point he sketched 17 specific challenges facing the church, saying his aim was not to present definitive positions but to foster discussion. Whatever conclusions one may reach, the questions offer a roadmap to the terrain.
The following summary is based on excerpts from Mahony’s San Antonio address.
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Challenges cited by the cardinal include:
1. “Some really harsh generational divides” among priests, “with the younger generation often quite openly challenging the orthodoxy of older priests.” [Is he assuming that priests are indeed orthodox. How 'bout nationally known priests such as Fathers McBrien and Drinan?]
2. A need for “welcome and hospitality” in parishes.
3. In light of the priest shortage, deacons are increasingly being formed to administer priestless parishes. Does that risk “undermining the integrity of the diaconate as a ministry distinct from the ministerial priesthood”? [Why doesn't he address the priest shortage? Would that mean the use by Catholics of contraception?]
4. Offering “proper theological and pastoral formation” for lay ministers, at a time when the economy is prompting greater reliance on volunteers and deacons. [Is this an admission that there has been improper theological and pastoral formatio of lay ministers?]
5. How to foster a strong identity among young priests, without making them “less collaborative, less flexible,” and more inclined to throw their weight around. (Mahony appended what he said is a true story: “One of our seminary professors asked a first year seminarian: Why have you asked your bishop to transfer you to another seminary? Answer: Because the priests, sisters and professors at Saint John’s Seminary want to give the church to the laity!”) [Was the seminarian wrong to say that?]
6. Taking a “hard look” at the changing face of seminarians in terms of age, culture, and language. (“Do we realize,” Mahony asked, “that some of our seminarians from diverse cultures have little or no interest in what many of us think of as ‘multiculturalism’?")
7. “Too many liturgies and homilies are not what they might be, often because of a lack of a good grasp of Scripture as the basis for homilies and for liturgy planning.” [Liturgical dance? Should it be improved or removed?]
8. “A slowing down of ecumenical efforts at the local level, and at all levels.” [Is that the fault of Catholics, or of Protestants who are speeding away from the Church as fast as they can?]
9. A “weakening” of social concern among parishioners, driven in some cases by moral and political disagreement. (Mahony cited an example: “The church’s current efforts at comprehensive immigration reform have often been met with outright denunciation as the anti-immigrant mood takes deeper root.”) [It must be OK for the bishops to throw their weight around when it comes to "social concern." See #5]
10. Threats to parish unity from “the re-introduction of the Latin Mass and more ‘sacred’ liturgies, which have the effect of creating two parallel communities.” [How many parishes are indeed united with only the English language Mass.]
11. How to articulate the church’s positions on sexuality “in a plausible and compelling way.” [So Catholics can faithfully form their own consciences?]
12. “More parish retreats, to give people an inexpensive and parish-related quiet time.”
13. A “poorly realized renewal of reconciliation ministry within parishes -- especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” [What other kinds of "reconciliation ministries" are there besides the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Maybe the fact that there is more than one is the problem.]
14. Training laity to provide spiritual direction, “as part of a larger spiritual renewal ministry in the parish.” ["I'm spiritual but not religious!" 25% go to weekly Mass. How 'bout training people in that?]
15. “The nagging problem of too many people getting children baptized, and getting married, outside their own parish.”
16. “Not enough attention to a communal approach to the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, as an integral part of a community’s care for the sick.”
17. Greater interaction among all the parishes in a diocese, especially “where there are many social classes and many cultural groups.”
Why no mention of:A. Mass Attendance
B. Sacrilegious reception of Holy Communion in the state of Mortal Sin
C. Religious education for teens and adults
D. Planning for financing a Church with a membership that is of retirement age.
E. Evangelization of fallen away Catholics
F. In Los Angeles, the television and movie production capital of the western world, why has the Church not developed a ministry that takes advantage of the techn0logy and talent within arm's length?
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