Editorial: Put concrete realities on US bishops’ agenda

UNITED STATES
National Catholic Reporter

NCR Editorial Staff | Nov. 8, 2013

Fall bishops’ meeting 2013

EDITORIAL

Anyone looking at the published agenda of the meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (see story) would say that an efficient, business-like organization could deal with that in half a day. The published agenda is beyond prosaic: approval of some liturgical translations, an election of officers, some committee reports, and a “presentation for a proposal to develop a formal statement on pornography.” (Spoiler alert: They are against porn.)

There is, it seems, very little action in the bishops’ action items.

The bishops should quickly deal with this old agenda, and then address the central question facing them: What kind of conference do they want to be?

Pope Francis has been clear about what he expects of bishops: He has condemned in no uncertain terms clericalism and careerism. One of his earliest statements was that priests — and by extension bishops — should “be shepherds with the smell of sheep” on them. In late October, ordaining two archbishops, Francis told them: “Keep in mind that you were selected to serve, not to dominate.”

Francis has been even more explicit about what he expects from bishops and their national conferences. In his July 27 address to the Brazilian bishops and his address the next day to the leadership of the Latin American Episcopal Conference, he laid out his vision and agenda. We would highlight these points:

* “Central bureaucracy is not sufficient; there is also a need for increased collegiality and solidarity.” What is needed is “not unanimity, but true unity in the richness of diversity.”

* “Let us not reduce the involvement of women in the church, but instead promote their active role in the ecclesial community. By losing women, the church risks becoming sterile.”

* Do diocesan and parish councils, “whether pastoral or financial, provide real opportunities for laypeople to participate in pastoral consultation, organization and planning?”

* Do we give the laity “the freedom to continue discerning, in a way befitting their growth as disciples, the mission which the Lord has entrusted to them? Do we support them and accompany them, overcoming the temptation to manipulate them or infantilize them?”

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