(Last updated:  11 October, 2005)

World Synod of Bishops,

XI General Assembly - October 2005

THE EUCHARIST: SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH

There has been a great deal of interest in the recommendations that the Executive of the NCP has made to both Cardinal George Pell and to  the representatives of the Australian Bishops - Bishop Christopher Toohey and Bishop Adrian Doyle.

You can read the PRESS RELEASE here, and if you would like a copy of the sumbission itself please contact the National Office.

The Submission states that "the key issue is:

Our Catholic tradition demands an ordained priest to lead the celebration of the Eucharist.  We need to set the wheels in motion to DRAMATICALLY INCREASE the numbers of ordained priests."

It then highlights the opportunity that exists "for a different approach"!

**********

One particular approach which needs to be well thought through

is the practice of

bringing Priests in from overseas

to conteract the dwindling numbers of priests in Australia.

With sensitive awareness and recognition that :

• there are many good pastoral reasons for this practice in the vastness of the Australian landscape;
• each bishop has the right and responsibility to provide for the celebration of the Eucharist within his Diocese as best he can, and that

• we need to value and appreciate the goodness and the generosity of those who have already left their homelands to serve the Church in Australia,

Richard Lennan (of the Catholic Institute of Sydney) suggests that this practice of importing priests form overseas "ought not to be adopted as a quick fix to a pressing problem". At the request of the Executive, Richard has provided an article that is thought provoking and challenging. He suggests that the shortage of priests is an "ecclesial issue" which says as much about the ordained priestshood as it does about the life of the local Church in Australia. Read on...

GENTLEMEN  -

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