Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, suggested fostering a true witness to the Faith could reverse the trend.

Cardinal You was visiting Knock for the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors.

The conference coincided with the Year for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood, a national initiative aimed at addressing the decline in priestly vocations in Ireland.

In an interview with The Irish Catholic, Cardinal You highlighted the necessity of promoting priesthood within families. He underscored that simply calling for an end to the ban on priests marrying does not effectively address the root causes of the vocations crisis.

As evidence, the cardinal pointed to the Orthodox Church where marriage is permitted yet vocations have also declined.

Vocations urged within families

Cardinal You urged lay faithful to actively encourage vocations within their families and communities, emphasising the importance of nurturing a culture that values religious life.

He noted a disparity between those vocalising support for married priests in public forums and their reluctance to encourage their own children to pursue a religious vocation.

"I don't want to cause any controversy obviously, but there are those who are shouting aloud. Their voices are quite loud in the public forum and they would not be stepping up to encourage their son or their daughter to pursue a religious life."

Reflecting on the synodal process and the evolving role of clergy in a changing Church, Cardinal You addressed the inclusive nature of the Church encompassing bishops, priests, religious and laity. He emphasised the collective responsibility of all Christians to live out the teachings of the Gospel, fostering a community grounded in love for God and neighbour.

The Cardinal's stance contrasts with recent calls from some Vatican figures to re-examine clerical celibacy.

For instance, Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta earlier this year expressed support for making celibacy optional. "If it were up to me, I would revise the requirement that priest(s) have to be celibate" Scicluna told the Times of Malta.

However, as Cardinal Mario Grech confirmed, the issue of mandatory celibacy is not set down for discussion at the upcoming synodal meetings in October.

Sources

The Irish Catholic

CathNews New Zealand

"There are people who find it difficult to live a celibate life. If you gave them the choice, you could attract a few more to the priesthood," Hollerich told the Luxembourg daily newspaper "L'Essentiel". "In Europe, these 'few' could make a difference."

The Church needs to be understood by people again, "because the times we live in have changed phenomenally", the cardinal continued.

Regarding the blessing of homosexual and remarried couples advocated by Pope Francis, among other things, Hollerich emphasised that he was "absolutely in line with the Pope". Like Pope Francis, he sees himself as a "sinner" and therefore does not want to condemn anyone.

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Rev. Edwin Githang'i Waiguru, a former Roman Catholic missionary, said marriage was a dream come true for him.

On Sunday (October 22) Waiguru married a woman and was ordained in the Catholic Charismatic Church, a splinter church, on the same day.

Before Sunday's wedding, Waiguru had lived in an African traditional marriage and had become the father of two children. Though never ordained, Waiguru made headlines for publicly celebrating his journey.

"I joined the seminary almost 20 years ago. I am also grateful that God has seen it worth to use me to bring something new to the world," Waiguru told journalists after the wedding near Nairobi.

"It is possible to serve God, have a family and a lovely wife."

Calls for change

Other former Catholic priests here hope the prelates gathered for the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican consider priestly celibacy and marriage.

The Rev. Peter Njogu (pictured), a former Catholic priest who is now a bishop of the Restored Apostolic Church in Kenya, sees the possibility of change regarding the celibacy rule.

"The pope has said there is no celibacy law that is cast in stone," said Njogu.

"They can change the celibacy rule — that mandatory celibacy for all serving clerics. We are following to hear if there is any change that can come because that is the only way to solve the problems we are having in the church."

Local bishops have opposed the former priests' efforts, calling them "traitors" and warning people against joining their churches.

"I think this matter is being handled by our teams at the synod," said an African Catholic bishop who did not wish to be named, "but I don't see how one can break the rules and at the same time demand a change."

A popular Ugandan preacher and gospel music artist, the Rev. Anthony Musaala who was suspended from the priesthood for advocating for married clergy, said "It is a long-standing issue and it will eventually be addressed."

Sources

Religion News Service

CathNews New Zealand

The document, called Instrumentum Laboris (Latin for "working document"), is based on the input gathered from a two-year worldwide global synod, where Catholics were invited to share their vision for the church's future.

The comprehensive document covers a wide range of topics, including granting decision-making power to women and exploring the possibility of allowing their ordination.

It also addresses the prospect of allowing married men to become priests in remote areas.

With 33 pages of thought-provoking questions, the Vatican seeks to facilitate meaningful discussions on important issues.

One of the questions asks how the church can create safe spaces where individuals who have felt marginalised or unwelcome can find acceptance, ask questions freely and not face judgment.

The Vatican document also delves into matters concerning LGBTQ+ individuals and others who may feel excluded from the church due to their status or sexuality.

It also poses the question of what concrete steps can be taken to foster a more inclusive environment for remarried divorcees, those in polygamous marriages and LGBTQ+ people.

"Who am I to judge"

This progressive approach is evidenced by the document's use of the term "LGBTQ+ persons," which signifies a departure from the traditional terminology of "persons with homosexual tendencies."

This shift in language reflects Pope Francis' remark from a decade ago: "Who am I to judge?"

An upcoming assembly in October, which will be attended by bishops and laypeople, will build upon the groundwork laid by the Instrumentum Laboris.

It will serve as a platform for reflecting and discussing the church's future.

Notably, Pope Francis' decision in April to allow women delegates to vote at the assembly represents a significant reform.

In addition, the Vatican is considering including women as department heads within the Holy See's central administration through a new constitution.

The document also highlights the need to renew and reform the church's procedures, institutional arrangements and structures to enable greater recognition and participation of women, including in governance and decision-making processes.

The role of women as deacons is a significant consideration within this context.

At the conclusion of the synod, Pope Francis will pen an Apostolic Exhortation, an official document that will articulate his views and recommendations.

The series of questions presented in the Instrumentum Laboris will guide the discussions during the assembly, with delegates from both the clergy and the laity participating in round table conversations.

Sources

US News

CathNews New Zealand

They also want better-prepared, shorter sermons and the removal of bloodthirsty Old Testament readings from Masses and other liturgies, according to a survey of tens of thousands of believers across the church's 26 dioceses on the island.

Similar surveys to the Irish one, which will be considered by an 160-strong national assembly in Athlone, Co. Westmeath on Saturday, are under way across the Catholic world in preparation for a synod in Rome next year.

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