This shift has raised questions about the role of priests in this cardinal moment of earthly life. Queries have also risen about the impact the shift will have on the faithful.

"The heart of our proclamation is the resurrection of Christ" said Jean-Baptiste Sallé de Chou, parish priest at Saint-Joseph des Quatre-Routes Parish in the diocese of Nanterre.

"Being present with those who are in despair about death is one of the most important moments for announcing it" he continued.

On the other hand, some dioceses are actively involving parishioners in conducting funeral ceremonies, emphasising co-responsibility with the laity.

The diocese of Saint-Étienne relies on 475 trained laypeople to lead funerals and accompany families, fostering a compassionate approach.

Christiane Jakob, who oversees pastoral bereavement at the diocesan level, commented "We meet them where they're at and take a lot of time with them. Compassion is the watchword of our accompaniment, we experience the Passion with them."

Vital representatives of the Church

While they may not be ordained ministers, lay people are viewed as vital representatives of the Church and play a significant role in evangelisation.

The Service National de la Pastorale Liturgique et Sacramentelle underlines that Catholic funeral teams, along with priests, manifest the presence of the Church, reaching out to people in their distress through their witness, words and celebrations.

Thibaud de la Serre, a parish priest in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, appreciates the efforts of lay people. However he sees the priest as a crucial sign and word for those who may have lost contact with God.

"I marvel at the work of the laity. But by being present to announce the name of Jesus, the priest is a crucial sign and word for those who no longer hear from God" said Fr de la Serre.

Jean-Baptiste Sallé de Chou, a priest in the Nanterre diocese, sums up the Church's mission: "What seems most important to me is to take the time to allow this moment of consolation so that families implicitly understand the Church's mission. And in this, we are complementary with the laity."

In October, The Association of Catholic Priests predicted that priestless funerals would become increasingly common in Ireland by the decade's end.

Sources

La Croix International

CathNews New Zealand

In his article, Roche says that priests may be able to make some small changes to overcome clericalism if they gave up expecting to be called "Father."

"In August last year, Pope Francis wrote a Letter to the People of God, to all of us," said John Dew.

"The Holy Father appealed to all of God's people to take action against "clericalism" which he sees as the source of abuse perpetrated by priests and bishops."

"Making a choice to tell the people we serve not to call us Father (or for me "Your Eminence" or "Cardinal") might seem a very small thing to do, but it may be the beginning of the reform in the Church which we have been asked to do by Pope Francis," said Dew.

Roche gave three reasons why priests should not be called "Father."

1. The Gospel

Priests wish to be disciples of Jesus who said, "You are not to be called 'Master,' for you have but one Master, and you are all brothers and sisters.

And do not call anyone on earth 'Father,' for you have but one Father, who is in Heaven" (Mt 23: 8-9).

2. Not children, but brothers and sisters

It can make people put others into a relationship of parent and child.

It is not possible to have equal relationships between adults who are brothers and sisters if we call one of them "Father."

If we want the Church to be a family where we care for and look after one another we need to reflect on these words from the Second Vatican Council: "Even though some, by the will of Christ, are made doctors and pastors for the good of others, in terms of the dignity and activities of all the faithful in the edification of the Body of Christ, there is true equality among all." Lumen Gentium 32

3. Expression of an emotional dependence

The practice of calling the priest "Father" can be unhealthy because it can become an expression of dependence which is based on a false and unreal idea of obedience.

Fatherhood is a mixture of affection and authority. But it can be dangerous, especially if it is made sacred.

Source

• mcshwellington.org
• Image: Archdiocese of Wellington

"It has caused enormous angst [and anxiety], and probably the majority of Catholics, in the western world anyway, ignore the church's teaching on contraception," said Cole.

"Even if the church in the end doesn't change, it must be willing to confront, and to discuss."

"I believe the laity is at a point where it won't just take, 'they're not at the table for discussion' as an answer."

Cole also said the Church is absolutely and solidly pro-life, so it will never approve abortion or euthanasia."

Cole is one of 17 international auditors invited to speak at the synod

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: alumnionline.massey.ac.nz

Cardinal Arinze's newest book is The Layperson's Distinctive Role (Ignatius Press), and he recently, via e-mail, answered questions from Catholic World Report about that book.

CWR: How did the Second Vatican Council, and then Bl. John Paul II, seek to address the role of the laity? What was distinctive about that approach compared to the pre-conciliar era?

Cardinal Arinze: The Second Vatican Council addressed the role of the laity by teaching that this role is based on Baptism by which the laity "are made one body in Christ and are established among the People of God" (Lumen Gentium, 31). The principal passage on this is LG 31. This teaching is discussed in greater detail in LG 32-37 and also in Gaudium et Spes 43 and in Apostolicam Actuositatem 2-7.

Blessed John Paul II, particularly in his postsynodal apostolic exhortation Christifideles Laici, bases the lay apostolate on the mystery of the Church. "I am the vine and you are the branches" (Jn 15:5; CL 20). The lay people are sharers in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission of Jesus Christ (CL 29). A secular character is peculiar to the laity. So this great Pope states: "Thus for the lay faithful, to be present and active in the world is not only an anthropological and sociological reality, but in a specific way, a theological and ecclesiological reality as well" (CL 15).

Distinctive about both approaches is that both Vatican II and Bl. John Paul II consider the lay faithful primarily as called to evangelize the secular order. Before Vatican II many in the Church defined the lay apostolate as a participation in the apostolate of the hierarchy (i.e. of the clergy). Continue reading

Sources

• The Catholic World Report
• Image: Southern Orders