Synodal Path threatens priesthood

Cardinal Ouellet interview during the Symposium on the Priesthood which took place in 2022.

Needed to reflect on celibacy, women, laity

The Cardinal illustrates the objectives, ideas and novelties of the 17-19 February Symposium on the Priesthood, organised by the Congregation of Bishops of which he is prefect: "The main objective is to rethink the relationship between the ordained ministry and the fundamental ministry of every baptised person".

The underlying objective is "to respond in a broader and deeper way to the current problems of priestly life". Therefore the over 500 participants at the Symposium "For a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood", scheduled to take place in the Paul VI Hall from 17 to 19 February, will discuss all the aspects related to this issue, starting from the roots and teachings of the Council, to an analysis of the deformations of the ministry, such as abuse and power, and complex issues such as celibacy, which has recently returned to the forefront. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, the department organising the Symposium together with the Centre for Research and Anthropology of Vocations, explained to the Vatican media the objectives, ideas and novelties of the initiative that will be opened by the Pope.

Your Eminence, why the need to organise a symposium on the theme of the priesthood? 

For some years now, think of the Synod on Amazonia or the various national synods, this question has been touched upon, and in particular that of celibacy. It seemed necessary to us, the Scientific Committee for the organisation of the Symposium, to go deeper into the subject, especially that of the baptismal priesthood. In Catholic culture when one speaks of priesthood one thinks of priests, of ordained ministries, whereas the Council re-established a balance between the fundamental priesthood of the baptised and the ministerial priesthood. This, however, has not yet fully passed into pastoral practice and awareness of the Church's mission, which also involves all the baptised. The main interest of the meeting is therefore to deepen this connection, in order to better think about the communion of vocations in the Church, but also about the complementarity of states of life.

Who will attend the various sessions?

We have had about 500 registrations so far, including bishops, priests, lay people, religious. A very varied participation and above all open to all.

The topics announced in the programme include celibacy, which has been discussed recently. In the presentation in the Vatican Press Office last year, you and other speakers made it clear that it would not be a symposium on celibacy, but that "new avenues" would be explored. In what way and from what perspectives will this issue be approached?

The dimension of celibacy will be the subject of specific studies by various authors. I cannot predict what will be said, but I can say that the topic will certainly be addressed and not only as a response to current challenges. There are challenges: think of the problem of abuse, where celibacy is being questioned. To a certain extent it has to be answered or explained, but that would be a study beyond the scope of the Symposium. I have already said on other occasions that to delve into the causes of the abuse affair, which is very shameful for the Church, it will take a theological, historical study as well, which has not yet been done. The studies carried out so far by various countries, such as Germany, France, Australia, are on a more sociological and cultural level, but do not touch the theological aspect in depth. This remains to be done, perhaps as an in-depth study for a future edition. At the moment, I repeat, this is beyond the scope of the upcoming Symposium, which rather wants to rethink the communion of vocations and also restore some enthusiasm for the faith and mission of the Church.

The role of women, both as a theme and as a presence among the speakers: what and how much space will it have in these three days?

Several women will speak precisely on the issue of women and priesthood. In particular, there will be a panel held by three experts who will take a position on the issue between women and ministry.  

Will the Symposium be in any way illuminated by the Synodal Path initiated by the Pope?

Absolutely. It is precisely in the context of listening to the people of God for a Synodal Church. It takes a long time in the Church for the orientations of a Council to really reach a missionary trust shared by all the faithful. We still have a long way to go for the baptised to understand that their Baptism is not only a passport to Heaven, but also a responsibility to communicate to the rest of humanity the treasure they carry in their hearts through faith in Christ.

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