Excerpts from the Book

the Battle lines

The contention in each individual issue boils down to just one question: “Who enjoys the discernment of the Holy Spirit?” It’s true each issue presents different mechanics of implementation. But once the decision is made as to who is in charge, what remains is pure mechanics, not theology. That includes even the most fought-over issues: admit women to Holy Orders or revise the teaching on homosexuality.

… the battle comes down to who will control and operate the Church, because the battle is over who enjoys the Holy Spirit.

ultimate party to the battle

The key party to determine the outcome of the Synodal Process has yet to be noted: the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ Promise. In all these considerations, the ultimate party to determine the outcome of the Assembly of Bishops is the Holy Spirit. But the theological paradox is that the divine operates through the human. The Paraclete has to do it through a society of men, an institution of men. That is why discussion is valuable; assessing what the Holy Spirit has to work with will cause us even more wonder upon the outcome. What, where, how, when, and if the Holy Spirit will intervene will and must nevertheless come through an institution of men.

Messages from Vatican II

Lumen Gentium (A Light to the Nations) opens with the Bishops asserting the principle that the Church is the People of God. … They decreed that the People of God are filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the sensus fidelium. On that basis, Vatican II called the pew-Catholic to the fullness of Church life. Fullness of participation was to include the offices of ministry and administration; the Bishops were clear to link the expression of “a person of whatever rank” to Church office and the “fullness of Christian life.”

… The pew Catholics were called to their responsibility to respond to the privilege of enjoying inspirations by the Holy Spirit; to engage fully in the operation of the Church; to give sincerely measured time and treasure and talent to the work of the parish.

Laity excercise the priesthood

Jesus was limited in space and time in his mission to make the world holy according to his Father’s intent. The task then falls to Jesus’ followers in history. Not everyone can be present to all the needs; therefore, the priest becomes the official delegate of the entire community to carry on Jesus’ mission. As a rule the priest is delegated the big “S” Sacraments. At the same time, having delegated the official witness to the ordained does not mean to limit the pew-Catholics to the little “s” sacraments. Perhaps eventually decentralization will allow all Jesus followers the exercise of the full priesthood in their individual lives.