Contents
I: Introduction
II:
Communio
III: The Heart of the Church
IV: Mary, Mother of the Church, "Woman of
the Eucharist"
V: The Synod Experience
VI: Preparing My Response
VII: Prayerful Gratitude
Additional Material
Decree of Promulgation of the Decrees and Declarations of the Synod
Decrees of the Tenth Synod of the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia
Declarations of the Tenth Synod of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Pastoral
Reflections of Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua
on
the
Tenth
Synod of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Introduction
As
Archbishop of Philadelphia, it has been for me a privilege, both humbling and
enriching, to lead a local Church growing in diversity and vibrancy.
It is because of my responsibility as Shepherd of the Church in
Philadelphia that I called for and valued the various pastoral planning
initiatives which have guided the Archdiocese since my installation as
Archbishop. It is this same
responsibility that prompted me to convoke the Tenth Archdiocesan Synod in order
to shape the direction for the Church in Philadelphia as we advance into the 21st
Century and the Third Millennium, one wrought with many challenges yet so full
of hope and promise.
All
of the work associated with our nine-year renewal leading to the Jubilee Year
2000, the collaboration, consultation and planning, though challenging, has also
been enriching. Through dialogue
and mutual understanding developed in parish councils, parish self-studies and,
more recently, in cluster pastoral planning, many have come to appreciate that
the Church, although lived and expressed beautifully within each parish,
encompasses more than just the individual parish.
We all have a more profound understanding of the Church as the Body of
Christ, a communion of persons united in the life of the Blessed Trinity.
Communio
The
concept of communion, or communio, means “everyone together working
towards a common goal.” This
theological concept is rooted in the very inner life of the Blessed Trinity.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three Persons in one God, live eternally
and equally in a dynamic bond of love.
Saint
Paul the Apostle embraced the reality of communio, as illustrated in his
letter to the Philippians. So many
of the characteristics of lived communio are outlined in this passage: “If
there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in
the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind,
with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing (Phil 2:1-2).”
The gifts so generously bestowed on us by Christ are given so that we may
build up the Church as a living temple. All
that we have received we are meant to share.
From our communio we are strengthened for evangelization.
In the spirit of communio, in the spirit of working together
toward the common goal of spreading the Gospel and strengthening the witness of
the Church, we all have something to offer. Yet, as Saint Paul teaches in the
same passage, “we do nothing out of selfishness or vainglory (Phil 2:3).”
We are not motivated by selfish goals.
Our concern is always for the Church, for faithful adherence to all
magisterial teachings, and for each and every person who is called to be part of
the Church.
Jesus
Himself gave to us an awesome promise: “Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with
him (John 14:23).” These
words not only reflect the intimate union of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity
with one another. This teaching
also reveals the intimacy with which the Trinity lives within all the baptized
who love and keep the word of Christ.
Our
Tenth Archdiocesan Synod did indeed reflect that spirit of communio, of
working together, united by the common purpose of strengthening the witness of
the Church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
We, the entire local Church, listened to the faithful of the Archdiocese
during the consultation phases, considered those outstanding areas which impact
the immediate future, and formulated recommendations and possible action steps
in an effort to outline a vision for the future.
The end to which our Synod proceeded
was making Jesus Christ more clearly present, more visible, more audible, more
tangible in our individual lives and in our interaction with others, in our joys
and in our afflictions, in our present day and in the years to come.
The
Archdiocese has always searched for new means of spiritual conversion.
Nine years of renewal, preparing for the Jubilee Year 2000, as well as
parish and cluster pastoral planning laid the groundwork for the historic event
of the Synod. Almost two years of
further consultation, study and prayer brought us to the threshold of this
inspired and sacred moment. Our
efforts were not in vain. I am confident that with the intensive labors of all those
involved in the preparation of the Synod and in unity with the whole Church,
this Tenth Archdiocesan Synod will enable the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to
fulfill the call of Pope John Paul II to become “a holier priesthood, a
holier episcopate, a holier Church.”
Our
Synod served as a concrete model of what happens when individual agendas and
personal prejudices are replaced by an attitude of common faith and belief,
united in the purpose of increasing the presence of Christ in our families,
parishes, Archdiocese and, indeed, everywhere.
Our Synod reflected the communio which is at the foundation of the
unity of all the members of the Church. United
with the common goal of making Jesus Christ more known, we can honestly say that
we now have a greater understanding of what it means to work together as members
of the Body of Christ and how it feels to know that we all have contributed to
increasing Christ’s life and light within ourselves and within our world.
The
Heart of the Church
On
Holy Thursday, 2003, Pope John Paul II issued the encyclical Ecclesia De
Eucharistia. This
significant document reiterates what the Church has believed for two millennia
about the Most Holy Eucharist. Our
Holy Father calls each of us to a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for this
sacrament which is at the very heart of the Church. The
gift of the Eucharist, the central mystery of the Church as taught by Vatican
Council II, is the source and summit of all the Church’s activity.
The
entire Church recognizes that the bond of unity which strengthens our communio
is the True Presence of Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist.
As we receive Our Lord’s Eucharistic Presence, our unity becomes more
visible and our mutual charity is enlivened.
The authentic celebration of the Eucharist in our parish settings is the
source of vibrancy throughout the Archdiocese.
From the celebration of the Eucharist, recognizing our diverse ethnic and
cultural backgrounds, we unite to make present in the world the compassion of
our loving Savior. Nourished and
sustained by the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, we advance the growth
of the Church in our homes, schools, neighborhoods and workplaces.
In
a particular way, the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia long have
recognized the spiritual fruit realized not only through the reception of
the Eucharist but also through adoration of the Eucharist.
Taking to heart the words of Jesus, “Remain here and keep watch with
me” (Matthew 26:38), people of all ages have found great consolation in
spending time in quiet prayer before Christ present in the Most Blessed
Sacrament. Through the zealous
efforts of Saint John Neumann, the Forty Hours Eucharistic Devotion was
introduced in the United States here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
To this day, our parishes continue to experience spiritual invigoration,
not only during Forty Hours but through opportunities for Eucharistic adoration
on a monthly, weekly and daily basis. Deeply
encouraged by the Eucharistic piety of the faithful of the Archdiocese and in
deep appreciation for Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Ecclesia De
Eucharistia, I look forward to the expansion of Eucharistic Adoration in
all the parishes of the Archdiocese.
Mary,
Mother of the Church, “Woman of the Eucharist”
In
the above-referenced encyclical, the Holy Father explains the intimate
relationship between Our Lady and the Eucharistic Presence of her Divine Son.
Calling Mary “Woman of the Eucharist,” Pope John Paul II
exhorts us to imitate Mary in her openness to the Presence of God within, as
well as to be faithful servants, always ready to do whatever Christ asks of us.
Just as Mary gave hope and courage to the members of the early Church, so
now she beckons all the faithful to her Son’s Saving Banquet.
The
faithful of the Archdiocese also know how closely Eucharistic devotion and
Marian devotion are linked. Mary
helps all her beloved children to “contemplate the face of Christ,” as our
Holy Father wrote in his 2002 Apostolic Letter on the Rosary, Rosarium
Virginis Mariae. How true
this is, particularly as we, with Mary, adore her Son present in the Most
Blessed Sacrament.
It
remains most edifying for me to preside over a local Church so deeply devoted to
our Eucharistic Lord and to His Holy Mother.
Devotion to the Eucharist and to Our Lady has sustained the faithful of
this Archdiocese in times of peace, turmoil and transition.
The spirit with which we entered our Tenth Archdiocesan Synod, a spirit
of unity marked by a desire to promote the work of Renewal, was truly a
Eucharistic spirit. As we advance
further into this new millennium, our faith remains anchored in the knowledge
that, guided by the inspiration and example of our Blessed Mother, we draw
closer to Our Eucharistic Lord and, in turn, make His Presence known and loved
by others.
The
Synod Experience
As
I carefully observed the proceedings of the Synod sessions, I was greatly moved
by the love, faith and integrity of all who came together to recommend a future
direction for our Archdiocese. In
my interaction with the Synod members, laity, religious and clergy, I saw how
much they love and support the Church. I
experienced an energy and enthusiasm which guarantee that the Church, in a time
when the Church is seemingly besieged on so many sides, is supported by the love
and solicitude of men and women, young and old, who want nothing more than to
see the presence of Christ increase. I
will remain forever deeply indebted to the Synod members for the gifts, talents
and insights which they brought to the sessions, as well as the personal
sacrifices which each of the members made in order to participate.
In
addition to the material work of the Synod, a great deal more was accomplished.
Strangers who met only several months prior became friends. Through
prayerful collaboration, reflection and dialogue, we all learned to listen
attentively to and respect the opinions of others.
We encountered the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is always present and
active when the members of Christ’s Body gather together in prayer and unity. Above all, we experienced a deepened sense of the Church as communio,
an appreciation for the working of the Spirit in the Church, as well as the
important role of every member of the Church –
laity, religious and clergy – in the task of evangelization.
Through all our efforts, sacrifices, deliberations and common prayer, we,
as individuals, have decreased, while Christ has increased and becomes more
clearly visible in our homes, neighborhoods, parishes, and Archdiocese.
These are, first and foremost, the primary outcomes of the Tenth
Archdiocesan Synod.
Preparing
My Response
To
understand my own process in responding to the Synod proposals, it is important
to recall practical elements concerning the preparation for and proceedings
during the Synod sessions.
Following
the consultation phases in the fall of 2001 and the spring of 2002, separate
Topical Commissions were established to consider the nine major synodal topics.
Each commission prepared a report which was divided into four sections:
Church Teaching; the Current State of Affairs; the Desired State; and
Formal Proposals. These formal
proposals became the focus for consideration at the Synod sessions.
During
the formal Synod sessions in the fall of 2002, Synod members seated at tables of
eight were given opportunity to consider each proposal and engage in dialogue in
order to determine levels of consensus. Provision
was made in the process for members to suggest modifications for any proposal.
If a majority at the table endorsed a modification, it became a
“table” modification. Table
modifications were then passed on to the next level of dialogue at which time,
if consensus was arrived at, a modification was added to a proposal as a
“formal” modification. Members
were assured, however, that all modifications - individual, table and formal -
as well as all suggestions received during the consultation period would be
catalogued and shared with the respective archdiocesan entity tasked with review
and implementation of the synodal decrees. In this way, the fullest understanding of the mind of the
faithful will be considered.
Following
the formal sessions, the work of the Synod continued as I studied, reflected on,
and prayed over the many recommendations which were presented for my
consideration. Bearing in mind that
the work of the Synod is the work of the Holy Spirit, I placed each
recommendation before the Wisdom of God, seeking guidance to make the necessary
decisions. I was supported by the
prayers of all the faithful for me to gain a better understanding for each
recommendation and to make appropriate judgments in order to respond
effectively, conscious that my decisions would profoundly influence and shape
the future of the Church in Philadelphia.
In
the following sections regarding Declarations and Decrees, you
will find all nine Synod topics listed in alphabetical order: Adult Faith
Formation; Catholic Education of Youth; Evangelization; Liturgy; Marriage and
Family; Moral and Social Issues; Roles of Service in the Church and in the
World; Spirituality, the Call to Holiness, and the Sacraments; Youth and Young
Adults. In reviewing the proposals
under each topic, I was conscious of the suggestions and modifications offered
at each level of consultation and dialogue.
Since I was present during each session and had the wonderful opportunity
to interact with Synod members, I appreciated “first hand” where many of the
members stood concerning various proposals.
Therefore, I deemed it important to consider not only the percentage of
support registered for each proposal but, more importantly, what the Synod
members were actually thinking about particular proposals.
As a result, these personal and group impressions, opinions and
suggestions were invaluable in my preparation of the language contained in the
formal Norms.
During
my review, I identified three categories of proposals, namely, 1) those
proposals which received a level of consensus for support as written or as
formally modified, 2) those proposals which received a level of consensus for
non-support as written or as formally modified, and 3) those proposals for which
it was difficult to determine any level of significant support or non-support
due to the varied modifications.
I
am pleased to note that I have accepted all those proposals contained in the
first category, i.e. those proposals which the Synod members supported as
written or modified. Although the actual wording may differ, the Norms capture the
essence of these proposals and give direction to appropriate archdiocesan
entities regarding development and implementation of programs.
In
regard to the proposals in the second and third categories, I acknowledge the
thoughtful consideration given these matters by the Topical Commissions and
Synod members. Because the Synod members expressed such disparity or even
lack of support for proposals in these two categories, I was not in a position
to accept each one as written or modified.
Nonetheless, I did consider the concepts expressed in these proposals to
be most important. Consequently, I
have also established norms which capture many of the ideas expressed in these
particular proposals so that appropriate attention will be given.
In
several instances, where consensus was reached indicating lack of support for
certain proposals, I deemed the subject matter to be sufficiently important to
warrant further study and review. This
is reflected in various norms. The
only proposal, however, which does not appear in the norms in any fashion is
Proposal #7 under the topic of Catholic Education of Youth.
It reads: “That an Advisory Board, under the direction of the
Regional Vicar and each cluster, be formed which would make recommendations to
develop and fund parish Catholic schools and programs of religious formation in
each cluster.” This proposal
failed to find consensus among the Synod members, with more than half of the
members voting against it. In part,
this proposal suggests a new layer of administrative organization besides the
already established vicariate structure. The
need to review the ability of parishes to finance schools and religious
education programs as well as the need to identify new funding sources are
addressed in other proposals which did receive consensus.
Therefore, I concurred with the majority of the Synod members not to
establish a new level of administration but also not to neglect the critical
need for strong religious education programs.
Prayerful
Gratitude
As
the work of the Tenth Archdiocesan Synod draws to a close and the efforts
towards implementation begin, I express once again my heartfelt gratitude to all
the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for their dedication, hard work,
and evident love for the Church during this grace-filled time.
I am grateful to all who contributed in any way to the Synod process:
those who offered insights during the consultation phase; those who helped as
organizers, facilitators and secretaries during the Synod sessions; those who
served as members and consultants on the Topical Commissions; and all those who
remembered the Synod in their prayers throughout these past two years.
In a special way, I remain extremely edified by and deeply grateful for
those who served as Members of the Synod. Their
generous sharing of time, expertise and faith made the work of the Synod
meaningful and fruitful.
Most
of all, I express profound gratitude to Almighty God for His inspiration and
guidance during this extraordinary time in the history of our Archdiocese and to
our Mother, Mary for her providential care for us.
May
Mary, the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,
Saints Peter and Paul, and our own Saint John Neumann and Saint Katharine Drexel
of Philadelphia pray for us and watch over us always.