Brazilian bishop wants to ordain married community elders as priest shortage grows
By Benjamin Soloway BELEM, Brazil – The largest Roman Catholic geographical district in Brazil, located deep in the Amazon along the Xingu River, has more than 800 Catholic congregations but only 27 …More
By Benjamin Soloway
BELEM, Brazil – The largest Roman Catholic geographical district in Brazil, located deep in the Amazon along the Xingu River, has more than 800 Catholic congregations but only 27 priests.
Bishop Erwin Krautler, prelate of Xingu, has argued that the situation calls for drastic measures. In April, he took his case to the Vatican, where he met with Pope Francis. Recently, Krautler and Cardinal Claudio Hummes, a friend of Pope Francis, presented the idea of ordaining married community elders to Brazil’s National Conference of Bishops, which is now in the process of forming a commission to delve deeper into the matter.
Krautler said he counted himself among a group of bishops, mostly in the developing world, who see the ordination of such elders as a potential solution for the countless rural congregations that cannot receive the sacraments, including Communion, marriage, and baptism.
“The situation of Xingu is not an exceptional situation,” Krautler said. “All of the …More
BELEM, Brazil – The largest Roman Catholic geographical district in Brazil, located deep in the Amazon along the Xingu River, has more than 800 Catholic congregations but only 27 priests.
Bishop Erwin Krautler, prelate of Xingu, has argued that the situation calls for drastic measures. In April, he took his case to the Vatican, where he met with Pope Francis. Recently, Krautler and Cardinal Claudio Hummes, a friend of Pope Francis, presented the idea of ordaining married community elders to Brazil’s National Conference of Bishops, which is now in the process of forming a commission to delve deeper into the matter.
Krautler said he counted himself among a group of bishops, mostly in the developing world, who see the ordination of such elders as a potential solution for the countless rural congregations that cannot receive the sacraments, including Communion, marriage, and baptism.
“The situation of Xingu is not an exceptional situation,” Krautler said. “All of the …More
Why doesn't the Pope accept the fact that there are many priests ,whom he rejects, that would change the entire picture for the better. Why is he so stubborn in accepting the TRADITIONAL priests to work in his vineyard. He can "cow-tow" to every other heretical species, as he has done of late, but he can not see the Catholic Priest who has remained faithful to the Teachings since the First Pentecost …More
Why doesn't the Pope accept the fact that there are many priests ,whom he rejects, that would change the entire picture for the better. Why is he so stubborn in accepting the TRADITIONAL priests to work in his vineyard. He can "cow-tow" to every other heretical species, as he has done of late, but he can not see the Catholic Priest who has remained faithful to the Teachings since the First Pentecost Sunday!
Deo Gratias for Tradition!!!!!
Deo Gratias for Tradition!!!!!