(Bishop of Mbarara, Uganda)
1. The Practice and Promotion of Justice and Witnessing to Poverty.
a) The appeal of the Synod of November 1971 on Justice in the world is referred to. Ordained ministers should not only preach justice but also practice it and give witness to a life of poverty and simple living.
b) Africa is crying out for political
justice and future priests need to be aware of this. A question is raised
as to whether the provision of can. 287 could be applied more in Africa,
so that priests can be more active in using legitimate political means
to influence society.
2. More involvement and sharing
of lay people in the Priest’s ministry.
Would Catechists be allowed to administer
Anointing of the sick, especially as they are nearest to them? Could they
witness at marriages also? Can. 1112.
3. Proven leadership in the local
community before leadership in the Church.
The training of priest in the local
community and the evaluation of candidates by the local community where
they work should be taken seriously. A number of priests are not good leaders
and yet are put at the head of communities and they feel ill at ease. To
remedy this, candidates for priesthood be approved first by community,
before being ordained.
4. The role of the local community
in deciding on who should or should not stay in active ministry.
The local community, with guidelines
of the Episcopal Conferences, should be allowed to decide on who is or
is no longer fit to remain in active ministry — without having to refer
to Rome; then Rome could be informed of the decisions of the local Churches.
Original
text: English
