From: Ouko joachim omolo
Voices of Justice for Peace
Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012

The Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization is ending tomorrow with no clear solution to the role of women in the church. The proposal to allow women to be officially installed in the ministry of lector became a hot debate when the issue was raised in Proposition 17 on “The ministry of the word and women.

When it came for the time to vote it passed with 191 votes in favor, 45 opposed and three abstentions. Those in favor wanted the ministry of lector be opened also to women, so that their role as proclaimers of the word may be recognized in the Christian community.

Given that the Vatican has always been reluctant to act whenever the issue of women is raised, what Pope Benedict XVI will do with that proposal is unclear since his hands are tied. In 2008 when the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God voted to recommend allowing women to be officially installed as lectors, to date the idea is still under consideration.

The issue here is not whether women can act as lectors or Scripture readers in Catholic liturgies. They already do so all over the world, including at papal Masses. The question is whether women can be officially installed in such a ministry.

Even though canon law states clearly that only qualified lay men can be “installed on a stable basis in the ministries of lector and acolyte, at the same time, canon law does allow for “temporary deputation” as lector to both men and women, which is why women routinely appear as lectors.

These challenges call for a process of discernment, which can also serve as a way of responding to the current situation with greater courage and responsibility. Some of these challenges include liturgy, catechesis and works of charity and how, in the process of transmission, the faith needs to be professed, celebrated, lived and prayed.

This is because the Christian faith is not simply teachings, wise sayings, a code of morality or a tradition. The Christian faith is a true encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ. Transmitting the faith means to create in every place and time the conditions which lead to this encounter between the person and Jesus Christ.

The goal of all evangelization therefore, is to create the possibility for this encounter, which is, at one and the same time, intimate, personal, public and communal. In such an encounter, we feel an attraction which leads to our transformation, causing us to see new dimensions to who we are and making us partakers of divine life.

The new evangelization must focus on the way Jesus treated people. He was able to welcome everyone, without distinction, and never exclude anyone: first, the poor, then the rich like Zacchaeus and Joseph of Arimathea; outsiders like the centurion and the Syro-Phoenician woman; the righteous, like Nathanael; and prostitutes and public sinners with whom he also sat at table.

To emphasize this fact, Jesus drew especially near to those on the margins of society, giving them special favour, when he proclaimed the Gospel. At the beginning of his ministry, he proclaimed that he was sent to preach the good news to the poor (cf. Lk 4:18).

To those despised and dejected, Jesus declares: “Blessed are you poor” (Lk 6:20) and, by standing with them, enables these individuals already to experience a sense of freedom (cf. Lk 5:30; 15:2). He eats with them, treats them as brothers and sisters and as friends (cf. Lk 7:34) and helps them to feel loved by God, thus revealing his great compassion for sinners and those in need.

According to many responses, the new evangelization can devote work in this area to leading Christian communities to be less concentrated on themselves inwardly in the midst of the changes already taking place and more engaged in proclaiming the faith to others. Open to everyone in every place on the globe, to the Christian faith and an experience of the Church, especially in liturgical celebrations, the dispensation of the sacraments, catechesis and the catechumenate.

This is very important given that the structure of the catechumenate, with reference Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum, is an apt means for renewing the manner in which children are initiated into the faith. This calls for the new approach on catechesis and the sacrament of reconciliation.

Bishop Shlemon Warduni, Chaldean auxiliary bishop of Baghdad, Iraq, in his reflection to the reading at their morning prayer posed challenges to this endeavors. He pointed out that there are many who know the faith but are not participating in the life of the church. They are at best Sunday observers.

New evangelization he said seeks to bring Sunday Catholics to be disciples, a new gesture carried out by a humble church, a church that needs to ask forgiveness for ways the church has harmed people, a church that needs to seek forgiveness.

These challenges call for new ardor, new methods, new expressions, preaching the Word in a new culture. We need to look at three moments in the process of conversion: that of proclamation, of catechesis, and of ongoing formation.

Need to take into consideration the diverse circumstances of nations around the world as we strive to realize a new evangelization. Varied cultures require varied approaches. Evangelization should lead to an encounter with Jesus Christ. We need to contemplate the face of Christ.

The possibility of having a stable office of catechist and admitting women to the ministry of reader, although some felt this would not be a good direction. We need to work to overcome our divisions.

Need to give attention and vigilance to the growth of Islam. It is possible to give Christian witness even in Islamic communities. The new evangelization is not only a program but a commitment to live our faith more fully.

Evangelization has to be understood in a broad and profound theological/doctrinal framework reminding us that the new evangelization is not just a bunch of programs but needs to be grounded in the faith, the activity of word and sacrament emphasizing the primacy of God’s grace.

There is a need for all Catholics to awaken their faith and to be inspired to witness that faith and share it with others. Each culture and society needs to find ways for this to happen in the circumstances of their society.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
People for Peace in Africa
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com

Peaceful world is the greatest heritage
That this generation can give to the generations To come- All of us have a role.