Amazon rain forest and basin
Never before in the history of the Papacy have we concentrated so intensely on a region of the world than we are now doing on that major section of South America called the Amazon. The very word to us in North America connotes visions of dense jungles and rain forests, abundant wild life of birds, crawly things, reptiles and primitive peoples. Yet, our Holy Father having lived his life in South America, with a particular sensitivity to those on the "margins" of humanity, has drawn our attention to the dignity of peoples living there and to the crisis of their fundamental spiritual needs.
To those Catholics in that essential region of the world that provides such needed benefit to the world's climate there may be some hope that will come about through the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Amazon this October 6 - 27 in Rome. In right style, after the call of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis has courageously turned over the decision making and direction to local Bishop's synods to hash out the realities and needs and solutions submitted for final implementation by the Holy Father on the local situation and proposed solutions.
In a region of the Catholic world, rarely thought of, there may well be a controversial consideration implemented on a case by case basis. That is the ordination of local "married men of proven virtue" to the Catholic priesthood, older men mostly, who will be able to provide for the sacramental needs of the local population: regular gatherings for Mass, anointing of the sick, hearing of confessions, preaching the word and developing a way in which the local population can experience, at least in their culture, what much of the rest of the world does not: regular contact with a priest and the opportunity for a more meaningful, and Catholic, way of life. True, the Amazon is not the only region of the world in which there is a significant shortage of priests such as in parts of Alaska and northern Canada. On the other hand, by contrast, I was speaking to a local seminarian last week from southern California who stated that in his Diocese they typically have 2-3 priests in each parish!
The article referenced here is a very good example of the Holy Spirit perhaps nudging the Church and its shepherds to not sacrifice the Eucharist in a status quo solution but rather to boldly put out into deep water and trust in the Lord's continued call.
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