CV NEWS FEED // The bishop of Owensboro, Kentucky this month published a synthesis document of the Diocese’s synodal discussion, in which he observes a “universal hunger for greater clarity from church leaders on Church teachings,” especially after the publication of “Fiducia Supplicans.”
Bishop William F. Medley published the “Synthesis of Synodal Listening in the Interim Phase – In the Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky” on April 3.
“There were several points we heard expressed at each one of the listening sessions and seem to be in general the issues weighing most on people’s minds and hearts,” Bishop Medley wrote.
One of the listed points reads: “There is a universal hunger for greater clarity from church leaders on Church teachings.”
In the specific section of the synthesis about the faithfuls’ areas of frustration and concern, the Bishop wrote: “At each of the five listening sessions, frustration was expressed about the lack of clarity from church leadership, citing especially Pope Francis.”
In the listening sessions, Bishop Medley said that the faithful described Pope Francis “as being ambiguous in his teaching and in his casual remarks. A plea was made for the Holy Father to ‘be direct and tell us what you actually mean.’”
The ambiguity and confusion was typically in relation to the document Fiducia Supplicans about blessings for same-sex couples, which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith issued on Dec. 18.
Bishop Medley wrote that the lay people at the synodal listening sessions experienced confusion as the document “was perceived to be an approval for the blessing of same sex unions.”
Lay people also look to priests in the diocese for help, guidance, and clarification on issues such as transgenderism and same-sex marriage.
Because of this, the priests “expressed a desire for guidance from church leaders on these issues – specifically from both Pope Francis and the local Bishop,” wrote Bishop Medley.
The Bishop quoted one unnamed priest, who said: “A lack of clear statements from those in positions of authority in the church leaves people feeling confused and afraid.”
Another priest, also unnamed, said, “As pastors we would welcome more of the church’s formal guidance on sensitive issues including transgender people and their presence in parish life.”
Near the end of the synthesis document, the Bishop noted that “there was nothing particularly surprising in what we heard,” but wrote that the discussions were fruitful.
“We heard multiple times that people were grateful for the opportunity to use their voice and to be a part of the synodal process,” the Bishop concluded:
It was wonderful to be able to point out to participants that much of what was heard in the Diocese of Owensboro last year was also heard at the October Synod meeting in Rome.
There seems to be a cautious hopefulness that the synodal process is working and will result in positive change and a greater dynamism in the faith.
