Georg Gänswein: "Benedict XVI prays for the universal Church".What is the communion of saints? The Pope explainsWhich priests do we need? To form missionary pastorsOn Monday morning, April 12, the Press Conference for the presentation of the International Theological Symposium entitled "For a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood", organized by the Congregation for Bishops, to be held in Rome from February 17 to 19, 2022, was held live from the Holy See Press Office.
Among the speakers at the press conference were His Eminence Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops; Prof. Vincent Siret, Rector of the Pontifical French Seminary in Rome, in remote connection; and Prof. Michelina Tenace, Professor of Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Extending the reflection initiated
"A theological symposium," Cardinal Ouellet stated during his address, "does not pretend to offer practical solutions to all the Church's pastoral and missionary problems, but it can help us to deepen the foundation of the Church's mission. The understanding of Divine Revelation on the priesthood of Christ and the Church's participation in this priesthood is a crucial question for our time".
The understanding of Divine Revelation on the priesthood of Christ and the Church's participation in this priesthood is a crucial issue for our time.
Marc OuelletPrefect of the Congregation for the Bishops
Ouellet assured that during "the synods on the family, on youth and on the Church in Amazonia, the questions concerning the priesthood and synodality were raised in all their magnitude, insisting on the reality of baptism, the basis of all vocations. The time has come to prolong the reflection and to promote a vocations movement that facilitates the sharing of the various ecclesial experiences throughout the world.
Professor Michelina Tecina summarized some of the topics that will be discussed during the Symposium: the importance of ordained ministers, the theology of vocation, the question of celibacy, the relationship with the sacred...
The days of the Symposium
Professor Vincent Siret, Rector of the Pontifical French Seminary in Rome, presented the Symposium in a more concrete way. The days are divided in such a way as to address the different themes. Each half-day is presided over by a cardinal. The day of February 17 is entitled "Tradition and New Horizons" and will be presided over in the morning by Cardinal Ouellet and in the afternoon by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.
The presentations on February 18 will be grouped around the trio "Trinity, Mission, Sacramentality". The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will preside in the morning and the Congregation for Catholic Education in the afternoon.
On Saturday 19, Holy Mass will be presided over in the morning by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, in St. Peter's Basilica. Then, the work will gather under the themes "Celibacy, Charism, Spirituality", under the presidency of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the morning and, in the afternoon, that of the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life. Pope Francis will speak that same afternoon to give some impetus to the mission of the participants.
