Amazon Synod: Pope, a year on mission in priestly formation

Francis intervention at the conclusion of the synodal assembly.  "The post-synodal exhortation is not mandatory".  "An Amazon section in the Dicastery for Integral Human Development".  The Synod must be seen in its four dimensions: cultural, ecological, social and pastoral.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "The post-synodal exhortation is not mandatory" stated  Pope Francis in Spanish during his unprepared comments at the end of the Synod for the Amazon.  But "perhaps - he added - a word from the Pope is appropriate, everything depends on the time I have to think".

In his speech, Francis announced his willingness to include in the formation process for the priesthood and in the curriculum of those who want to carry out diplomatic service in the Holy See "at least a year in misson territories".  One year, he specified, to be carried out not "at the nunciature, but at the service of a bishop in the mission territory".

Again, Francis said he wants to "open an Amazon section in the Dicastery for Integral Human Development".  Instead, he referred to the institutions of the Holy See regarding the so-called "Amazonian rite".  "The competence - he said - belongs to the Congregation for Divine Worship", and it is in that context that the "proposal necessary for inculturation" must be inserted.

As for the female diaconate, which was also much discussed at the Synod, it is a question of increasing the work of the already existing Commission which is studying the question.  "We need to reflect on what the role of women in the Church means".  "When we think of the role of women in the Church, we think only of the functional part.  But this task goes far beyond functionality ", he added, citing as an example the role of women "in the transmission of faith and culture".

Another issue to be addressed, is "the redistribution of the clergy in the same country": "There is a great lack of apostolic zeal in the clergy in the non-Amazon area, compared to the Amazon area", the Pope denounced referring to an intervention made by Card.  Filoni: "There are a large number of priests in their own country sent to the world - to the USA, to Europe - and no one to send to the Amazon areas of their own country".  Hence the great "responsibility of every episcopal conference" in forming young priests especially in "apostolic zeal".

Francis finally recommended reading the final document in its entirety, considering the global project, which for example envisages "creativity" in the new ministries.  The Synod should also be seen in its four dimensions: cultural, ecological, social and pastoral.  The first, he explained, is part of inculturation, "the enhancement of culture which is the center of the Church's tradition".  One of the pioneers "of the second, the ecological one, is Patriarch Bartholomew," the first to open this path to create this consciousness ".  "Ecological awareness is a consciousness that progresses and that denounces the compulsive violation and destruction of which the Amazon is one of the most important points.  It is a symbol.  It has to do with the future, with young people, with the Greta movement, who say: the future is ours ”.

The social dimension is centered on the "violation of the person, at all levels, and cultural destruction", and also includes "the high level of corruption", as the Pope himself denounced in Puerto Maldonado.  Finally, the fourth dimension "which includes everything is the pastoral dimension, the proclamation of the Gospel that is urgent".

• Vatican
• Synod
• Amazonia
• Pope
• Francis
• formation of priests
• mission
• female diaconate