Abp. Kurtz: Synod was “Characterized by Discernment and Unanimity”

[McCall1981]

catholicworldreport.com/Item/3469/abp_kurtz_synod_was_characterized_by_discernment_and_unanimity.aspx

Abp. Kurtz: Synod was “Characterized by Discernment and Unanimity”

Jim Graves, October 24, 2014

The president of the USCCB discusses the synod, the “relatio,” and the work that lies ahead.

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, was an active participant in this month’s Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.” The synod’s purpose was to examine challenges to the family today, and ultimately to develop a more effective pastoral approach for the Church in addressing those challenges.

In addition to speaking out in defense of the unborn, Archbishop Kurtz has been a vocal supporter of the traditional family against legal recognition of same-sex marriage. During the two-week-long synod, he also received media attention, giving interviews as well as participating in an English-language briefing for reporters.

He recently spoke with CWR.

CWR: When the synod’s mid-term document (the “Relatio”) was released, many faithful Catholics were concerned that some in Church leadership were trying to change Church teaching in regards to homosexuality and same-sex marriage. What reassurance would you offer to those who had such concerns?

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz: I take the Holy Father at his word that this synod process is not taking on doctrine, but reaching out in creative and pastoral ways to families where they are at to help them. We want to do this while proclaiming our time-honored teachings of our Church.

I think in the end, the [final] synod document was well-grounded in theology and Scripture. We look forward now to the very fruitful period between now and the synod next October.

(Read the rest there)

 

[LongingSoul]

Abp. Kurtz - “It was privilege to be with the Holy Father for two weeks; he was engaging and affable. When I hear him speak, I am reminded of Jesus looking with pity upon people, with a great heart of compassion for people who suffer. The Holy Father really captures the wonderful compassion of Jesus in his words, mannerisms and even the way he greets people.”

I hope that some day I can experience the presence of Pope Francis. I had the privilege of being about 5 feet from St JPII when he came to Australia in 1985. He was palpably radiant with Gods love.

 

[One_point]

I do admit when you read the Pope’s sermons or speeches directly (not quotes) one cannot help but sense they are full of an otherworldly “goodness” to them, I cant explain. they are wholesome and they just touch, is all I can say. It impossible for me not to be edified. I don’t know why our holy father has chosen to be silent. it baffles me. But who knows. it may be because he is a saint and I am not. Saints tend to see things in their own puzzling ways. maybe he just doesn’t get what all the hullabaloo is about which is typical (of saints) but I cannot deny God in the last century has granted the church saints for Popes in a continuous stream tis a gift because this world has a watcheful eye all the time unlike in centuries past when popes lead scandalizing lives keeping prostitutes fathering children accepting slaves and most catholics had not an idea. I am trying my best to trust the Holy Spirit and pray and let go. but is hard.

 

[Seraphim73]

I had the privilege of being about 5 feet from St JPII when he came to Australia in 1985. He was palpably radiant with Gods love.

I’ve had a similar experience once. When you are standing in the presence of a saint you know it, trust me.

 

[One_point]

I’ve had a similar experience once. When you are standing in the presence of a saint you know it, trust me.

Which saint was this? Please share. I love hearing stories of such encounters. I once knew a priest in my teens who I am completely convinced is a saint. He never did any miracles except the miracle of the mass with humility. I don’t know to explain but there is just something there. I also heard the story of a conversion of someone who went into church and saw a priest praying the hours. the priest was a saint. just that encounter converted him. there were no words but he knew there was something there. I wish we could all be saints.

 

[Seraphim73]

Which saint was this? Please share. I love hearing stories of such encounters. I once knew a priest in my teens who I am completely convinced is a saint. He never did any miracles except the miracle of the mass with humility. I don’t know to explain but there is just something there. I also heard the story of a conversion of someone who went into church and saw a priest praying the hours. the priest was a saint. just that encounter converted him. there were no words but he knew there was something there. I wish we could all be saints.

It was an Orthodox bishop Dmitri. He is not officially canonized yet but he is highly venerated and certainly will be one day. He is well on the path to being canonized. It’s hard to describe but you can just feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It filled the entire church. “Acquire the Spirit of peace and thousands around you will be saved.” I understand that now.

 

[One_point]

It was an Orthodox bishop Dmitri. He is not officially canonized yet but he is highly venerated and certainly will be one day. He is well on the path to being canonized. It’s hard to describe but you can just feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It filled the entire church. “Acquire the Spirit of peace and thousands around you will be saved.” I understand that now.

God is good!!! If we were all this way, the whole world would be Christian. I look forward to his canonization.

 

[LongingSoul]

I’ve had a similar experience once. When you are standing in the presence of a saint you know it, trust me.

My cousin met Mother Teresa in Calcutta once. It’s amazing and unique to have been in the presence of a Saint. Most of the Saints were canonized well after everyone of their contempories had passed on.

I’m even more desirous of the Church to declare John Paul II a Doctor of the Church or at least a modern Father of the Church. His writings need to have that authority to give the new evangelisation its proper wings in my opinion!

 

[Seraphim73]

God is good!!! If we were all this way, the whole world would be Christian. I look forward to his canonization.

Thank you for showing interest in a man I love very much.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[One_point]

Thank you for telling me about him. I love saints! Especially those from modern times, near enough for me to touch. Here ii meet someone who has encountered a real live saint makes it tangible and real more than reading them in a book. The nearer the better.

Thank you for showing interest in a man I love very much.

He has that peaceful countenance I have seen in some pictures of saints. Once he is canonized I shall sure inundate him with my prayers asking him to help me be better than I am. He wil not mind that I am not orthodox because saints are generous

 

[Seraphim73]

Thank you for telling me about him. I love saints! Especially those from modern times, near enough for me to touch. Here ii meet someone who has encountered a real live saint makes it tangible and real more than reading them in a book. The nearer the better.

He has that peaceful countenance I have seen in some pictures of saints. Once he is canonized I shall sure inundate him with my prayers asking him to help me be better than I am. He wil not mind that I am not orthodox because saints are generous

St John Paul is the reason I’m a Christian now. A little personal but I think Catholics might appreciate it. I was in rehab for alcohol abuse when I watched his passing away. It had such a profound effect on me. Honestly it offends me when I hear people criticize his canonization. All you had to do was look at the man to see the holiness.

 

[Tigg]

St John Paul is the reason I’m a Christian now. A little personal but I think Catholics might appreciate it. I was in rehab for alcohol abuse when I watched his passing away. It had such a profound effect on me. Honestly it offends me when I hear people criticize his canonization. All you had to do was look at the man to see the holiness.

We attended WYD in Denver in '93. I have to admit his presence was quite profound, but it was even more than that. One could discern the power of the Church as he moved about and I write those words because that was what appeared authentic to me. After the closing Mass he was taken away by helicopter, but a short time later, it appeared above us and began circling the crowd. No one moved, except to take out white hankies and kleenex to wave above their heads. I looked around in astonishment as many people (me included) had tears streaming down their cheeks. I had a friend who knew of someone in security who said the pilot had been instructed to fly away immediately, but this pope insisted on blessing the crowd from the helicopter to show his love for God’s people. It was quite an extraordinary experience.

Getting back to topic, I pray Archbsp Kurtz is right and despite many suspicions and the unsettling nature of this synod that reports are now saying let Pope Francis down, I must absolutely cling to this and take it at face value: “He began the synod by offering us wonderful exhortations, encouraging us to be open to the discernment of the Holy Spirit.” With an entire year ahead of us to pray, I beg everyone to do just that.

 

[LongingSoul]

St John Paul is the reason I’m a Christian now. A little personal but I think Catholics might appreciate it. I was in rehab for alcohol abuse when I watched his passing away. It had such a profound effect on me. Honestly it offends me when I hear people criticize his canonization. All you had to do was look at the man to see the holiness.

To be blessed so thoroughly is certainly a powerful soul mover. In 1985, I’d volunteered to be an usher at the public mass JPII was saying in one of our big sports stadiums. I had been slightly disappointed to realise that in my role I was required to man one of the entrances at the back of the stadium throughout the Mass which meant I could only get glimpses of the Mass through the stands. Then when all was said and done and we was in his car ready to leave, all the ushers and other attendents were asked to come down to the barriers around the field and then JPII’s car proceeded to drive around the whole perimeter about 5 feet away from us all. It was the best moment. The whole crowd was on their feet cheering and waving and there was I, looking right into his beaming, shining face.