Ethiopian cardinal: let episcopal conferences adapt Church teachings to particular societies
August 17, 2015
An Ethiopian prelate has suggested that the Synod of Bishops should encourage episcopal conferences to adapt Church moral teachings to the circumstances of their own societies.
“The Catholic Church is a universal institution, both human and divine,” Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel of Addis Ababa, explained to the Catholic Register. “It is not a European Church, it is not a Canadian Church or a US Church. It’s different. The issues families are facing in some parts of the world would be different than in other parts of the world.”
The cardinal went on to say that while questions such as divorce and remarriage of homosexual unions are very important to Catholics in Europe and North America, they are not major issues in Africa. “For us in Ethiopia, the big issue will be poverty,” he said.
The cardinal said that episcopal conferences should not change Church teachings, but ensure that they are adapted to the particular situations of their countries. He said that the Synod might suggest: “Let us allow the conferences to come up with suggestions.”
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Aug. 18, 2015 11:25 AM ET USA
To eliminate poverty provide the rule of law, respect for private property, and access for all to a legal system that can enforce these. That's the political part. The cultural part is to value education, the stability of the family, cultivating an attitude of self-reliance rather than income-leveling, or worse begging for bailouts.
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Posted by: feedback -
Aug. 17, 2015 10:45 PM ET USA
This is very unusual statement from a Cardinal of the Church. It seems that he is losing his hope that the Synod would come to reasonable decisions and acceptable for the whole Catholic Church.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Aug. 17, 2015 10:13 PM ET USA
What the cardinal has in mind is to make the most efficient use of time. I am sure he does not understand why the Americans/Europeans want to waste time wringing their hands about political correctness when the disciplines about marriage are essentially unchangeable. They are non-issues for Africa. Better to spend time on weighty concerns, such as charity for the starving, sick, and materially poor. Prudential considerations to be sure, but matters that cry to heaven for resolution nonetheless.
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Posted by: MatJohn -
Aug. 17, 2015 9:25 PM ET USA
No question that poverty is a big issue in Africa and Catholic bishops should indeed focus on its abiding effect in Africa. With a continent so rich in natural resources, why is there not a single African country that shows its rulers have overcome the corruptive tendencies that prevent real progress on that front? That's the real issue to resolve.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Aug. 17, 2015 8:00 PM ET USA
I hope the good cardinal has read Cardinal Newman's Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine.
