Guidelines and Year of the Homily Proposed

Ideas for Better Sermons Emerge at Synod

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A general instruction on homilies and a jubilee year dedicated to the art of preaching were two ideas that emerged from the world Synod of Bishops after several prelates voiced a concern regarding the poor quality of sermons.The theme was addressed Monday by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the archbishop of Quebec and relator-general of the synod on the Word of God, under way in Rome through the end of October."Despite [...] that the homily was made subject of the [Second Vatican Council], we still feel great lack of satisfaction on the part of many faithful with regard to the ministry of preaching," said the cardinal.

He said this "lack of satisfaction explains why many Catholics turned toward other groups and religions."Cardinal Ouellet asked how homilists could be helped to "cultivate the calling to a decision of faith" while avoiding "the tendency toward moralism."Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Canberra-Goulburn, Australia, took up the topic Tuesday with the proposal of compiling a General Homiletic Directory, along the lines of the General Catechetical Directory and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal."Such a directory would take stock of Catholic preaching as it now stands, and would do so with an eye to the history of Catholic preaching," he explained. "It would draw upon the experience and wisdom of the universal Church -- including the new communities and movements -- without stifling the genius of local churches or individual preachers."

"We need to be a good deal more systematic in teaching the 'ars predicandi' [the art of preaching] at this time, leaving less to chance or to whim; and a General Directory could help in this regard, specially in seminaries and houses of formation," he added.

Preaching Jubilee
Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, vice president of the U.S. episcopal conference, said that "preaching in our day can lose its savor, become formulaic and uninspired, leaving the hearer empty." Conversely, he said, the homily should comfort, heal, bring hope and inspire, as well as teach and challenge.The bishop proposed that after the Church concludes the Jubilee Year of St. Paul, which concludes June 29, it should initiate a year dedicated on preaching. He said it would be an opportunity for "priests and deacons with their bishop to meet with the laity to listen to their struggles and to understand better how they might preach the Word in ways that relate to those struggles.

"A year dedicated to preaching, Bishop Kicanas said, could help the "new springtime for Christianity about which the Holy Father speaks [...] burst forth and bloom throughout the Church, renewing the Church, strengthening evangelization, intensifying catechesis and enhancing discipleship."