Supreme Knight to the Synod

I found the following suggestions of Carl Anderson, the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus in the United States, during an intervention as an auditor of the Synod of Bishops quite interesting. They are reported here by ZENIT.

The knight went on to make two proposals, both aimed at providing greater formation for the laity.

"We suggest that a compendium to the lectionary be developed that coordinates sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the Sunday readings in order to provide a greater richness in Sunday preaching and a greater connection between the fundamental truths of the Catholic faith and holy Scripture," he said.

Secondly, "to enhance greater formation of the laity in 'higher studies' of the Word of God […] we recommend Catholic universities enhance their core philosophy and theology requirements to include the entire New Testament with the intention of promoting a realistic and loving knowledge of the faith by encouraging, in the words of Dei Verbum, 'a pious reading of the Bible.'"

The first thought is reflected in part of the allocutio that I prepared this week, on the opening verses of St Paul's first Letter to the Thessalonians. The following are my notes trying to present the teaching contained (or implied) in these verses, which were the second reading at Mass last Sunday. You will see the references to the Compendium of the Catechism.

“Grace to you and peace”: an indication of a Christian life lived and shared in common, even though separated by distance - the Church as “communion”, common life in what is believed, in the same Sacramental life, in the same succession of bishops from the Apostles to the present day (and a common hope and charity).[1]

“..in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ …in the Holy Spirit”: an expression of belief in the Trinity, and a very Liturgical formulation - we living the Christian life here on earth are drawn in to this life of communion within the God-head

“… work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope …”: these are the three theological virtues - they have God himself as their origin, motive and direct object; they bestow on us the capacity to live in relationship with the Trinity; infused by grace, they are the foundation and energising force of our Christian moral activity (love of God above all things, and love of neighbour for the love of God)[2]

Summary: “communion” as a life shared between all Christian believers wherever (or whenever) they live, and as a life of entering into the inner Trinitarian life of God himself

[1] cf Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Qn.161.
[2] cf Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Qn 384, and 385-388.

The second suggestion - that the entire New Testament be covered in courses in philosophy and theology in Catholic universities - also strikes a chord. Following studies part-time is clearly going to be different than following them full time, and this may be part of the explanation. But, in my theology degree I only undertook detailed studied of selected books of the New Testament, and do not feel that I undertook a full and broadly based study of the New Testament. I think the Supreme Knight has a point, though clearly such study of the New Testament needs to be integrated into the wider studies of university courses.