Cardinal Marc Ouellet presented the upcoming Vatican symposium on vocations and charisms, scheduled for April 15 to 17, emphasizing that synodality requires rediscovering a sacramental dimension rather than functioning as a mere bureaucratic task, vaticannews.va reported. Ouellet, the emeritus prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, spoke on Oct. 1. He stated, La sinodalità non è solo concepire un modo inclusivo di organizzare le comunità ecclesiali, ma è un modo di sentire la Chiesa riscoprendo una dimensione sacramentale finora non abbastanza evidenziata
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Vatican Symposium on Vocations and Charisms Set for April
The International Symposium titled “Vocations and Charisms. Theology of Gifts for a Missionary and Synodal Church” will take place in Vatican City from April 15 to 17. Leone XIV will inaugurate the academic event with an opening address. The Centre de recherche et d’anthropologie des vocations (CRAV), an organization established in 2020 following the Amazon Synod at the encouragement of Pope Francis, is organizing the three-day gathering. The center was created after theologians identified a need to study the priesthood to improve harmony between laity, consecrated persons, and pastors.
Cardinal Ouellet Outlines Theology of Gifts
During a press briefing at the Dicastery for Communication in dialogue with editorial director Andrea Tornielli, Cardinal Ouellet stated that the Church has previously leaned too heavily on sociological aspects of synodality while neglecting the foundational role of the Holy Spirit’s gifts. The symposium sessions will examine biblical, anthropological, and historical foundations of charisms, along with the theology of God’s gifts since Vatican II and missionary vocational pastoral care. Ouellet noted that charisms are co-essential to the hierarchical structure and the faithful, serving to place God at the center of ecclesial life rather than reducing vocations to social services. He argued that the Eucharist must be viewed in this light to avoid it becoming a moral obligation, and warned that consecrated life risks losing its focus on God, which can damage fraternal relationships. He added that the Church lacks a contemplative vision of its identity.
Ouellet Addresses Abuse Prevention After Court Ruling Clears Him
Symposium sessions will also address psychological perspectives on deviance prevention and safeguarding within church contexts. Commenting on Leone XIV’s apostolic journey to France, Ouellet described the meeting with victims of clerical sexual abuse in Lourdes as a “balm of peace.” Concluding the press conference one month after a Superior Court of Québec ruling cleared him of false sexual violence allegations, Ouellet expressed gratitude to the justice system of his home country for removing all doubts and protecting church credibility in combating abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Symposium
Who is organizing the Vocations and Charisms symposium?
The Centre de recherche et d’anthropologie des vocations (CRAV), founded in 2020 after the Synod on Amazonia, is organizing the academic event.
When and where will the event take place?
The symposium is scheduled for April 15 to 17 in Vatican City, with an opening address delivered by Leone XIV.
What specific topics will the academic sessions cover?
The three-day program will focus on biblical, anthropological, and historical foundations of charisms, the theology of God’s gifts since Vatican II, and missionary vocational pastoral care, alongside psychological perspectives on deviance prevention.
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