Reflecting on the present

In the second presentation of the National Assembly, the NFPC heard from Rev. R.B MacDonald, a priest of the Diocese of Antigonish who is eminently qualified and waxes eloquently about the declarations of the Second Vatican Eccumenical Council (1962-1965).

Fr. R.B. as he is known to friends and collegues presented reflections on the priesthood as it was explained in the documents of the Council, especially

• the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium,
• the Decree on the Life and Ministry of Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis, and
• the Decree concerning the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church Christus Dominus

Father MacDonald was studying in Rome during the time of the Vatican Council and therefore was afforded a rare opportunity to visit the Council chambers during the deliberations, and to have insights into the behind-the-scenes developments which were otherwise perhaps unknown to much of the wider world. His insights shed a new light on the subject especially for those of us who are not so far along the journey of life.

Having examined the question of priesthood yesterday and today, we will turn our attention tomorrow to the priesthood of the future. In the meanwhile, we are taking advantage of wonderful weather to visit some of the tourist attractions on Cape Breton.