The idea of better homilies — and finding ways to make them better — is emerging as a major theme from the Synod of Bishops.

Zenit reports:

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.