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II SPECIAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS

4-25 OCTOBER 2009

[Updated: 03.10.2009]


 

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION
FOR ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS

1. Topic

The Holy Father Benedict XVI has convoked the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in the Vatican from Sunday 4 to Sunday 25 October 2009, on the topic:

- La Chiesa in Africa a servizio della riconciliazione, della giustizia e della pace.
"Voi siete il sale della terra ... Voi siete la luce del mondo" (Mt 5, 13.14)
- The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.
"You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world" (Mt 5:13,14)

- L'Église en Afrique au service de la réconciliation, de la justice et de la paix.
"Vous êtes le sel de la terre ... Vous êtes la lumière du monde" (Mt 5, 13.14)
- La Iglesia en África al servicio de la reconciliación, de la justicia y de la paz.
"Vosotros sois la sal de la tierra ... Vosotros sois la luz del mundo" (Mt 5, 13.14)
- Die Kirche in Afrika im Dienst von Versöhnung, Gerechtigkeit und Frieden.
"Ihr seid das Salz der Erde … Ihr seid das Licht der Welt" (Mt 5,13.14)
- A Igreja em África ao serviço da reconciliação, da justiça e da paz.
"Vós sois o sal da terra ... Vós sois a luz do mundo" (Mt 5, 13.14)


2. Accreditation for reporters

2.1. Requests are accepted for temporary accreditation by reporters who are not permanently accredited with the Holy See Press Office and intend to cover the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

2.2. To obtain temporary accreditation it is necessary to present the following:
● Application form issued by the Holy See Press Office and available in Logistical Information area of the Internet site of the Holy See (http://www.vatican.va).
● Letter of request for temporary accreditation to the Holy See Press Office by the Management of the news organization represented, which requests accreditation to cover the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops (04-25.10.2009) and attests that the applicant is a professional journalist; and, must agree to respect the ethical norms of the journalistic profession, in particular those concerning embargo.
● Photocopy of the valid passport or other legal identity document.
● Photocopy of press-card (for those who come from countries where this exists).
● No. 1 recent passport-size photograph in color and signed on the back (in case of consignment through e-mail: file in JPG format), for those who have not been accredited during the last two years with the Holy See Press Office.

2.3. The above-mentioned documentation is to be sent to:

Holy See Press Office
Accreditation Office
via della Conciliazione, 54
SCV-00120 VATICAN CITY STATE
Telephone: +39-06-698.921
Telefax: +39-06-698.85178
E-mail:
accreditamenti@pressva.va
[this E-mail address is reserved exclusively for sending information, photographs, etc. in electronic form regarding the accreditation procedure]

2.4. Reporters who are non-residents of Rome are asked to transmit copy of the letter mentioned at point 2.2. to the Episcopal Conference of their country of residence.

2.5. The Accreditation Officie of the Holy See Press Office is open, Monday to Friday from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

2.6. Incomplete applications or those that are not in conformity with the above-mentioned conditions will not be taken into consideration.

2.7. Temporary accreditation badges will be available from Thursday 1 October 2009.
2.8. All accredited journalists (reporters, still photographers and TV operators) are kindly requested to visibly wear their accreditation badge. This applies also to permanently accredited journalists.

in 3. Accreditation for still photographers and TV operators

Still photographers and TV operators are asked to address their requests to:

Pontifical Council for Social Communications
Audiovisual Service
via della Conciliazione, 5
SCV-00120 VATICAN CITY STATE
Telephone: +39-06-698.91830
Telefax: +39-06-698.91841
E-mail:
av@pccs.va
Internet: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/pccs/av-pccs/Accreditamento_AV_en.htm

4. Opening hours of the Holy See Press Office

4.1. During the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, the Holy See Press Office will observe the following opening hours, from 2 to 25 October 2009:

● Friday 2 October: 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
● Saturday 3 October: 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
● Sunday 4 October: 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
● From Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October: 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
● Saturday 10 October: 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
● Sunday 11 October: 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
● Monday 12 October: 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
● Tuesday 13 October: 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
● From Wednesday 14 October to Saturday 17 October: 9.00 a.m. to 16.00 p.m.
● Sunday 18 October: 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
● From Monday 19 October to Saturday 24 October: 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
● Sunday 25 October: 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

4.2. The staff of the Information and Accreditation Desk (to the right of the entrance hall) will be available:

● Monday-Friday: 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
● Saturday 9.00: a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

4.3. Notice of any changes will be communicated as soon as possible and will be posted on the bulletin board in the Journalists’ Area of the Holy See Press Office, published in the Bulletin of the Commission for information of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops and in the Logistical Information area of the Internet site of the Holy See (http://www.vatican.va).

5. Briefings for language groups


5.1. In order to provide more accurate information on the work of the Synod, four language groups have been organized for the accredited journalists.

5.2. The location for the briefings and the name of the press attaché for each of the language groups are as follows:

Italian language group
Press attaché: Rev. Msg. Giorgio COSTANTINO
Location: Journalists’ Room, Holy See Press Office

English language group
Press attaché: Mr Festus Abdul TARAWALIE
Location: John Paul II Conference Hall, Holy See Press Office

French language group
Press attaché: Rev. Msgr Mons. Joseph Bato’ora BALLONG WEN MEWUDA
Location: Telecommunications Room, Holy See Press Office

Portuguese language group
Press attaché: Ms. Maria Dulce ARAÚJO ÉVORA
Location: "Blu" Room, First Level, Holy See Press Office

5.3. On the days listed below, a briefing by the press attachés is scheduled at 1.10 p.m., indicatively, for each language group:

● 1. Tuesday 6 October 2009
● 2. Wednesday 7 October 2009
● 3. Thursday 8 October 2009
● 4. Friday 9 October 2009
● 5. Saturday 10 October 2009
● 6. Monday 12 October 2009
● 7. Tuesday 13 October 2009
● 8. Thursday 15 October 2009
● 9. Saturday 17 October 2009
● 10. Tuesday 20 October 2009

5.4. On some occasions the Press Attaches will be accompanied by a Synodal Father or by an Expert.

5.5. The names of the participants and any changes in the above dates and times will be communicated as early as possible.

6. Press Conferences

6.1. At the occasion of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops there will be 4 press conferences, which will take place at 12.45 p.m., indicatively, in the John Paul II Conference Hall of the Holy See Press Office (with simultaneous translation in Italian, English, French and Portuguese), and are open to accredited reporters (still photographers and TV operators are subject to pool arrangements and have only limited access):

●Monday 5 October 2009 (following the Relatio ante disceptationem)
●Wednesday 14 October 2009 (following the Relatio post disceptationem)
●Friday 23 October 2009 (following the Nuntius)
●Saturday 24 October 2009 (following the Elenchus finalis propositio­num)

6.2. The names of the participants and any changes in the above dates and times will be communicated as early as possible through the Bulletin of the Commission for information of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops and the Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office.

6.3. On Friday 2 October 2009, at 11.30 a.m. in the John Paul II Conference Hall of the Holy See Press Office, His Ecc. Msgr. Nikola Eterovi
ć, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, will hold a briefing in order to furnish information on the significance and the course of events of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

7. Pools

7.1. On the days listed below, pools of accredited journalists will have access to the Synod Hall, scheduled for the opening prayer of the morning General Congregations:

● 1. Tuesday 6 October 2009
● 2. Thursday 8 October 2009
● 3. Friday 9 October 2009
● 4. Saturday 10 October 2009
● 5. Monday 12 October 2009
● 6. Tuesday 13 October 2009
● 7. Thursday 15 October 2009
● 8. Saturday 17 October 2009
● 9. Tuesday 20 October 2009
● 10. Friday 23 October 2009
● 11. Saturday 24 October 2009

7.2. Registration lists for the pools will be made available to reporters at the Information and Accreditation Desk of the Holy See Press Office (to the right of the entrance hall).

7.3. For the pools still photographers and TV operators are requested to apply to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (see point 3).

7.4. The participants of the pools are requested to meet at 8.30 a.m. in the Press Sector which is located outside, in front of the entrance to the Paul VI Hall. From there they will be accompanied at all times by an official of the Holy See Press Office (for reporters) and by an official of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (for still photographers and TV camera teams). Suitable dress is required.

8. Bulletin Synodus Episcoporum

8.1. The Bulletin of the Commission for information of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, entitled Synodus Episcoporum and published by the Holy See Press Office, will be issued in 6 language editions (plurilingual, Italian, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese), with 2 issues each day (morning and afternoon), or according to necessity.

8.2. The morning issue will be published at the conclusion of the morning General Congregation, and the afternoon issue the following morning.

8.3. Distribution to accredited journalists will take place in the Journalists’ Room of the Holy See Press Office.
8.4. The plurilingual edition will contain summaries of the interventions by synod fathers, as prepared by themselves in their own languages. The other 5 editions will report the respective versions in Italian, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

8.5. The first two issues of the Bulletin will be published on Friday 2 October 2009. The first issue will contain the complete and updated list of all the synod fathers and other participants. The second issue will contain the working program and general information on the Synod.

8.6. The third issue of the Bulletin will contain the Holy Father’s homily for the solemn opening and Concelebration of Holy Mass on the morning of Sunday 4 October 2009 (it will be available to accredited journalists when the Holy See Press Office opens, under embargo).

8.7. The fourth issue of the Bulletin will contain the reports which will be presented in the First General Congregation of the morning of Monday 5 October 2009 (which will be transmitted live on TV in the Holy See Press Office).

8.8. The language editions of the Bulletin will also be available on the Holy See Internet site:

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/sinodo_index_en.htm

8.9. Please note that the Bulletin of the Synod of Bishops is only a working instrument for journalistic use and that the translations from the original are not official.

9. Telecommunications

9.1. E-mail service (Journalists’ Room)

In the Journalists’ Room some PC are available with Internet connection free of charge, to send E-mail messages and to consult a personal E-mail account.

9.2. WI-FI

The Holy See Press Office (as also the Loggia di Carlo Magno and St. Peters Square) are hot-spot, access points to the wireless network for Internet wireless transmissions. Those who have a properly equipped laptop computer for wireless navigation through WI-FI and are in possession of the User ID and Password for log-in assigned by their provider, can use this service provided by Telecom Italia.

10. Telephone news-bulletin

During the period of the Synod, a telephone news-bulletin will be in operation:

● +39-06-698.19 for the ordinary daily Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office;
● +39-06-698.84051 for the Bulletin of the Synod of Bishops - morning session;
● +39-06-698.84877 for the Bulletin of the Synod of Bishops - afternoon session.

11. Photographic service

During the period of the Synod, photographic services will be furnished by:

L’Osservatore Romano
Photographic Service
via del Pellegrino
SCV-00120 VATICAN CITY STATE
Telephone: +39-06-698.84797
Telefax: +39-06-698.84998
E-mail: photo@ossrom.va


12. Video service

During the period of the Synod, video services will be furnished by:

Vatican Television Centre
via del Pellegrino
SCV-00120 VATICAN CITY STATE
Telephone: +39-06-698.85233/85467
Telefax: +39-06-698.85192
E-mail: ctv@ctv.va


13. Live TV coverage

13.1. The following events will be transmitted live on the TV monitors in the Telecommunications Room, in the Journalists’ Room and in the John Paul II Conference Hall of the Holy See Press Office:

● Sunday 4 October 2009 (9.30 am): Solemn opening ceremony with Concelebration of the Holy Mass (Saint Peter’s Basilica)
● Monday 5 October 2009 (9.00 am): Part of the First General Congregation during which the Report of the Secretary General and the Relatio ante disceptationem are presented
● Saturday 10 October 2009 (6.00 pm): Recitation of the Rosary with the students of the Universities in Rome (Paul VI Hall)
● Sunday 11 October (10.00 am): Solemn Eucharistic Concelebration with Canonization (Saint Peter’s Basilica)
● Wednesday 13 October 2009 (9.00 am): Part of the General Congregation during which the Relatio post disceptatio­nem is presented
● Sunday 25 October 2009 (9.30 am): Solemn Concelebration of the Holy Mass at the conclusion of the Synod (Saint Peter’s Basilica).

13.2. Eventual updates will be published as soon as possible.

14. Program

14.1. The working program of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops will be published in the N. 2 of the Bulletin of the Commission for information of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops of 2 October 2009.

14.2. Any updates will be published as they are available.

15. Other information

15.1. The preparatory documents for the (Instrumentum laboris and Lineamenta) may be consulted on the Holy See Internet site:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/index_en.htm

15.2. Other information regarding dispositions for accredited journalists will be announced as soon as possible, published in the Bulletin of the Commission for information of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.
 


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