| 28 - 24.10.2012 SUMMARY
- SMALL GROUPS: FIFTH SESSION
- INTERVENTIONS IN SCRIPTIS OF SYNODAL FATHERS
- INTERVENTIONS IN SCRIPTIS OF FRATERNAL DELEGATES
- FILM: ART AND FAITH. VIA PULCHRITUDINIS
- ENCOUNTER: LAY WITNESSES, UNIVERSAL VOCATION TO HOLINESS. NEW EVANGELIZATION
- NOTICES
- ERRATA CORRIGE
SMALL GROUPS: FIFTH SESSION
Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday October 23rd 2012, 249 Fathers were present during Session V of the Working Groups. Today, the discussion proceeds in the Working Groups (Sessions VI and VII) for the preparation of the collective Amendments (Modi) to the Propositions by each Working Group.
INTERVENTIONS IN SCRIPTIS OF SYNODAL FATHERS
The following Synod Fathers delivered their interventions in writing only:
- H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Patrick Daniel KOROMA, Bishop of Kenema, President of the Episcopal Conference (SIERRE LEONE)
- H. Em. Rev. Card. Raymond Leo BURKE, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (VATICAN CITY)
Below are the summaries of the interventions not presented in the Hall, but delivered in written format by the Synod Fathers:
- H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Patrick Daniel KOROMA, Bishop of Kenema, President of the Episcopal Conference (SIERRE LEONE)
The main purpose of this Synod, as stated in paragraph 7 of the Instrumentum Laboris, is to respond to the phenomenon of detachment from faith, especially in those countries where, for centuries, the Christian faith has contributed to the unbuilding of culture and society (Instrumentum Laboris, 7).
The phenomenon of detachment of faith also present in the much younger Churches like ours, Sierra Leone and the Gambia. This may be due to a number of reasons:- Lack of an integrated catechesis that establishes dialogue between the Christian Gospel and the faith response to it. For instance, for many of our faithful, tribal or ethnic affiliation and the solidarity it engenders are much stronger than their sense of belonging or loyalty to the Church (in virtue of baptism) and its hierarchy. This is the root of the embarrassing situations in some parts of Africa where priests appointed by the Holy Father as Bishops are rejected on the grounds that they are from another tribe/ethnic group or region
- The religious and cultural beliefs of the people evangelized.
- Little knowledge of the social teachings of the church to look up solely to Jesus Christ and his Gospel for guidance in their social life of politics and business and in times of crisis.
- Mixing African religious practices, superstition and the Church's sacraments and sacramental. We did not look for solutions for this problem of detachment from the faith. But I suggest the following:
- We should not overlook the importance of an integrated, life-centred catechesis that takes into account the life situation, especially the religio-cultural experiences, of the people being evangelized or instructed in the Christian faith.
- Include peace, justice, reconciliation and good governance
Lastly we should give ample recognition to the role of the Holy Spirit in the dynamic of faith. The Holy Spirit should be given greater prominence in all our efforts towards new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith.
[00340-02.03] [IS006] [Original text: English]
- H. Em. Rev. Card. Raymond Leo BURKE, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (VATICAN CITY)
The Instrumentum Laboris reminds us that witness to the Christian faith is a valid response to the pressing problems of life in every age and culture, especially because that witness overcomes the false separation existing between the Gospel and life (cf. no. 118). However, so that witness to the faith will have a place, which todays world urgently needs, cohesion is needed within the Church between life and faith.
Among the most serious wounds of society today is the separation of legal culture from its metaphysical objective, which is moral law. In recent times this separation has been much accentuated, manifesting itself as a real antinomianism, which claims to render actions which are intrinsically evil as legal, for example, abortion on demand, artificial conception of human life with the aim of carrying out experimentation on the life of a human embryo, the so-called euthanasia of those who have the right to our preferential assistance, legal recognition of same-sex unions as marriage, and the negation of the fundamental right to conscience and religious liberty.
This antinomianism embedded in civil society has unfortunately infected post-Council ecclesial life, associating itself, regrettably, with so-called cultural novelties. Excitement following the Council, linked to the establishment of a new Church which teaches freedom and love, has strongly encouraged an attitude of indifference towards Church discipline, if not even hostility. The reforms of ecclesial life which were hoped for by the Council Fathers were therefore, in a certain sense, hindered, if not betrayed.
Devoted to present-day new evangelization, we have the task of laying the foundation for awareness of the disciplinary tradition of the Church and respect of the law in the Church. An interest in the discipline of the Church is not to be equated with an idea contrary to the mission of the Church in the world, but to a correct attention to cohesively witnessing to faith in the world. This service, certainly humble, of Church Canon Law is also absolutely necessary. How indeed will we be able to witness our faith in the world if we ignore or neglect the demands of justice within the Church? Salvation of the soul, the primary goal of a new evangelization, must also always be in the Church the supreme law (can. 1752).
[00357-02.03] [IS007] [Original text: Italian]
INTERVENTIONS IN SCRIPTIS OF FRATERNAL DELEGATES
The following Fraternal Delegate only delivered his intervention in writing:
- H. Exc. GEVORG [Saroyan], Dean of "Gevorgyan Theological Faculty" (ARMENIA)
Below is the summary of the intervention not presented in the Hall, but delivered in the written form by the Fraternal Delegate:
- H. Exc. GEVORG [Saroyan], Dean of "Gevorgyan Theological Faculty" (ARMENIA)
There is a common understanding that evangelization is the mission of the Church, which reflects her nature and goal.
When we talk about the new evangelization we suggest a borderline between old and new, and we divide them. To talk about a new way of doing something implies that the old way does not work any more, or has some disadvantages which need to be reconsidered. This is the literary explanation of the idea new and old.
It is obvious that the Christian churches are going through difficulties in our modem world, especially in Europe. Although these difficulties have a contextual nature, at some point they are common for all Christian traditions.
Evangelization is in crisis, the number of practicing Christians is not growing. People are in search of spirituality and they always will be, but the Church at some points fails to provide an environment where people can come together in the name of Christ. My understanding is that it is a matter of trust.
For all times it is helpful for the mission of the Church to make efforts to find new ways of evangelization to carry out its mission faithfully. I am convinced that this conference also will contribute to that, especially the different voices that can help us to understand the situation more fully, to look at it from a different perspective, and enhance each other with our experiences.
As for anything new we should look at the tradition of the Church as a source of faith and theology, in this case we can also opt for the new evangelization.
I want to draw your attention to the fact that there is something very expressive in the evangelization of the early Church practices which always needs to be considered. I am convinced that one of the helpful ways to overcome the crisis is for the Church to restore the Christ like image of the Christian community.
I believe this can be accomplished if the Church has a willingness to be self-critical of herself, and open to listen.
The important step that needs to be taken is to restore the image of the priest, who lives according to the Word of God. The Church should be very strict about the ordination rite. Faith and practice should come first and complement each other. The priest should serve as a model of Christian life, but the institutional Church must create an appropriate environment, where faith can be practiced faithfully, in a radically orthodox way.
[00286-02.03] [DF008] [Original text: English] FILM: ART AND FAITH. VIA PULCHRITUDINIS
The documentary film ART AND FAITH. Via Pulchritudinis will be shown in the presence of the Holy Father Benedict XVI tomorrow, Thursday 25 October 2012 at 6pm in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. The film was made by the Polish television company TBA for the Governatorate of Vatican City State, Vatican Museums Section.
This preview showing, at which will participate the Synodal Fathers and the other Participants at the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, takes its place in an increasingly rich and varied context of celebration: the Year of Faith, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council II (1962) and the 500th of the Vault of the Sistine Chapel, unveiled and handed over by Michelangelo to Pope Julius II on 30th October 1512.
This film aims to provide a tour in a Christian key of the beauty to be found in the Papal collections and the pictorial masterpieces of the Sistine. It is also intended to adopt the words of the Supreme Pontiff who, defining the Museums as a a concentration of theology in images, underlined its cultural and spiritual mission: The Museum truly shows a continuous interlinking between Christianity and culture, between faith and art, between the divine and the human.
According to the curators, following the Via Pulchritudinis, the Way of Beauty, it is possible to go through the door of faith; in order that this itinerary should not be a privilege for only a few, it is important that the images, with the human narration that accompanies them, reach the widest possible audience.
The DVD, which sums up in 70 minutes a story in images of 2000 years of the story of the Church and art, will be available from November throughout the world in multilanguage versions (Italian, Polish, English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese and Chinese).
[0036202.004 [NNNNN] [Original text: Italian]
ENCOUNTER: LAY WITNESSES, UNIVERSAL VOCATION TO HOLINESS. NEW EVANGELIZATION
Lay witnesses. Universal vocation to holiness. New Evangelization. These will be the topics addressed by some of the Participants at the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops during the encounter next Tuesday, October 23rd 2012, at the See of the Italian Catholic Action in Rome, Via della Conciliazione 1.
The appointment is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and promoted by the FIAC, the International Forum of Catholic Action, by the Italian Catholic Action, by the Royal Missionary Institute, with the Foundation Catholic Action School of Sanctity - Pius XI.
The program foresees a moment of prayer at the beginning, led by His. Exc. Rev. Msgr. Domenico Sigalini, Bishop of Palestrina, General Assistant of the ACI and Ecclesiastic Assistant of the FIAC.
The introduction is entrusted to Barbara Pandolfi, Representative of the Royal Missionary Institute. The following Synodal Fathers will intervene: His. Exc. Rev. Msgr. Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and Vice President of the Commission for the Message, and Enzo Bianchi, Prior of the Monastery of Bose and Expert at this Synodal Assembly. Before the conclusion, entrusted to Franco Milano, National President of the ACI and Auditor, the lives of some witnesses will be presented.
[00344-02.03] [NNNNN] [Original text: Italian]
NOTICES
- BRIEFING
BRIEFING
On Thursday October 25th 2012, the usual Briefings for the Language Groups are foreseen as follows below. The Press Attaches will be accompanied by a Synodal Father or an Expert, according to the list below:
Italian language group (start 1:00 pm.)
- H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Filippo SANTORO, Archbishop of Taranto (ITALY)
English language group (start 12:30 am.)
- Rev. F. Adolfo NICOLÁS PACHÓN, S.I., Superior General of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
- Rev. Sister Sara BUTLER, M.S.B.T., Professor at the Ecclesiastic Faculty, University "St. Mary of the Lake", Mundelein; Member of the International Theological Commission (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA), Collaborator of Secretary Special (Expert)
French language group (start 1:00 pm.)
- H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Olivier SCHMITTHAEUSLER, M.E.P., Titular Bishop of Catabum castra, Vicar Apostolic of Phnom-Penh (CAMBODIA)
Spanish language group (start 1:00 pm.)
- H. Em. Rev. Card. Antonio CAÑIZARES LLOVERA, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (VATICAN CITY)
German language group (start 3:00 pm.)
- H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Robert ZOLLITSCH, Archbishop of Freiburg im Breisgau, President of the Episcopal Conference (GERMANY)
- H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Franz-Josef Hermann BODE, Bishop of Osnabrück (GERMANY)
- H. Exc. Rev. Mons. Franz-Peter TEBARTZ-VAN ELST, Bishop of Limburg (GERMANY)
ERRATA CORRIGE
The corrections published in the Errata Corrige in Bulletin No.28 can be found in the specific Bulletins published in these Internet pages. |
