Participants at the Synod of Bishops currently being held in the Vatican pray together for the serious situation in the Middle East. In a briefing from the Holy See Press Room, the topics discussed at the General Assembly yesterday afternoon were presented. Today, the report of the group discussion on “Inclusion” in the second period of the Working Paper will be presented. In the afternoon it was a pilgrimage to the crypt.
(Vatican News Network) The sixth press briefing held on the afternoon of October 12 introduced the latest developments of the Synod of Bishops. Middle East, Ukraine, Iraq, Africa: prayers for peace unite the Church around the world. Discussions involving 343 members the previous afternoon highlighted the urgency of working together in interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
The power of prayer for peace
Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, first gave testimony at the briefing. Callan, who is Arab, Christian-Catholic, has Israeli citizenship and is of Palestinian descent, said this morning’s prayer at the Synod was “a very strong moment” and that “my heart has been broken since the outbreak of the war.” Just torn apart, I wondered what the hell I was doing here at the Synod. It was a very profound moment to pray with everyone.”
Magalida Kalam said peace requires a lot of effort, but “the power of prayer is crucial.” “This experience taught me what walking together is, what dialogue is, what it is to allow oneself to be challenged by others, and that walking together is not just a method, it must become a way of life in the Church: listening with respect Others, transcending differences of opinion.” Responding to questions from journalists, the president of the Focolare Ecumenical Movement called on the international community to act together in order to restart negotiations and make the urgency of resolving the conflict felt: “Everyone’s commitment is needed to promote respect for human rights and the relationship between people. reconciliation.”
Africa walks with colleagues
Andrew Nkea Fuanya, Archbishop of Bamenda, Cameroon and President of the country’s Bishops’ Conference, said in his speech: “Walking together is already a part of African culture. In our Church, we are together like a family. work”. He added: “This Synod is a great relief for Africa, because sometimes we feel abandoned, but praying together with the universal Church gives us the courage that our continent can stay at the Synod Seal.” Regarding war, the bishop firmly stated: “War is never the solution.”
The gospel brings languages together
Sister Caroline Jarjis, a doctor at the Baghdad Health Center and a Daughter of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, feels like a family at the Synod. That morning, she recited the Gospel with other attendees in her own language, Arabic, and was overwhelmed by how her words were understood by everyone. “God is present in the work we do in the Synod,” said the nun. “He chose us and prepared us before we came to Rome. Together we experience everything that the early Christian communities shared.” Sister Caroline’s eyes convey hope, even as she makes no secret of the traces of two decades of suffering in her country. “I come from a war-torn country where Christians are a minority but the wealth of our church comes from our martyrs.”
Pilgrimage to the Christian Crypt
In the afternoon, participants of the Synod of Bishops were invited to make a pilgrimage to the Crypt of St. Bastion, the Cryptozoology of St. Calisto and the Crypto of St. Domitila. It is famous for the relics of Paul and Paul. The next morning, after the Mass presided over by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu at the throne altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, the eighth plenary meeting will be held to discuss the theme of the third period of the Working Document: “Together Taking on a mission, how to share the grace and task of serving the gospel”. At the same time, the discussion on the theme of “Community” in the second period has ended.
The theme of the seventh plenary session
Yesterday 343 members attended the meeting, 36 of whom spoke. Topics of presentations included: interreligious and intercultural dialogue, the impact of colonialism on indigenous groups, the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and listening to the desires of young people and engaging them in an encounter with Jesus. In this context, Archbishop Nkeia of Cameroon shared at the briefing the experience of his diocese. In this Eucharistic Year, each parish has prepared a long-term chapel for Holy Communion.
Also at the heart of the Synod’s work is Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her care for the sick, the urgency of Catholic leaders’ commitment to promoting peace, the tragedy of marginalized women on the margins, and the need for inclusion and listening in the life of the Church.
Synod and the Blessed Virgin Mary
Finally, Paolo Ruffini, Chairman of the Information Committee and Prefect of the Dicastery for Communications, reminded everyone that today is the feast day of Our Lady of Aparecida and Our Lady of the Holy Column. “This morning,” he said, “we emphasize the image of Mary as a Fellow Church. Mary is Mother, layperson, prophetic, dialogue, charism, holiness and the living Gospel. .”
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2023-10-13 07:22:12
