2023-10-21 12:01:05
The detailed information of the 16th Ordinary Synod session was shared in the press conference held on the evening of the 20th of October under the leadership of Dr. Paulo Ruffini, Prefect of the Communication Dicastery and President of the Information Commission of the Synod.
Osservatore Romano, Fr. Ginu Jacob, Vatican City
The detailed information of the 16th Ordinary Synod session was shared in the press conference held on the evening of the 20th of October under the leadership of Dr. Paulo Ruffini, Prefect of the Communication Dicastery and President of the Information Commission of the Synod. Referring to the interventions in Section B3 of the Instrumentum Laboris entitled “Participation, Responsibility and Authority”, Dr. Paulo Ruffini highlighted that the Synod discussed the commitment and services of the authorities in the Church.
He also mentioned that the phrase that power is not dominance, but service has been reiterated. The members of the synod also emphasized that the people in each position should have the ability to do everything in the prescribed manner, apart from controlling everything.
One of the ideas that came up in the discussions was that the church’s compassion, love and care for the poor should be strengthened. The members of the synod called for everyone to pay attention to the cries of those who are suffering in the streets and for the conversion of conscience in the hearts of those who do evil things like arms trafficking to be possible. Dr. Paulo underlined by quoting the words of the synod members that everyone should serve the church with collective responsibility.
Secretary of the Information Commission, Dr. Sheila Pires, noted that the Synod also assessed the growing abuse of power among the laity as alleged among the priests. The synod also discussed the situations in which financial and sexual abuses have led to loss of credibility in the church. The synod also talked regarding the necessary changes to achieve more transparency in the financial structure and the financial sector. Dr. Sheila said that the synod discussed the urgency of strengthening the existing structures such as pastoral councils and the inclusion of young people in the church life.
Then the President of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe and the Episcopal Conference of Lithuania and Archbishop of Vilnius Monsignor Ginteras Gruzas also spoke. He said that despite coming from different places and different cultures, faith brings us closer together and highlighted that the basic principle of training in the church is to ‘become the church, live together and experience fellowship’.
Then C. from the Middle East. Huda Fadul also spoke regarding his personal and congregational experience. The Sister said that coming to the experience of the Synod from a distressing situation such as war, pestilence and earthquake, it is possible to recognize the great importance of unity and sharing in prayer.
The Archbishop of Tokyo also shared his experiences. The language used in meetings in Asia, where there are many languages and many realities, “is in fact the language of universal theology, even if a single solution is not valid for everyone. He points to the great service models of the Caritas organization as the greatest example of that.
President of the International Union of Superiors General and Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles, Irishwoman Sister Mary Theresa Barron, shared how her missionary experiences in Africa were embedded in the Synod. The Sister pointed out that the experience of the Synod is the same as sitting, around the table, coming together without any distinctions.
During the question and answer session that followed, the question regarding the title of female deacon was repeated once once more. In response, Sister Fadul said that the most important thing is how women and men fulfill their responsibilities in the church by accepting the Lord’s gifts.
Archbishop Grouse added that the debate on the various ministries of the Church is part of this broader exchange at the Synod. In response to a question from a Filipino journalist regarding the proposal contained in the Asian Continental Document on Hospitality and Inclusion in the Church, Archbishop of Tokyo Monsignor Terchizio reiterated the proposal in minor circles.
He said that just as in the Eastern tradition of showing hospitality to that person by removing a Alex Reed’s shoes before entering a home, so should the congregation follow multicultural etiquette to be inclusive.
Monsignor Gruzas said that those who are curious regarding the decisions of the Synod should understand that the processes are more important than the decisions. Along with that, Sister Fadul also underlined that listening, sharing and discerning are the watchwords of the church.
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