Outline of 2008 bishops' synod released

(April 27, 2007) The Vatican on Friday released a document outlining the various issues the world’s catholic bishops will be dealing with in Rome in 2008 when they discuss the Word of God. Pope Benedict XVI last year announced that the 12^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held from Oct. 5-26, 2008 on the theme, "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church." The lineamenta, the Latin for “outline” is a synthesis of feedback from bishops conferences, eastern rite Catholic Churches, Vatican departments and heads of religious congregations from around the world on the various aspects, challenges and solutions regarding the theme of the synod. While presenting the lineamenta at a press conference in the Vatican, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops said that the Word of God and the Eucharist (the theme of the 2005 synod) are the two essential parts of the Holy Mass; hence, the 2008 synod will discuss the Word of God without however disregarding its vital link with the Eucharist. The synod’s preparatory document reminds all that Christianity is not a religion based on a book but on the Word of God that became flesh in Jesus Christ. Hence in comparing the Bible with other sacred scriptures, one should watch out against falling into syncretism that results in superficiality and distortion of the truth. The document also asserts the purity of the interpretation of the Word of God by the Catholic Church as against Christian sects who also interpret the Bible for other purposes.