'Spiritual nourishment' of Bible to be a synod focus, says Cardinal Levada

(Oct.01, 2008).- A renewed appreciation for the spiritual nourishment available in sacred Scripture, a shot in the arm for ecumenical dialogue, and enhanced preaching on "the word of God in Scripture" are among hopeful outcomes of the World Synod of Bishops on the Bible, a U.S. cardinal said. Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and one of three delegate presidents who will take turns presiding over the synod's daily sessions Oct. 5-26 at the Vatican, made the comments in an interview in San Francisco, with the newspaper of the archdiocese, Catholic San Francisco.
"For all the rekindling of the love for Scripture that the Second Vatican Council proposed, I would say that perhaps, we have not integrated the study and appreciation of the Bible into the daily lives of average such as the church would hope," he said. “ It would be one of our great hopes” said Cardinal Levada, "that the synod might provide a great point of connection with other Christian denominations, and stimulate a renewed dialogue toward the ecumenical efforts that we all have to continue to make - according to the prayer of Christ that all may be one." He said among other potential pastoral applications for the synod would be preaching, which the church has always employed to break open the meaning of the Scriptures for our people."
Cardinal Levada noted that he, Pope Benedict XVI and other church leaders were invited by a major Italian television network to take part in a "10 to 15-minute reading of a passage from Scripture" every day of the synod during prime time "as a contribution to helping the Bible come into people's lives."
In addition to Cardinal Levada, Pope Benedict has named as delegate presidents Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Australia, and Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Sao Paulo. The Pope himself is president of the synod.