Intervention on Day 6 Middle East Synod of Bishops

(October 16, 2010) The Eighth General Congregation of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops on day 6, was held on Friday morning in the Synod Hall in the presence of the Holy Father and of 168 Synod Fathers. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches was the President delegate on duty. During his intervention Bishop Shahan Sarkissian of Aleppo, Syria said that we must give clearer and more concrete witness of the unity of the Churches, which today is more imperative than ever for the Middle East. Mutual respect and reciprocal understanding are the foundation for Islamic-Christian dialogue and coexistence. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter Religious dialogue said that this Special Assembly represents an opportunity and a challenge to overcome unresolved conflicts in the region. Therefore we must invest more in schools and universities, which are attended by both Christians and Muslims. Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Auxiliary of Jerusalem said that formation is absolutely the greatest need of the Church in the Middle East. Agostino Borromeo, Governor General of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem said that apart from the traditional help to Churches, new strategies could also be sought with the aim of creating better living conditions in favour of Christians. Jocelyne Khoueiry, President of the Lay Movement for Women said that in our Church we must offer women, young people, couples, families, and especially disabled people, the chance to make choices in their lives that are coherent with the Gospel, and to discover their mission in the Church and in Arab and Middle Eastern society. And thus bear witness to our faith.