PRESENTATION OF THE SCHEME OF THE MESSAGE

16 October 2010

At the opening of the Tenth General Congregation intervened, the President of the Commission for the Message H. Exc. Mons. Cyrille Salim BUSTROS, S.M.S.P., Archbishop of Newton of the Greek-Melkites (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) and the Vice President H. Exc. Mons. William Hanna SHOMALI, Titular Bishop of Lydda, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem of the Latins (JERUSALEM) , for the reading in french of the draft of the Message (Nuntius), drawn in french and arabe.

At Synodal assemblies, it has been the practice to publish a Nuntius (Message) addressed to the People of God, particularly to the various categories of persons directly associated with the Synod’s topic. Pastoral in nature, the Nuntius’ purpose is to encourage the People of God to respond faithfully to their proper vocation, and to praise them for the efforts already being made.

DISCUSSION ON THE SCHEME OF THE MESSAGE
Then, a discussion took place on the draft of the Message, presented by the President of the Commission for the preparation of the Message.

After noting the observations of the Assembly during the discussion in the Hall, the Commission for the Message prepares the definitive text which is later submitted to the Assembly for its approval. The definitive text of the Nuntius is published at the end of the synod’s work and is reported in the different linguistic edition of the Synodus Episcoporum Bullettin.

SUFFRAGATIO PRO CONSILIO
After the break, the first vote in electronic form took place for the election of the Members of the Special Council for the Middle East of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

In the same way as in the Ordinary General Assembly, at the end of the Special Assembly a Special Council of the General Secretariat is constituted. Like the Ordinary Councils, it is formed of Members elected by the Special Assembly, with added Members nominated by the Roman Pontiff.

The election of the Members takes place by secret ballot and becomes legally binding when, the void votes having been subtracted, an absolute majority of voters is in favor, or, after the first unresolved ballot, a relative majority is obtained at the second. If the votes are equal, C.I.C., can. 119, 1st applies.

The Members of the Special Council of the Secretary General hold office for a period of five years, at the end of which the Roman Pontiff will decide on the extension of the council and confirm this or the substitution of its Members.

The Council of the Secretary General will collaborate with Secretary General in giving advice for carrying out what has been proposed by the Synod and approved by the Roman Pontiff, and on other questions assigned to it by the Roman Pontiff.

The Members of the Council of the Secretary General are called together twice a year by the Secretary General as well as on any other occasion when, in the judgment of the Roman Pontiff, it is opportune.