Synod Fathers Reflect on First Week of Deliberations, Look Forward to Second

The Post-Discussion Report summarizing the main issues discussed over the past week by bishops attending the Synod for the Churches of the Middle East was read out to the assembly Monday morning. The bishops continued their work in the afternoon, in closed-door, small group sessions.
“We must become people of the bible” – that’s the essential message behind the post discussion report. An invitation and a challenge to clergy and the faithful in the Middle East to live the Christian witness to peace, justice, communion and honesty.
The report raises the questions of the freedom of religion and of conscience, the equality of citizens before the law, and the importance of the mass media as a useful and powerful tool for communicating the Christian message. Catholic education contributes to creating citizens committed to justice, peace and solidarity.
Peace and development in the Mideast must be encouraged so that Christians will remain in the region.. By the same token, immigration of Christians towards the region, particularly from Asia and Africa, poses another pastoral challenge to the Churches.
Women, the family and young people should be supported and the role of the laity in pastoral and ecclesial life reinforced. Monastic and contemplative life should be rediscovered and a “Bank of Priests” and another for lay faithful were suggested to help fill the gaps in zones where they’re lacking.
The report calls the division of Christians a “scandal” that must be healed and the synod should help further communion and unity with the Orthodox Churches so that one day Christmas and Easter can be celebrated together.
The report adopts a two state solution for the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, rejects anti-semitism and calls for dialogue at all levels with Jews.
Muslims and Christians should treat “serenely and objectively the subjects which concern the identity of man, justice, the values of a worthy social life and of reciprocity.” It was also suggested that the dialogue not be limited to moderate currents of Islam but should also engage fundamentalists and extremists who “profoundly” affect the masses.
The report concludes with a reminder to bishops that their real job is yet to begin, in communicating what has been accomplished to the faithful back home – and implementing the Synod directives and recommendations.
Listen to our full report...