Synod of Bishops, Nomination of Members

(September 06, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI has appointed 36 members to the XII General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place from 5 to 26 October 2008 on the theme "The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church". The list includes, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Cardinal Albert Vanhoye S J, Mgr. Thomas Menamparampil Archbishop of Guwahati , Father Adolfo Nicolas SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus and Mgr. José Lai Hung-Seng , Bishop of Macau China. In accordance with the Directives given by the Synod of Bishops, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, with the approval of the Supreme Pontiff, has appointed special group of Experts. Fr. Fiorello Mascarenhas, SJ President of the Catholic Bible Institute, Mumbai, India is among the 41 experts chosen to attend the Synod of Bishops. In addition, the same Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, with the approval of the Holy Father, has appointed for the XII Ordinary General Assembly Special Observers. Dr Ponpuzhakotayil Cherian Aniyankunju from the Arcidiocese of Changanacherry of the Syro Malabar Rite, India, is among the 37 members nominated.