Synod of Bishops on the Word of God

(October 17, 2008) Father Adolfo Nicolas SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus in his written intervention at the Synod of Bishops in Rome said that every time we "enter" the World of the Bible, we are exposed to a New World: God's World; God's action; God's teaching of his people. The encounter, if real, can be shocking, surprising, enlightening, soothing or consoling. lt can also be misunderstood and lost. He added that the Holy Scriptures is such a precious gift from God and has a high degree a ''therapeutic'' role in the life of the Christian community. It means that Pastors and Ministers of the Word need training for good diagnosis, for wise application of forms of reading, for deeper prayer and interiorization of the Word of God, and for a meaningful accompaniment that helps the faithful discern the action of the Spirit in and through the reading of the Bible.
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Archbishop Major of Ernakulam-Angamaly India, said that Proclaiming the Gospel is the raison d'être of the Church and her mission." This is true not only of the Universal Church, but also of the individual Churches. Every individual Church exists for proclaiming the Gospel, through her unique and rich heritage or patrimony of liturgy, theology, spirituality and discipline. It is the right of all the faithful of the Oriental Churches to have pastoral care by their own bishops and priests throughout the world is recognized by the Second Vatican Council. But the Syro-Malabar Church is neither given new mission territories in India, Africa, etc., nor the freedom to exercise her right to give pastoral care by her own bishops and priests. It is not enough to proclaim the Word of God in its authenticity, but must be lived by the people.
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches said that Constant personal and community commitment in favour of all Biblical initiatives in the academic field, such as in ordinary Catholic education and making the daily pastoral an act of obedience to the Word, are to be encouraged in attachment to the Word. The Word of God will always lead us to the Sacrament, especially the Holy Eucharist, from which springs forth ecclesial communion. Thus the Word of God becomes an ecumenical and inter-religious path; a path for cultural dialogue with those who do not recognize themselves in any religion