Synod of Bishops Interventions

 Dr Cherian ANIYANKUNJU, Public Relation Officer of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry of the Syro-Malabar, spoke of the family as a unit for the proclamation of the word of God. He said that the Council teaches that parents are the prime teachers of faith to their children. It is they who are to introduce the Word of God to their children. The first and foremost thing is to develop a sense of reverence towards the Word of God. This is to be taught at the stage of infancy which only the parents can do. From his personal experience as the head of a family, he felt that the Liturgy of Hours is an effective way to familiarize with the Scriptures and an easy means to pray using the Word of God. He added that special theological, liturgical and biblical training given to the laity is very important. Abbot Michel Jorrot, Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Clervaux, said that Listening to the word of God is necessary and the listener allows himself to be modelled internally by the thoughts of God. He added that the word Amen involves, Abba, Memorial, explanation and nourishment. Lectio Divina is not for monks alone but for the universal church. Sr. Janice Soluk, Superior General of the Handmaids of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Immaculate, spoke of their struggle in Ukraine under the communist regime and till the council did not have a bible in vernacular. She told of the devotion and reverence that the people had for the word of God and how they read it kneeling down with candles lit and with the altar decorated. Sr. Apollinaris Shimura Yuriko of Japan said that the first task of religious persons who live and work in Japan is to make the Proclamation of the Word of God. This is done through the witness of life, different works of charity, among which teaching is particularly useful.