Synod expresses solidarity with Syria

(Oct. 10, 2012)The Synod of Bishops continues in the Vatican on the theme “The new Evangelization for the transmission of the Faith”. Wednesday, the third day of the Synod which concludes 28^th October, the 262 Synodal Fathers met for the first time in small language groups for discussions.
A day earlier on Tuesday, the Synod Fathers opened the morning session in the presence of Pope Benedict with an appeal for peace in Syria and prayers for the victims of the conflict. They also spoke of the exploitation of migrants, whose main treasure, they said - is the faith they bring with them wherever they go in the world, thus becoming real evangelizers. The Church therefore, must support and protect them from discrimination in society by helping them integrate without depriving them of their identity.
Next the Synod Fathers called for an examination of conscience in the way we live and witness to the faith, making a strong call for the Sacrament of Penance which they said has almost disappeared in some regions of the world. Another strong appeal made by the Synod was for new humility of the Church, saying it must not close itself in ecclesial debates but know how to propose the gospel with humility in a world that has lost the presence of God. The Synod spoke also of the importance of avoiding a recurrence of scandals in the priesthood and to confront the educational crises, saying one cannot evangelize well, if one does not educate properly.
The other reflections of the Synod Fathers called for the consecration of the world to the Holy Spirit and to look to Mary as the first example of a lay woman of the new evangelization. The Synod’s Tuesday session concluded with talks by Lutheran delegate - Simo Peura, and special guest Lamar Vest, President of the American Bible Society. Vest spoke of the grandeur and freshness of the Bible that remains the same despite the changing world.