Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) - “Liturgy as a Glimpse of Heaven on Earth”: on this theme taken from “Sacramentum caritatis (no. 35), was based the Congress on Sacred Liturgy in Asia, held in Colombo September 16-21, 2008. The event was organized by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and hosted by the Sri Lankan Bishops' Conference, following in the footsteps of the event held in Ghana, Africa, in July 2006 (see Fides 11/09/2008).
The event was attended by 51 delegates, 35 of whom came from the 19 Asian Bishops' Conference, in addition to members, councilors, and collaborators of the Congregation, especially from Asia. The presence of Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, religious, and laity showed the multifaceted face of the Church in Asia, which in communion with the Holy Father, is always on the quest for an ever greater fidelity to the spirit of the Sacred Liturgy.
Among the speeches presented to the Congress was that of Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, who explained the role of the Dicastery. Archbishop Malcom Ranjith, Secretary of the Dicastery, spoke on the liturgical norms in relation to inculturalization. Bishop Peter Elliot gave an overview on the teachings of Benedict XVI pertinent to the topic and Cardinal Oswald Gracias (India) spoke on the translations of liturgical texts. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil (India) gave an address on the encounter between the Gospel and culture. Archbishop Romulo Valles of Zamboanga (Philippines) described the work of the national and diocesan commissions on the liturgy, and Bishop Vianney Fernando of Kandy (Sri Lanka) spoke on the importance of liturgical studies in the seminary and other houses of formation.
There were group sessions and plenary meetings during the Congress, for general and specific discussions of various topics. The delegates drew up proposals, guidelines, and practical solutions for the Church in Asia. The Church representatives from each country presented a talk on their own National Liturgical Commission, indication their experiences, difficulties, proposals, etc. which were then open to debate, establishing a fruitful dialogue among the various countries and the Holy See. A noteworthy aspect was the spirit of collaboration between the local Churches and the Universal Church, the fruit of which was seen in the creation of the Final Document, unanimously approved by the General Assembly: “The Colombo Statement.”
The Congress, organizers said, was an important step in liturgical reform, called for by the Second Vatican Council, in the quest for effective means in promoting the appropriate forms of worship in Asia. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2008)
