VATICAN - Pope at the Angelus mentions the “strong experience of ecclesial communion” lived in the Synod and launches an appeal “to the tragedy that is being lived in the countries of the East, where Christians are victims of intolerance and cruel violence.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Every synodal assembly is a strong experience of ecclesial communion, but this one even more so because at the center of the attention was placed that which enlightens and guides the Church: the Word of God, which is Christ in person. And we have lived each day in a religious listening, marking all the grace and beauty of being his disciples and servants.” With these words, the Holy Father Benedict XVI recalled the importance of the Synod of Bishops, just moments after celebrating its closure with a Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica on October 26. The Pope reflected on one of the main themes discussed - “the relationship between the Word and words, that is, between the Divine Word, and the Scripture that expresses it” - and affirmed: As the Second Vatican Council teaches in the constitution 'Dei Verbum' (No. 12), a good biblical exegesis requires both the historical-critical method and the theological one, because sacred Scripture is the Word of God in human words. This implies that every text should be read keeping in mind the unity of all Scripture, the living tradition of the Church and the light of faith...Scientific exegesis and lectio divina are, therefore, both necessary and complementary for seeking, through the literal meaning, the spiritual one, which God wants to communicate to us today.”
Benedict XVI then continued, saying: “At the end of the synodal assembly, the patriarchs of the Eastern Churches have raised a call, which I make my own, to bring the attention of the international community, of religious leaders and of all men and women of good will, to the tragedy that is being lived in the countries of the East, where Christians are victims of intolerance and cruel violence, slain, threatened, and forced to abandon their homes and wander in search of refuge. I am thinking especially in this moment of Iraq and India. I am sure that the ancient and noble populations of these nations have learned, over the course of centuries of respectful coexistence, to appreciate the contribution that the small, but qualified and hardworking Christian minorities give to the growth of the common homeland. They do not ask for privileges, but only want to continue living in their nation with their countrymen, as they have always done. I ask the respective civil and religious authorities not to spare any effort so that legality and civil coexistence are again re-established and honest and loyal citizens can know that they can count on adequate protection from the institutions of the state. I also hope that the civil and religious leaders of all countries, aware of their roles as guides and reference points for the people, make significant and explicit gestures of friendship and consideration for Christian minorities or those of other religions, and that they make of the defense of their legitimate rights a question of honor.”
Lastly, the Holy Father repeated his announcement which he had already made during the Mass in Saint Peter's, on his trip to Africa, scheduled for March 2009, in which he will visit Cameroon, where he will give the bishops of the continent the "instrumentum laboris" of the synod, and then to Angola, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the evangelization of that country.
The Pope concluded by entrusting the suffering mentioned earlier, as well as the hopes that “all of us carry in our hearts,” particularly the expectation of the synod of Africa, to Most Holy Mary. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 27/10/2008)