Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Synods always constitute an intense ecclesial experience, an experience of pastoral collegial responsibility...It is important to emphasize that it is not a matter of a study group, nor a programmatic assembly. Communications and speeches are heard in the hall, there is discussion in groups, but we all know that we are not the protagonists: it is the Lord, his Holy Spirit, who guides the Church.” This was what the Holy Father Benedict XVI said before reciting the Angelus with faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square on October 4, shortly after the opening of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa. “The most important thing, for everyone, is listening: listening to each other and, everyone, listening to what the Lord wants to tell us. Thus the Synod takes place in a climate of faith and prayer, in religious obedience to the Word of God. It is the place of the Successor of Peter to convoke and guide the Synodal assembly, gather together what emerges from the work and then offer the opportune pastoral instructions,” the Pope said.
Before reciting the Angelus, the Pontiff recalled how John Paul II had been the first to call for the first “African Synod” in 1994: “He, who with his missionary zeal was so many times a pilgrim on African soil, gathered together the contents that emerged from that meeting in the apostolic exhortation 'Ecclesia in Africa,' re-launching the evangelization of the continent. 15 years later this new assembly places itself in continuity with the first one, to verify the path taken, to consider certain aspects and to examine the most recent challenges.”
Lastly, before entrusting the Blessed Virgin Mary with the sessions of the Synod, asking for her intercession to “obtain peace and development for that great and beloved continent,” the Pope once again recalled the situation on the African continent, a continent with an extraordinary human wealth, “a land fruitful with human life, but this life is unfortunately marked by such poverty and at times is tormented by terrible injustices. The Church is dedicated to overcome them with the power of the Gospel and the concrete solidarity of many charitable institutions and initiatives.”
After the Marian prayer, the Holy Father launched an appeal for the victims of the recent natural disasters: “the tsunami in the islands of Samoa and Tonga; the typhoon in the Philippines, that then hit Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; the devastating earthquake in Indonesia. These catastrophes have caused grave losses of human life, numerous missing and homeless persons and enormous material damage. I think, furthermore, of those who are suffering from the floods in Sicily, especially around Messina. I invite everyone to join me in prayer for the victims and their loved ones. I am spiritually near to those who have been displaced and to all those persons who have been tried, imploring from God the relief of their pain. I ask that these brothers and sisters do not lack our solidarity and the support of the international community.”
“At the conclusion of the Angelus of this particular Sunday in which I have opened the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, I cannot forget the conflicts that currently threaten the peace and security of the peoples of the African continent. I recent days I have followed with apprehension the grave episodes of violence that have shaken the population of Guinea. I express my condolences to the families of the victims, I invite the parties to dialogue, to reconciliation and I am certain that no efforts will be spared to arrive at an equitable and just solution.” Lastly, the Pope mentioned the recitation of the Rosary "with Africa and for Africa" which he will preside, with the special participation of young university students of Rome, on October 10 in the Paul VI Hall. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 5/10/2009)
