Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Responding to the request made by several Bishops from the region that reaches from Egypt to Iran, the Holy Father Benedict XVI convoked the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place October 10-24, 2010, on the theme: “The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness. 'Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul'" (Acts 4: 32). The Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic and Monsignor Fortunato Frezza, Undersecretary, presented the “Lineamenta” (Guidelines) of the Synodal Assembly in the Holy See Press Office. Every part of the Lineamenta is accompanied by a series of questions that will help the Synods of Bishops of the Catholic Eastern Churches, Bishops' Conferences, Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, Union of Major Superiors, to discuss the contents of the document.
The text of the Lineamenta is divided into three chapters, an introduction, and a conclusion. The beginning recalls the main pastoral aim of the Assembly: “to confirm and strengthen Christians in their identity through the Word of God and the sacraments and to deepen ecclesial communion among the particular Churches, so that they can bear witness to the Christian life in an authentic, joyful and winsome manner.”
The first chapter is dedicated to the Catholic Church in the Middle East. After recalling the history of the Church in the East, which dates back to the first Christian Church in Jerusalem and are characterized by apostolic zeal and a strong missionary tone, the text indicates some of the present challenges: political conflicts, freedom of religion and conscience, the presence of extremist factions of Islam, the large emigration of Christians from their countries of origin...
The second chapter concentrates on ecclesial communion. Referring to the theological nature of the communion, that has its foundation in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the document explores the question of communion within the Catholic Church, i.e. among the various Eastern Catholic Churches. There are two main signs of Catholic communion: the celebration of the Eucharist and communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of St. Peter the Apostle and visible head of the whole Church. Communion is also expressed in the relations between the bishops of the various Eastern Catholic Churches, and the faithful among each other, and is manifested in everyday life. The document covers specific aspects of communion among Christians as enrollment in schools and institutions of higher education, the opportunity to receive assistance from institutions of charitable institutions like hospitals, orphanages, retirement homes, etc.. An important and practical aspect is the attendance of the faithful in other Catholic churches in the region.
The third chapter, the longest, is devoted to the Christian witness within the Church and outside her. Dialogue with other Churches and Christian communities exists, but it needs to be increased. Dialogue with Judaism is the peculiarity of the Churches of Jerusalem, however, it is conditioned by the political situation that opposes the Palestinians and Arab world to the State of Israel. Relations with Muslims occupy a significant part of the Document. To improve the situation, we need to promote more dialogue to know each other better as well, and encourage objective presentation of Christianity and Islam.
The conclusions once more pose the reasons not so much from a political viewpoint as from a vision of faith, which is why it is essential that Christians remain in the Middle East and continue to offer their specific contribution to building a just, peaceful, and prosperous society. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 21/01/2010)
