Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The main duties of the ecclesial community in the world today - among many I underline evangelisation and ecumenism - are focused on the Word of God and at the same time are supported and justified by this Word. Like the Church's missionary activity with her evangelising work finds inspiration and purpose in the merciful revelation of the Lord, ecumenical dialogue cannot base itself on words of human wisdom or sagacious strategic expedients, it must be animated solely by continual reference to original Word which God consigned to his Church, for it to be read, interpreted and lived in her communion”. These words were part of a discourse which the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, gathered to prepare a General Ordinary Assembly, convoked for 5 to 26 October on the theme "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church".
Referring to his latest encyclical “Spe salvi” on Christian experience, Benedict XVI underlined “ hope's community character” which can be applied to the synodal experience, “in which encounter becomes communion and concern for all the Churches emerges in the concerns of all”. The next Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held during the Year of St Paul, and the "testimony of this great Apostle and herald of the Word of God will be offered for the contemplation of the Church, and mainly of the Bishops. Paul, after having persecuted Him and then consecrated all his being to Him was faithful to the Lord to death: may his example encourage all to welcome the Word of salvation and follow it in daily life as faithful disciples of Christ”.
To the Word of God “the Synod Fathers will turn their hearts" and during the assembly will have the opportunity for discussion, the Holy Father concluded, “but above all to gather in collecial communion to listen to the Word of Life, which God entrusted to the loving care of his Church to that she might announce it with courage and conviction with the parresia of the Apostles, to all people near and far. Everyone in fact must be offered, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the opportunity to encounter the living Word, Jesus Christ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/1/2008; righe 44, parole 586)
