Synod of Bishops Discuss Dialogue

VATICAN, Oct 3, 01 (CWNews.com) - As the Synod of Bishops met in a general congregation on Tuesday, October 2, the theme of the day was clearly the importance of dialogue.

Speaking to the general assembly of Synod members, a number of prelates spoke about dialogue between Rome and the individual dioceses, or among the bishops of different dioceses. Others emphasized dialogue with other religions, and with leaders of secular society.

"Today, in our globalized and pluralistic world, dialogue is a necessity," said Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Sao Paolo, Brazil. Echoing the same theme, Cardinal Francis Arinze said: "The bishop does not have a choice in the world of today." The president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue stressed that the bishop "has to keep watch over theological ideas" in the process of dialogue, and "feed his people with the rich doctrine" of the Catholic Church.

Patriarch Nerses Bedros XX of the Armenian Catholic Church saw dialogue between Rome and the dioceses as the main focus. He observed that "the local churches are not vicariates of Rome." The Armenian patriarch added: "An excessive centralization by Rome could suffocate the riches of the particular churches."

On Wednesday, October 3, the Synod fathers met for the first time in their "circuli minores," or small discussion groups. These groups are divided into linguistic groups, with three groups speaking French, two Italian, two English, one German, and three Spanish. The more detailed discussions of these groups will then be reported by to the general congregation.

The Synod also selected the prelates who will be charged with the task of editing their final message. The editing committee will be chaired by Archbishop Estanislao Karlic, the president of the Argentine bishops' conference; other members will include: Cardinals Geraldo Majella Agnelo of Sao Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, and Francis George of Chicago; Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem; Archbishops George Pell of Sydney, Cosmo Ruppi of Lecce, Italy, and Henry D'Souza of Calcutta; Bishops Olivier de Berranger of Saint-Denis, France, Amedee Grab of Switzerland, Laurent Monsengwo Pasiny of Madagascar, and Joseph Khoury of the Maronite diocese of St. Maron in Canada; and Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the Jesuit superior.

Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
3. oktober 2001