“As we reflect on the successful national laity conference, we anticipate continued growth and the role of the laity within the Church in India,” said Fr. Anthony Fernandes.
"A Synodal Church in Mission," capturing the essence of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops' first session, to be held from October 4–29, in Bangalore, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Our assembly took place in the context of a world in crisis, whose wounds and scandalous inequalities resonated painfully in our hearts, infusing our work with a particular gravity, especially since some of us come from countries where war rages.
Two clergymen from Asia were elected to the Synod’s Commission on Synthesis Report, the team tasked to oversee the preparation of the document that will summarize the topics discussed during the entire Synodal Assembly.
At Paul VI Hall, there were strong appeals for peace and the people suffering from war. “Reference was made to how Christians can be a sign of peace and reconciliation in a world disfigured by wars and violence," said Dr. Ruffini.
For the President of the Commission for Information of the Synodal Assembly, the Synod on Synodality this October in Rome is not only a time for dialogue but also an opportunity to pause and profoundly listen to one another.
The Holy Father on Monday lengthily responded to questions or doubts called “dubia” presented by five Cardinals, according to the website of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The Holy Father named Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, China, for the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and Cardinal Sebastian Francis, bishop of Penang, Malaysia, for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Pope Francis has published an Apostolic Exhortation building on his 2015 encyclical. “We’re not reacting enough,” he says, “we’re close to breaking point,” according to Vatican News.
Despite facing rejection, Jesus does not allow Himself “to be imprisoned by disappointment,” but instead looks to the Father, remaining “serene even in the storm,” the Pope said.
"We believe in God who loves us, and love is never a noun; it is a verb: dynamic, active. Everyone is loved by God, so everyone is 'beloved' and, hence, loving. We need to share this good news with everyone. That is our mission,” said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing.
“That is why we ask, in common prayer, to learn again to be silent: to listen to the voice of the Father, the call of Jesus and the groaning of the Spirit,” Pope Francis said.
Let us pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a style of life at every level, allowing herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the world’s peripheries.
"Responding to the call of Holy Father Pope Francis, we are committed to making Rajshahi diocese a synodal Church. Here we want to reiterate and reinforce that commitment", said Bishop Gervas.
“Everything belongs, everything is for the Lord, everyone is involved, everywhere is for the mission. This is our synodal Church, the Church walking together,” said Bishop Moises Magpantay Cuevas, during his installation as bishop.
An Asian bishop said that “triple dialogue,” which revolves around religions, cultures, and the poor, is the “lifeblood” of the Catholic Church in Malaysia.
The consultation is to articulate the attributes, criteria, and cultural expressions of synodal formation in Asia and formulate plans of action for implementing synodal formation in the various ministries of the Church in Asia.
The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) is set to organize the event "Conversations on the Synod: Overview and Opportunities," which will be held online and in person on September 14 in Rome.
