A pastoral synod by exploring doctrinal reasoning aims to extend and strengthen the practice of our encounter with the Word of God.That is the objective of the next general assembly of the synod of bishops, which will be dedicated to the theme of “The Word of God in the life and the mission of the Church”.
Today the secretary and undersecretary of the synod, Msgr. Nicola Eterovic and msgr Fortunato Frezzi presented the “Lineamenta”, in short the draft working copy of the questions regarding the issue which are presented to bishops all around the world.
Due to be held from October 5th to 26th October 2007, this assembly follows the previous session dedicated to the “Eucharist as the source and summit of the life and mission of the Church” and seeks to highlight the direct link between the Eucharist and the Word of God.
Moreover continues the document, “modern man in many ways shows that he has a great need to listen more closely to the Word of God and to speak with Him.
Today there is a growing passion within the Christian community for the Word of God, as the source of life and grace in man’s encounter with God”.
In other words, “the human person is in need of the Revelation”.
For its part, 40 years on the Church also feels the need to question itself on the fruits of the council document, “Dei Verbum”, which was dedicated to the Word.
“There have been positive results among the people of God, such as the renewal of the Bible in liturgical, theological and catechetical areas as well as the diffusion and practice of the Sacred Book”.
“But other aspects remain open and problematic. The grave phenomenon of diffused ignorance and uncertainty regarding the same doctrine of the Revelation of God’s Word; the notable distancing of many Christians from the Bible and the permanent risk of its’ incorrect use; without the truth of the Word the relativism of thought and life become increasingly insidious”.
Thus, the document underlines, while it is positive that single groups of the faithful read and interpret the Word of God, it must also be underlined that this exercise brings with it some “risks”, such as the “reductive and arbitrary interpretation, which is seen in fundamentalism”.
Questions posed to the world’s bishops occupy a large part of the 58 page document.
These questions range from the knowledge of the Word of God in countries across the world, and how this is lived by the faithful, as to what sort of initiatives are taken to “transmit the complete and integral doctrine to the single believer and the community as a whole”, to the impact that the Word of God has “on the spiritual life of the lay faithful”, “the clergy” and “consecrated people”.
Questions also address the announcing of the Gospel in an ecumenical context – underlining the particular importance of that it has in dialogue with the Jews – and the request for greater information on “experiences in dialogue based on Christian Scripture with those who posses their own sacred books”.
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