杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

The Continental Assembly in Suva has begun. For the occasion, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Mauro Grech has sent a video message saying that he is accompanying the assembly with his prayers and conveys 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 鈥渇atherly blessing鈥�.

鈥淚t is an honor and privilege that I can address the Churches in Oceania鈥�, Cardinal Grech began his video message. He noted that the nature of the Continental Assembly in Suva is 鈥渢o reflect, to discern about what the People of God are saying with regards to a synodal Church鈥�.

Word of gratitude

He thanks the Assembly participants for their work, which he says is 鈥渆nabling the whole Church to continue on that path that in so many parts of the world is renewing the vibrancy of the People of God and above all the impetus for the mission of proclaiming the Gospel that the Lord has entrusted to each one of us individually, but above all to all, together鈥�.

The Cardinal encourages the Assembly participants to grow in 鈥渢he awareness of the 鈥榳e鈥� that we are鈥� through the 鈥渟ynodal attitude that is of through dialogue, the only path along which we can grow as a Church. This requires speaking courageously and sincerely, that is, integrating truth and charity with a deep inner freedom鈥�.

Speaking, listening, openness, willingness to change

Cardinal Grech then clarified that 鈥渇rank speech鈥� is 鈥渁lways accompanied by humility in listening鈥�, an openness to newness, and the willingness to change opinions on the basis of what has been heard 鈥渇rom others in the light of the Word of God and the Church鈥檚 Magisterium鈥�.

The true protagonist is the Holy Spirit

He also encouraged them to listen to the 鈥淗oly Spirit, the true protagonist of the synodal journey, which resounds in the words of the People of God鈥�. In fact, he continued, the Spirit 鈥渨ill show us the path to follow and accompany us to follow it鈥�. He also acknowledged that there are many elements of the synodal path that have been similar, while the way each path has been organized is different, a sign, he said, 鈥渙f enrichment and vivacity. This is how the Holy Spirit really works鈥�.

These are the conditions, the Cardinal said, that will allow the Continental Assemblies to 鈥渂e what they must be 鈥� an ecclesial exercise of discernment which is based on the conviction that God is at work in the history of the world, and concretely in the events and situations that the People of God live in each continent鈥�. The conditions will enable the sharing of 鈥渢he resonances that the reading of the has elicited within each Church鈥�, the restraint from making 鈥渄ecisions to develop plans鈥�, the capacity 鈥渢o recognize what the Spirit is suggesting to the Churches of each continent鈥�. In this way, the Cardinal stated, October鈥檚 Synodal Assembly will be all the more stimulating.

The Lord calls to mission

In conclusion, the Cardinal reminded the Assembly participants in Suva that 鈥渢he voice of the Lord who calls to the common mission, to proclaim his Gospel, and bring His salvation to a wounded world that desperately needs it. Synodality works when it is oriented to the service of mission and thus bears the mark of the joy of the Gospel that fills the hearts and lives of those who encounter Jesus鈥�.

He ended by promising the participants of his prayers and a word of gratitude for their 鈥渃ommitment鈥�.