Inside the Vatican: Synod on the Eucharist
personal reflection I
ROME: 4th OCtober 2005 -- The Synod of Bishops, treating
the issue of the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Life and
Mission of the Church, opened with a solemn Pontifical Mass in the
Basilica of St. Peter, Rome, on Sunday, October 1. There are eight
Salesians present. A Cardinal, three Archbishops and four Bishops are
members of the Synod. A further Salesian is acting as an "expert," and
another forms part of the team that reports to the Press each day. The
Salesian representation from the Asia and Oceania region is Archbishop
Charles Bo, from Yangon, Myannmar, as is the so-called "expert,"
originally from Australia, but unfortunately recognised in all the
documents as from the USA. However, Archbishop Jala from Shillong, is
not too far away.
The first week is almost entirely dedicated to
various interventions from the members of the Synod who wish to comment
upon the Instrumentum Laboris. This can be a painful time, listening to
hours and hours of reflections - some better than others - from
Cardinals and Bishops who clearly represent amazingly different social
and religious settings - from Russia to Europe to Iran and the Far East.
The atmosphere is extremely friendly, helped by the
almost permanent presence of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, who has
recovered from a cold and follows each moment of the Synod with great
attention. He has already made a major personal contribution by means
of his homily at the Mass on Sunday, and a lengthy reflection on 2 Cor
13:11 on Monday morning. It was gratifying to this reporter to hear the
Holy Father focus the attention of the members of the Synod on the
Greek text!
All participants are sworn to secrecy, of course,
but Vatican secrecy can be rather leaky. Nevertheless, a few personal
reflections of human interest will certainly be within the limitations
required! It is exhausting work, but no doubt will enrich the Church's
reflection on the life-giving presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
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