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Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

ORIENTAL CHURCHES: EXAMPLE OF UNITY IN FRAGMENTED WORLD

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received
participants in the extraordinary Synod of the Syrian Catholic Church, which
has just concluded. The assembly, held in the Vatican from April 26 to 28 and
presided, in the Holy Father's name, by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio
Bertone S.D.B., was attended by His Beatitude Ignace Pierre VIII Abdel-Ahad,
Patriarch of Antioch of the Syrians, Lebanon, and thirteen other bishops.

In his talk to them, the Pope affirmed that he had called the extraordinary
assembly in order "to revive the secular ties that bind your Church to the
Apostolic See and, at the same time, to express the esteem and interest of the
Bishop of Rome for each one of you, pastors of a part of the People of God that
is not large but ancient and important."

Recalling the traditional Easter readings from the Acts of the Apostles,
Benedict XVI highlighted how they reveal the progress of the nascent Church
"which was not always easy, but was rich in apostolic fruits. From the
beginning there was no lack of external hostility and persecutions, nor of ...
tensions and contrasts within the communities themselves." Yet, "despite the
shadows and difficulties of various kinds which the first Christians had to
face, the shining light of the Church's faith in Jesus Christ has never been
extinguished."

Pope Benedict then went on to refer to John Paul II's concern for the Oriental
Churches and how the late pontiff had always invited them to "to seek unity and
reconciliation;" and he reaffirmed his own "profound conviction" that "today
too, as at the dawn of Christianity, each community is called to give a clear
witness of fraternity."

"Over these days," he went on, "you have reflected upon the means to overcome
the obstacles that hinder the normal practice of ecclesial life. You are aware
that this is necessary and even indispensable. It is required by the ministry
of the Lord Who entrusted His flock to you; it is required for the good of the
Syrian Catholic Church. It is required by the particular situation in which you
live in the Middle East and the witness that the Catholic Churches together can
give."

"At this time, Catholic communities have to face numerous challenges all over
the world" because of dangers and problems that "can obscure the values of the
Gospel. As for your own Church, the violence and conflicts suffered by a part
of the flock entrusted to you represent supplementary difficulties that further
endanger not only peaceful coexistence, but even people's lives."

"In such situations, it is important for the Syrian Catholic ecclesial
community to announce the Gospel decisively, promoting appropriate pastoral
activities to face the challenges of post-modernity, and as a shining example
of unity in a fragmented world."

The Pope concluded his talk by recalling how Vatican Council II had highlighted
that the Oriental Catholic Churches "are called to play a special role in
furthering the ecumenical journey." And he invited the members of the Synod "to
continue with enthusiasm, trust and perseverance in the missionary activity of
St. Paul, following the footsteps of St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Ephraim and
the patron saints."

After the meeting, the Pope lunched with participants in the Synod at the
Vatican's "Domus Sanctae Marthae."
AC/UNITY:RECONCILIATION/SYRIAN CATHOLIC SYNODVIS 070430 (570)

SUMMARY

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