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Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

THE EUCHARIST, FONT OF CHRISTIAN MORALITY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2005 (VIS) - Given below is a synopsis of the
"Instrumentum laboris" (working document) for the Eleventh Ordinary General
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled to be held in the Vatican from
October 2 to 23, 2005 on the theme: "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the
Life and Mission of the Church."

The Instrumentum laboris is made up of a preface, an introduction, four
sections each divided into two chapters, and a conclusion. It was drawn up on
the basis of responses to the "Lineamenta" sent by the secretariat of the Synod
of Bishops to episcopal conferences, Eastern Catholic Churches, dicasteries of
the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General.

"The question of great pastoral concern, episcopal responsibility and prophetic
vision is to see how (the) rich patrimony of faith can be implemented in the
Catholic Church ... in the initial years of the third millennium of
Christianity and beyond," says the preface, adding: "This document then is
principally concentrated on the positive aspects of the celebration of the
Eucharist which bring the faithful together and make them a community."

Part one, entitled "the Eucharist and today's world," analyses the historical
context in which the Synod is to take place, "a period marked by strong
contrasting forces within the human family." With concrete reference to the
problem of hunger in the world, the document says: "This dramatic situation is
an inescapable reality in the discussion of the synod fathers, who, like every
Christian at various times during the day, pray to the Lord: 'give us this day
our daily bread'."

Attention is then given to the situation of the Church around the world, noting
that attendance at Sunday Mass "is high in various particular Churches in the
countries of Africa and also in some Asian countries. The opposite is the case
in the majority of countries in Europe, America and Oceania."

Part two, "the faith of the Church in the mystery of the Eucharist,"
concentrates on the manner in which the Eucharistic mystery is perceived among
the faithful, highlighting how the nuances of such perception change according
to cultural context: "In those countries enjoying a general climate of peace
and prosperity - primarily western countries - many perceive the Eucharistic
mystery as simply the fulfillment of a Sunday obligation and a meal of
fellowship. Instead, in those countries experiencing wars and other
difficulties, many understand the Eucharistic mystery more fully, that is,
including its sacrificial aspect."

Space is also dedicated to deficiencies in the celebration the Eucharist which
"challenge a sense of the sacred." These include neglectfulness in the use of
correct liturgical vestments, participants wearing unbefitting clothing, or the
scant architectural and artistic quality of church buildings. However, "all
these negative realities, occurring more often in the Latin liturgy than the
liturgies of the Eastern Churches, should not lead to great alarm, since they
seem to be limited."

Part three, "the Eucharist in the life of the Church," details the correct
celebration of Mass, from the opening rites to the conclusion and the
significance of liturgical norms, described as "guides for entering into
mystery."

The fourth and final part of the document concerns "the Eucharist in the
mission of the Church." It emphasizes the Eucharist's importance as the "font
of Christian morality," recalling that it "has always empowered the choices and
the ethical and moral behavior of believers." In this context the document
discusses the Eucharist's association with peace, unity and ecumenism as well
as with such questions as inculturation and intercommunion.
SE/INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS/EUCHARIST VIS 050707 (600)

SUMMARY

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