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Skriven 2005-01-17 11:19:48 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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              The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                        Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

WITNESSING TO UNITY OF THE FAITH IN DIVERSE SOCIAL CONTEXTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 11, 2005 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today welcomed 150
participants in the inter-eparchal synod and the Italo-Albanian eparchies in
Italy, together with Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the
Congregation for the Oriental Churches, as they meet in Rome on the theme
"Communion and Proclaiming the Gospel."

The Pope remarked that this theme is "very current for your two eparchies and
for the exarchal monastery of Grottaferrata. Heirs of a common spiritual
patrimony, your ecclesial realities are called to witness to the unity of the
same faith in diverse social contexts."

He added that the synod "has accented essential themes such as catechesis and
mystagogy with a view to an appropriate spiritual growth of the entire People
of God. You have also looked at theological and ascetical paths for the
preparation of clergy and members of institutes of consecrated life. ... It is
your intention to prepare a solid formation rooted in the Oriental tradition
and aimed at responding in an effective manner to the growing challenges of
secularization."

The Holy Father pointed to the beauty of the Byzantine rite, the Eucharistic
prayers and celebration of the sacraments, adding that "the entire liturgy and
divine worship, so rich in hymns, is a strong vehicle of catechesis for the
entire Christian people.

"I encourage you," he said, "to pursue your contacts, thanks to common
liturgical tradition, with the Orthodox Churches, who are also anxious to give
glory to the One God and Savior. May the Almighty Lord ... grant all believers
in Christ to fully live unity in the same faith. For this I pray and ask the
Lord that your synod will contribute to favoring a renewed proclamation of the
Gospel in your communities as well as a vigorous ecumenical thrust."
AC/INTEREPARCHIAL SYNOD/DAOUDVIS 050111 (300)

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