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Skriven 2007-05-02 06:45:56 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

PUBLICATION OF "LINEAMENTA" OF SYNOD ON THE WORD OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 2007 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office at midday
today, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops,
presented the "Lineamenta" for the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops, due to be held from October 5 to 26, 2008 on the theme: "The
Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."

The "Lineamenta," a document containing the draft guidelines on the theme of
the forthcoming meeting, has been published in various languages including
English and is composed of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion.
The text includes a questionnaire relating to the themes covered, the aim of
which is to stimulate more profound reflection at all levels of the ecclesial
community. Responses must be sent to the general secretariat of the Synod of
Bishops before the end of November 2007.

The introduction makes it clear that this meeting is a continuation of the last
synodal assembly, which was held in 2005 on the theme: "The Eucharist, Source
and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church." The aim of the 2008 meeting,
the text reads, is to set forth "the intrinsic connection between the Eucharist
and the Word of God. ... This is the Synod's underlying purpose and primary
goal, namely, to fully encounter the Word of God in Jesus the Lord, present in
the Sacred Scriptures and the Eucharist."

The text of the "Lineamenta" goes on to explain that the aim of the Twelfth
Ordinary General Assembly is "to help clarify the basic truths of Revelation as
the Word of God, Divine Tradition, the Bible and the Magisterium, which prompt
and guarantee an authentic and effective living of the faith; to spark an
appreciation and deep love of Sacred Scriptures so that 'the faithful might
have easy access' to it; to renew listening to the Word of God, in the liturgy
and catechesis, specifically through 'lectio divina,' duly adapted to various
circumstances; and to offer a Word of consolation and hope to the poor of the
world."

The first chapter - entitled "Revelation, the Word of God and the Church" -
considers such matters as the human need for Revelation; Divine Tradition and
Sacred Scripture in the Church, a single sacred deposit of the Word of God; and
the demanding task of interpreting the Word of God in the Church.

"The Word of God in the life of the Church" is the title of the second chapter
of the "Lineamenta," which recalls how the Church was born and lives by the
Word of God, and how the People of God draw nourishment from the Word in
various ways: in the liturgy and in prayer, in evangelization and catechesis,
in exegesis and in theology, and in the lives of believers.

Chapter three - entitled "The Word of God in the Mission of the Church" -
highlights how the Word of God must remain accessible to everyone at all times.
"Listening to the Word of God," the text reads, "must always take into
consideration its ecumenical dimension." Moreover, the Word of God is "a light
for inter-religious dialogue" with the Jewish people and with those of other
faiths.

"A fervent listening to the Word," the document concludes, "is fundamental to a
personal encounter with God."

During today's press briefing Archbishop Eterovic, recalling the fact that the
"Lineamenta" refer to the Vatican Council II Dogmatic Constitution "Dei
Verbum," pointed out that "more than 40 years after that great conciliar
document, it is time to identify, within the Universal Church, the positive
results it has brought to the People of God, especially as concerns biblical
renewal in the fields of liturgy, theology and catechesis."

However, he went on, "unresolved and problematic aspects persist, for example
phenomena such as ignorance concerning the doctrine of the Revelation and of
the Word of God, as well as the significant detachment of many Christians from
the Bible." Archbishop Eterovic also highlighted how the forthcoming synodal
assembly "will have a prevalently pastoral goal."

Msgr. Fortunato Frezza, under-secretary of the Synod of Bishops, also present
at the press briefing, affirmed that the "Lineamenta" may be considered in the
light of "the correct interpretation of Vatican Council II, ... its proper
hermeneutics, ... its interpretation and application, as an exercise of that
hermeneutic of reform, of renewal in continuity, of the one Church which the
Lord gave to us. She grows and develops in time, yet always remains the same,
the one Church of the pilgrim People of God."
SE/LINEAMENTA/ETEROVICVIS 070427 (770)

SUMMARY

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