Synod of Bishops - Rome 2008
5 October to 26 October 2008, Vatican City
Sunday 5 October marks the start of the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The Synod will begin with a Mass, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls - the first time a Synod of Bishops will be open in a basilica other than St. Peter's.
Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, explained that this was because the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly is being held during the Year of St Paul.
Theme
The Synod's theme is "The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church".
Who's representing the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales?
Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool
Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham
Instrumentum Laboris
The Instrumentum Laboris is the 'working document' of the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The document is split into three parts:
- The Mystery of God who Speaks to us
- The Word of God in the Life of the Church
- The Word of God in the Mission of the Church
Click to read the full Instrumentum Laboris document
From the document:
The Synod’s Purpose
The Synod intends to treat the topic of the Word with which "the invisible God (cf. Col 1;15, 1 Tim 1:17), out of the abundance of his love, speaks to men as friends (cf. Ex. 33:11; Jn 15:14-15) and lives among them (cf. Bar 3:38), so that he may invite and take them into fellowship with himself" (DV 2).
This task implies hearing and loving the Word of the Lord in such a way as to be applicable to the real-life situations of people today. The Word of God determines a call, creates communion and sends forth into mission, so that what is received might be given as a gift to others.
The synod’s purpose is primary pastoral and missionary, namely to thoroughly examine the topic’s doctrinal teaching and, in the process, spread and strengthen the practice of encountering the Word of God as the source of life in various areas of experience, and thereby be able to hear God and speak with him in a real and proper manner.
a. Concretely, the Synod wishes to give greater clarity to the basic truths of Revelation, such as, the Word of God, faith, Tradition, the Bible and the Magisterium, all of which underlie and ensure a truly effective journey of faith. It also wants to bring about a deep love for Sacred Scripture, so that "the faithful, by having greater access" to the Bible (cf. DV 22), might come to know the unity between the bread of the Word and the Body of Christ so as to fully nourish the Christian life (2).
Furthermore, the Synod is to consider the dynamic relation between the Word of God and the liturgy; to encourage a widespread practice of Lectio Divina which is duly adapted to various circumstances; and to address a message of comfort and hope to the poor.
The Synod also aims to assist in the proper application of hermeneutics in Scripture, well geared towards the process of evangelization and inculturation and to promote an ecumenical dialogue which is closely bound to the hearing of the Word of God. Finally, the Synod wishes to promote Jewish-Christian dialogue and in a wider sense, inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue.
b. Many Pastors voiced a desire that the Synod be not only informative, but actually touch lives and lead people to greater participation in the Church’s life and mission. Communicated in a language which is simple and understandable to the people, the Word of God is seen as vital, effective and penetrating (cf. Heb 4:12).
In this regard, we recall that "Bible", "Sacred Scripture" and "Holy Book" are equal terms. However, in a specific context, the expression "Word of God" can also mean "Sacred Scripture".
The Gift of Scripture
In July 2005, the Bishops of England and Wales, and of Scotland, published a teaching document, The Gift of Scripture, in which the teaching of Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation of the Second Vatican Council, and subsequent Church documents are explained.
What the Catholic Church has to say about the Holy Scriptures builds on ancient insights as well as utilising modern understandings. This document is offered to Catholics, to other Christians, and to all who value the 'gift of Scripture', so that we may be more richly nourished at 'the table of God's word'.
Read/download:
Opening the Gift of Scripture (pdf) - material for Deanery Meetings (pdf)
Preaching the Word (pdf) - Reflections on preaching drawn from The Gift of Scripture
Celebrating the Word (pdf) - Preparing a liturgy of the word
Praying the Word (pdf) - Lectio Divina and the Sunday Scriptures
Sharing the Word (pdf) - Lectionary based Catechesis
This is an 8 page A5 booklet so the pdf will need to be copied 'back to back' and folded.
Proclaiming the Word (pdf) - guidelines for Ministering the Word at Sunday Mass
This is an 8 page A5 booklet so the pdf will need to be copied 'back to back' and folded.
Ministers of the Word (pdf) - guidelines prepared by the Liturgy Office
A prayer
This prayer, used before each meeting of commissions of the Second Vatican Council, is attributed to St Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636) and is included in the prayers for the opening of a Synod in the Roman Pontifical.
We stand before you, Holy Spirit,
conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in your name.
Come to us, remain with us,
and enlighten our hearts.
Give us light and strength
to know your will,
to make it your own,
and to live it in our lives.
Guide us by your wisdom,
support us by your power,
for you are God,
sharing the glory of Father and Son.
You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by fear or favour.
Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.
As we gather in your name
may we temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you,
and earn the reward
promised to good and faithful servants.
Amen.