EIGHTEENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, 22 OCT, 1999 (VIS) - At 9:05 a.m. today Friday, October 22, 1999, in the presence of the Holy Father and on the 21st anniversary of the beginning of his ministry as universal Pastor of the Church, the eighteenth general congregation began. It comprised the second vote for the election of the Post-Synodal Council and the presentation of the final List of propositions. The president delegate on duty was Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, Archbishop of Krakow. One hundred and sixty-seven synod fathers were present and the congregation ended at 12:05.

As a first order of business, Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, disclosed the results of the first vote for the Post-Synodal Council. Then, voting cards for the second vote were distributed.

Afterwards, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, relator general, presented the final list of propositions which the synod fathers will study in private in order to prepare the final vote. A second voting card was distributed for the vote on the propositions which will be expressed using the formula of 'placet' (it pleases) or 'non placet' (it pleases not). This vote will be held during the nineteenth and final general congregation this afternoon.

Following this, the second vote was held for the Post-Synodal Council. The names of those elected will be disclosed after the nomination of the members by the Holy Father.

With this afternoon's general congregation, the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops comes to an close.

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