SEVENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 5, 1999 (VIS) - The seventh congregation of the European synod was convened at 5 this evening in the Synod Hall in the presence of John Paul II. The president delegate on duty was Cardinal Franciszek Macharski. Fifteen auditors addressed the assembly, at which 163 synod fathers were present. The meeting closed at 7 p.m. with the recitation of the angelus.

Following are excerpts from some of the auditors who spoke:

FRANCISCO JOSE GOMEZ ARGUELLO WIRTZ, CO-FOUNDER OF THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY, SPAIN. "In parishes the Neocatechumenal Way opens an itinerary of Catholic formation, a post-baptismal Christian initiation of a catechumenal type, lived in small communities which reinforce the faith of those who are near, and calls those faraway to faith. Therefore, it is urgent that the structures of the Church be renewed; that the parish become 'a heavenly village', with a new aspect: a 'catecumenium', with a modern perspective for divine worship and for the life of small communities, a more human social model, capable of opening spaces for a new culture. We would like to make a concrete proposal: A Pontifical Commission for the actuation of new evangelization should be constituted, according to the spirit of Vatican Council II, to promote the annunciation of the 'kerygma' and the Christian initiation of adults, open to life and able to love one another, turning the other cheek, 'as Jesus Christ loved us'."

DENIS VIENOT, PRESIDENT OF CARITAS, EUROPE, FROM FRANCE. "In our region of mixed peoples, the 49 Caritas of Europe - there were 20 in 1989 - act in favor of unity through their commitment to creative charity, solidarity, justice and brotherhood with those near and far, in Europe and in the entire world. ... Caritas is, for many people, the only contact with the Church, their only tie. This is true for the poor - who both benefit from and play a role in Caritas - as it is for both employees and volunteers and for many members of the public. For some, the doors of the Church are too difficult to enter; Caritas allows them to enter through a window. In a media-oriented world, the Church's social role is valued and gives it visibility, but the proposition of faith also consists in a witness of charity and promotion of justice. Caritas Europe has two wishes for the Synod of Bishops: Given the serious situation in many countries of the South, especially in Africa, the Synod should manifest solidarity with the commitment of the Universal Church toward the people of this continent. ... European people and societies suffer serious injustice that hit the poorest. ... The Synod should highlight the commitment of the Churches of Europe in transforming the unjust structures of these societies."

SR. JOLANTA OLECH, U.S.J.K., SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE URSULINE SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN AGONY, AND PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE OF SUPERIORS MAJOR OF FEMALE INSTITUTES IN POLAND. "In reading the Working Document, it would seem that the Church of Europe depends little upon religious life in its initiative for renewal. Yet, religious are convinced that, even today, they have a contribution to make to the cause of Christ. ... There are many places where religious have made, still make and can continue to make a contribution: a fraternal life in communities that are places of love, of reconciliation, of maturity, of persons open to the horizons of a world without divisions or phobias; an evangelizing presence and support in the face of the many problems of today's world; a presence among youth, helping them to grow correctly; a pastoral care of the family for the defense of life and many other fields. ... We firmly wish that the Church would count on us, that she consider our contribution to life and to service in her pastoral care strategies. A word of trust from the Synod could become a strong stimulus for the development and renewal of religious life."

LUDMILA GRYGIEL OF THE JOHN PAUL II INSTITUTE, PONTIFICAL LATERAN UNIVERSITY, FROM POLAND. "Today, man's loss of himself amidst the many propositions of temporal happiness, increases his nostalgia for God and revives his hope to unite with Him. European man painfully experiences the necessity of the eternal for his own spiritual life. He wants to dialogue with God. ... In other words, it is through prayer that man leaves solitude. Today, many ask the Church the same question that the disciples asked Christ; 'Teach us to pray.' If their request is not satisfied, they go away, perhaps to the Buddhists or to the sects. We must not forget that the disciples asked this question when they saw Christ pray. Therefore, there exists not only the danger of not answering the question asked by men who wish to pray, but also that they will ask it less of Christians. The crisis of faith and hope we are experiencing is caused mainly by the fact that Christians do not pray a great deal. Without prayer, faith vacillates and hope weakens. Prayer is the mother tongue of the Christian soul, Popes, theologians, peasants use it. Without prayer a believer is mute, even when he makes long speeches."

SR. TEKLA FAMIGLIETTI O.SS.S., ABBESS GENERAL OF THE BRIGITTINE SISTERS, ORDER OF THE MOST HOLY SAVIOUR, ITALY. "As the most humble of your sisters in faith, I address you to bear witness to the delight and gratitude of our Order and of those Catholics and Lutherans, representatives of Churches and States, who are filled with joy at the proclamation of Bridget of Sweden as co-patroness of Europe. Thank you, Holy Father, for this gift to Europe! Thank you for this gift to the Church, this gift to all the Churches in Europe! Bridget is a prophet of the new times, for the new Europe. ... Bridget presents herself to men and women of the new Europe as a teacher of life and indicates some possible paths: The 'way of the Cross,' ... the 'way of unity,' ... the 'way of education,' ... the 'way of beauty,' ... the 'way of holiness'."

ALAIN BESANCON, MEMBER OF THE "INSTITUT DE FRANCE - ACADEMIE DE SCIENCES MORALES ET POLITIQUES," FRANCE. "Muslim immigration in Europe is a new factor, four to five million in France alone, a number comparable to that of practicing Catholics. ... It would be positive to work in three directions: 1. To have the courage to consider reality as it is, and in particular not to drown the problem of Islam in that of generalized immigration. 2. To instruct Christians on what Islam is, especially in those aspects that are directly contrary to the Christian faith, while teaching respect and charity towards Muslims. 3. To instruct Christians in their own religion. Thus, it is not admissible that the Catholic media often use faulty expressions such as: 'the three revealed religions', 'the three religions of Abraham', 'the three religions of the Book'."

WILLIAM STAINSBY, PRESIDENT OF THE NEWMAN INSTITUTE AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR FAITH AND CULTURE, IRELAND. "I can think of no more effective initiative for the new millennium than the establishment of a Family Life Center in each diocese, or a shared Center for a group of dioceses. Its focus will rest on providing catechesis open to the liberating yet demanding doctrine of the Church. ... Inter-linked with a Family Life Center could be a Family to Family Association to promote the following: A Christ-centered outlook; ... A regular/quarterly newsletter called, for example, 'Family Life Today,' connecting the network of families, individuals and other diocesan associations; Solidarity programs with similar regional, national and international associations to create closer personal, social and cultural links in Europe, and promote closer family and parish contacts, especially with central and eastern Europe."

CARDINAL EDWARD IDRIS CASSIDY, PRESIDENT OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY. "The dialogue of truth needs to be accompanied by the dialogue of love. But the dialogue of love, also referred to as 'charismatic ecumenism', needs also the dialogue of truth, or 'institutional ecumenism', if it is to make a truly positive contribution to the search for unity, and not lead to confusion and 'false irenicism'. ... Section 65 of the Instrumentum laboris deals with the 'problem of sects', and refers to 'the complexity and variety of phenomena related to the sects'. A distinction is made between 'sects which have a Christian origin and those based on other religions or a certain kind of humanism'. I do not think that the treatment here is adequate or the definition provided of sects precise. ... The Pontifical Council for Christian Unity suggests that the word 'sect', if it is to be used at all, be restricted to those religious movements which are non-Christian in origin, or are eclectic in that they have sources of truth and doctrine other than the Sacred Scriptures."

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