EIGHTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 5, 2001 (VIS) - The Eighth General Congregation of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops began at 9 this morning in the presence of Pope John Paul and 247 synod fathers. The president delegate on duty was Cardinal Bernard Agre, archbishop of Abidjan.

Following are exceprts from some of the talks given today:

CARDINAL RICARDO MARIA CARLES GORDO, ARCHBISHOP OF BARCELONA, SPAIN. "No human person, much less a Christian, can resign himself to passively live or to just bear the history which involves him, rather he must feel responsible and called to better the culture in which he lives. That is to say, he must work to raise the level of the values, attitudes, motives and political lines of the culture of his country. He must promote a strong hope. For this (to occur), we must show the people of God, in that which concerns their behavior, not merely the sins they must avoid. That is to say, (we must show them) how they must defend themselves from evil and above all, how they must realize good. It can happen frequently that Catholics know more clearly what they must not do, they do have a sense of sin - even if not everyone does nor in every sphere - however they are not so clear on what is expected of them. And here enters what society expects of them, the call to personal holiness, what God hopes for in their lives."

BISHOP SERGE MIOT, COADJUTOR AND APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR "SEDE PLENA;" OF PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI: "The Haitian people live a complex and agitated life. It is a history of fighting for the liberation of the oppressed. It is, perhaps, the inheritance of a class of massacred people, others torn from their country and completely thrown into slavery with all its horrors. Escaping slavery on a large scale, followed by the 1804 Independence heroically won over the Spanish, the English and the French, noticeably weakened for various reasons. And the escape from slavery is not dead yet: the never-ending political crises have much to say on this. More so with globalization. The Bishops of Haiti are obliged to chose holiness, to preach the Gospel of Hope in a world of contradictions. It is evident to us that we, the Bishops of Haiti, are called to a special discernment in the particular context of today's socio-political life. But all this in an intimacy with Christ who calls us friends. Therefore, our mission is to be the light on the path of the Haitian people, to build the Body of Christ, to promote men where deceived hopes are reborn."

CARDINAL CORMAC MURPHY-O'CONNOR, ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER, PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS OF GREAT BRITAIN. "The bishop has a three-fold ministry of teaching, sanctifying and shepherding the people of his diocese. I am increasingly aware that it is necessary not only to keep the faith, but also to deepen it among priests and people. The consumerist culture attenuates faith, making commitment to both teaching and practice more difficult. One way to counter this consumerist culture is for the bishop to initiate a plan aiming at the spiritual and pastoral renewal of his people. I propose that the Synod consider such a program, which would have four essential elements: 1. Prayer and liturgy, particularly the Eucharist, and also renewed study of scripture. 2. Community: especially small communities - groups of people meeting to pray, ref1ect on the Word of God and relate it to their daily lives. These can transform a parish. 3. Formation: effective catechesis in what we believe (the Creed), what we celebrate (sacraments), and how we should live (commandments, beatitudes ). 4. Work for justice and peace, to be a voice for the voiceless and to care for people in need. In bringing such a plan about, the bishop is crucial. He alone can call and animate such a venture, and so the formation of Bishops at both international and local level is an integral element."

ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH POWATHIL OF CHANGANACHERRY OF THE SYRO-MALABARS, INDIA. "A COLLEGIAL MINISTRY: The bishop has to teach and act in communion with the college of bishops under the leadership of the Bishop of Rome. It is called 'synodality' in the East, a moving together of the whole Church with the bishops who are closely united according to the model of the Triune God. In the synodal process, the bishops used to verify their faith with each other. The Petrine ministry in the Church is that of helping the individual Churches to be faithful to their own faith traditions. The Petrine office will have to encourage valid local initiatives and strengthen necessary local structures. There need be no opposition between the two. THE ECUMENICAL TASK: The Bishop has the obligation to promote ecumenism through prayer, collaboration, faithfulness to tradition and theological dialogue. Eastern Catholic Churches have a special role in promoting ecumenism. They do this by being faithful to their own traditions of liturgy, theology and spirituality. They shou1d have the courage to own up the whole Oriental heritage and to live by it. The Western Church shou1d fully recognise this role of the Orientals and their right to give pastoral care to their migrants."

ARCHBISHOP HENRY SEBASTIAN D'SOUZA, ARCHBISHOP OF CALCUTTA, INDIA: "The traditions of a dead language, Latin, which are part of a dead foreign culture, Roman, even if seen as a vehicle of orthodoxy, do not respond in a satisfactory way to the character and lifestyle of Indian life and tribal languages. The Indians and tribal populations express themselves with languages which are very picturesque, full of symbolism, poetry and emotion. As a consequence, we neeed a free version, and one in the vernacular idiom, of the original books of the Latin rite, both the missal and the book of rites. There is no doubt that we must pay attention so that the purity of doctrine is preserved and the sacred atmosphere is maintained. ... The Roman Rite is direct, concise and compact, characteristics which are exactly the opposite of the cultures and languages in India. 'Sacrosanctum concilium' wished only to keep the substantial unity of the Roman Rite. There should be space for the cultural dfferences of various peoples and races and for a dynamic creativity within the new Churches. As we answer the call to 'cast out into the deep', we bishops, servants of the Gospel, wish to be signs of hope for our people."

ARCHBISHOP METRPOLITAN BERHANEYESUS DEMEREW SOURAPHIEL, C.C., OF ADDIS ABEBA, ETHIOPIA. "One of the difficult times a bishop finds his leadership role tested is in times of conflicts. Often, conflicts happen suddenly and bishops are caught in the midst. Many persons and the media come to the bishop for quick answers, for help, for understanding, for consolations, etc. What can the bishop do? The Bishops of Ethiopia and Eritrea faced such a situation recently. There arose a border conflict between the two countries which led to war. It was a war between two peoples who shared the same history, religion and culture. ... Wars not only destroy and kill but also divide and separate. Yet, by the grace of God, before, during, and after the war, the Bishops of Ethiopia and Eritrea remained united under the Episcopal Conference. ... I think, by the grace of God, the Conference has acted right during the conflict. It did not take sides. At present, its credibility is high and is being invited to be an instrument of rehabilitation, reconciliation, and peace-building."