THE FINAL MESSAGE FROM THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Final Message of the Tenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was published today in various languages. Following are excerpts from that text:

I. INTRODUCTION

"We, Catholic patriarchs and bishops of the entire world, have been invited by Pope John Paul II to evaluate our ministry in the Church in the light of the Second Vatican Council. ... The constant presence of the successor of Peter during our work has been a special source of encouragement. He has proclaimed the Good News to everyone and has tirelessly travelled the whole world as a pilgrim for peace. Together with him, we have listened to the Word of God and to one another. In this way, we have heard the voices of local churches and of different peoples, in a vivid experience of universal fraternity, which we would like to share through this Message. We missed the presence of some of our beloved brothers in the Lord who were not able to come to Rome. We listened with deep emotion to the testimonies of several bishops who had been sent into prison or exile during recent decades, for Jesus' sake. Others have died for their fidelity to the Gospel."

II. JESUS CHRIST OUR HOPE
"When we reviewed in turn the tragedies and wonders throughout the world today, we did so in the light of Christ's Paschal Mystery, his Passion, Death and Resurrection. ... While from a human point of view, the power of evil often seems to triumph, in the eyes of faith the loving mercy of God immeasurably prevails. ... The first refusal to obey God, which Sacred Scripture reveals as the root of sin, was the origin of the division between man and the Creator, between man and woman, between humanity and the earth, between man and his brother. ... But we should never forget that this account of sin is immediately followed by a promise of salvation. ... Today this Gospel is still preached throughout the whole world. Therefore we should not allow ourselves to be intimidated by those doctrines which deny the existence of the living God and which strive, in more or less cunning ways, to undermine, parody or deride Christian hope."

"The horror of terrorism
Our assembly, together with the Holy Father, has expressed its deepest sympathy for the victims of the outrages of September 11 and for their families. We are praying for them and all the other victims of terrorism in the world. We absolutely condemn terrorism, which nothing can justify.

"Violent situations
It is both urgent and necessary to keep also in mind what Pope John Paul II has spoken of as 'the structures of sin', if we want to point new ways forward for the world. According to reliable economic experts, 80 percent of the population of our planet survives on only 20 percent of its income and one billion two hundred million people 'live' on less than one dollar a day! A drastic moral change is required. Today the social teaching of the Church has a relevance which we cannot overemphasize. As bishops, we commit ourselves to making this teaching better known in our local churches."

"Some endemic evils, when they are too long ignored, can produce despair in entire populations. How can we keep silent when confronted by the enduring drama of hunger and extreme poverty, ... (by) the flood of refugees and immigrants, ... (by) the ravages of malaria, the spread of AIDS, illiteracy, the hopelessness of so many children and youth abandoned to life on the streets, the exploitation of women, pornography, intolerance, the scandalous perversion of religion for violent purposes, drug trafficking and the sale of arms. The list is not exhaustive!"

"Perhaps what most upsets us as pastors is the contempt for human life, from conception to death, as well as the breakdown of the family. The Church's 'No' to abortion and euthanasia is a 'Yes' to life, a 'Yes' to the fundamental goodness of creation, ... a 'Yes' to the family, the most basic community of hope which so pleases God that He calls it to become a 'domestic Church'.

III. THE BISHOP, SERVANT OF THE GOSPEL OF HOPE

"A Call to Holiness
The Second Vatican Council presented a universal call to holiness. ... One form of holiness which the world needs today is precisely the openness to all that is distinctive of a bishop, through his patience and boldness in giving 'reason for the hope' which is in him."

"Struggling against poverty in poverty of spirit
Just as we must struggle to free those oppressed by a poverty which is destructive, so there can be a kind of poverty which frees our energies for love and service. This is the Gospel poverty which we want to practice. ... The bishop is the father and the brother of the poor. When it is necessary, he should not hesitate to raise his voice for those who have no voice, so that their rights will be recognised and respected."

"Communion and collegiality
The term 'communion' (koinonia) belongs to the undivided Christian tradition of both East and West. ... 'Collegiality', which is at the service of communion, characterizes the college of the apostles and their successors the bishops, united among themselves and with the Pope, the successor of Peter."

"A spiritual struggle
Love for unity in no way implies indifference to currents hostile to that truth which shines so brightly on the face of Christ. This love induces the shepherd, as guardian and prophet, to warn his people against false teachings which threaten the purity of Christian hope."

"Weavers of Unity
"(The bishop) ... will not tire in sustaining the religious fervor of parishes and developing missionary dynamism within them, in collaboration with the parish priests. Movements, small communities, and agencies of formation and charity, which constitute the tapestry of Christian life will benefit from his vigilance and concern. As an expert weaver of unity, the bishop with his priests and deacons, will discern and sustain all these charisms in their marvelous diversity."

"Ministers of Mystery
"The irrevocable commitment of the Second Vatican Council to the full unity of Christians draws the bishop to engage with love in ecumenical dialogue. ... This Synod wishes to express the bishops' heartfelt thanks to all priests, their principal collaborators in the apostolic mission. ... Through mutual trust and a warm friendship with his priests, the bishop will enhance their esteem for their ministry, often misunderstood in a society tempted by the worship of possessions, pleasure and power."

"Consecrated life
We are also deeply grateful to all consecrated persons, devoted to contemplation and the apostolate. ... They often enable our apostolic ministry to reach people at the furthest reaches of our dioceses, where, without them, Christ would not be preached."

"Mission of the laity
Today more than ever, lay people are again playing their proper part in giving life to Christian communities, liturgical life, theological formation and charitable works. ... Through their commitment to family, social, cultural and political life, and through their presence at the heart of what Pope John Paul II has called 'the modern areopagus', particularly through their work in the media or in encouraging respect for God's creation, may they continue to bridge the gap between faith and culture."

"Theology and Inculturation
We wish to acknowledge 'the seeds of the Word' which God has implanted in different cultures, religions, works of art and in all the spiritual richness of different peoples throughout history. ... But in order to explain the purity of the original Christian faith in a new and accessible language ever faithful to tradition, we need the particular contribution of skilled theologians."

IV. CONCLUSION

"An Appeal to Political and Economic Leaders
Recognising our own limits and our role as bishops and making no pretence to any political power, we still dare to speak to our political and economic leaders: May the common good of all persons and peoples be your motive for action. It is not beyond your mandate to join together as broadly as possible to work for justice and peace. We ask you to remember those corners of the world which receive no media coverage and where our brothers and sisters are dying from famine and lack of medicine. The persistence of gross inequalities between nations is a threat to peace. As the Pope has explicitly asked you, we ask you again to lessen the burden of external debt on the developing countries, to defend all human rights, especially the right to religious freedom. Confidently and respectfully, we ask you to remember that all power finds its meaning in service alone.


"Call to Youth
And you, young people, you are 'sentinels of the morning'. It is Pope John Paul II who gave you this name. ... You have a keen sense of what honesty and sincerity require. You do not want to be caught up into divisive ethnic struggles nor poisoned by the gangrene of corruption. ... The Ten Commandments (are) written in your hearts ... (and the) Beatitudes give the Commandments a vitality and a radiant inspiration that can win hearts for the Truth that frees us."

"Appeal for Jerusalem
Finally, we turn to you, Jerusalem, City where God is revealed in history: We pray for your well-being! May all the children of Abraham meet once again in you with genuine respect for one another's rights. May you remain, for all the peoples of the earth, an everlasting symbol of hope and peace."

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