VATICAN CITY, 5 OCT 2008 (VIS) - Returning to the Vatican following this morning's celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls where he inaugurated the Synod of Bishops, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The Pope remarked upon "the importance and function of this assembly of bishops, who have been chosen in such a way as to represent the entire episcopate and called to give more effective assistance to Peter's Successor, both expressing and consolidating ecclesial communion".
The Synod, he went on, "is an important body, established in September 1965 by my venerated predecessor, Servant of God Paul VI. ... The aims of the Synod of Bishops are these: to promote close ties and collaboration between the Pope and bishops of the whole world, to provide direct and precise information on the situation and problems of the Church, to favour agreement on doctrine and pastoral activity, and to consider questions of great current importance".
"The synodal aspect is a constituent element of the Church. It consists in coming together from all peoples and cultures to become one in Christ and to walk together behind Him. ... Indeed the word 'synodos' ... suggests the idea of 'journeying together', which has always been the experience of the People of God in the history of salvation. ... I invite you all to support the work of the Synod with your prayers, particularly invoking the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, the perfect disciple of the divine Word".
After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father recalled how beginning this evening the Italian State broadcaster, RAI, will begin the "Bible day and night" initiative, which consists in the complete and uninterrupted reading of the Bible over seven days and nights in the Roman basilica of Sant Croce in Gerusalemme. Around 1,200 readers from 50 countries will participate in the event. Benedict XVI himself will inaugurate the event by reading the first chapter of Genesis, to be transmitted at 7 p.m. on RAI's main television channel.
"The Word of God", said the Pope, "will thus enter peoples homes to accompany the lives of families and individuals; a seed that, if welcomed, will not fail to bring abundant fruit".
ANG/SYNOD BIBLE/... VIS 20081006 (400)
The Pope remarked upon "the importance and function of this assembly of bishops, who have been chosen in such a way as to represent the entire episcopate and called to give more effective assistance to Peter's Successor, both expressing and consolidating ecclesial communion".
The Synod, he went on, "is an important body, established in September 1965 by my venerated predecessor, Servant of God Paul VI. ... The aims of the Synod of Bishops are these: to promote close ties and collaboration between the Pope and bishops of the whole world, to provide direct and precise information on the situation and problems of the Church, to favour agreement on doctrine and pastoral activity, and to consider questions of great current importance".
"The synodal aspect is a constituent element of the Church. It consists in coming together from all peoples and cultures to become one in Christ and to walk together behind Him. ... Indeed the word 'synodos' ... suggests the idea of 'journeying together', which has always been the experience of the People of God in the history of salvation. ... I invite you all to support the work of the Synod with your prayers, particularly invoking the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, the perfect disciple of the divine Word".
After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father recalled how beginning this evening the Italian State broadcaster, RAI, will begin the "Bible day and night" initiative, which consists in the complete and uninterrupted reading of the Bible over seven days and nights in the Roman basilica of Sant Croce in Gerusalemme. Around 1,200 readers from 50 countries will participate in the event. Benedict XVI himself will inaugurate the event by reading the first chapter of Genesis, to be transmitted at 7 p.m. on RAI's main television channel.
"The Word of God", said the Pope, "will thus enter peoples homes to accompany the lives of families and individuals; a seed that, if welcomed, will not fail to bring abundant fruit".
ANG/SYNOD BIBLE/... VIS 20081006 (400)
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