POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION "ECCLESIA IN OCEANIA"

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 2001 (VIS) - Published today, along with the full text of Pope John Paul's Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Oceania," was an official summary of the papal document in English, Italian and French. Following are excerpts from that summary:

"The document is, therefore, an instrument of the papal post-synodal Magisterium which sets forth in an ordered manner the fruits of the work of the special synodal assembly and provides particularly applicable pastoral teaching to assist the Church in Oceania in her work of evangelizing all ' Church members and others ' in the Pacific region."

"'Ecclesia in Oceania' is mainly composed of four chapters based on the elements in the formulation of the synod theme: 'Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania: Walking His Way, Teaching His Truth, Living His Life'. ... Through the Holy Spirit, the Father calls believers'individually and in community'to walk the way that Jesus walked, to tell all nations the truth that Jesus revealed, to live fully the life that Jesus lived and continues to share with us now' (8). The Holy Father has also chosen to introduce each chapter with Scriptural icons, indicative of Oceania and its peoples who are scattered, for the most part, on innumerable islands in a vast expanse of water and are dependent on the sea for food and travel."

"The document's brief Introduction (1-2) is Oceania's song of praise to God at the beginning of the New Christian Millennium and a proclamation of hope in Jesus Christ for the future as a result of the many gifts of peoples which the region and its peoples have received in the past through 'God's infinite goodness in Christ' (1), not the least, the Christian Faith brought by missionaries to the region."

"The Scriptural passage of Christ's call of Peter and Andrew as they were casting their nets by the sea of Galilee (cf. t 4: 18-20) introduces Chapter I, entitled 'Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania'. ... The Holy Father, therefore, insists, that 'Christ is now calling the Church to share in his mission with new energy and creativity, requiring the Church in the region to search 'appropriate ways of presenting to the peoples of Oceania today Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. What follows is a brief theological explanation of the Person of Jesus Christ, 'Shepherd, Prophet and Priest', ... the call to mission, ... the history of the faith in the region and the rich, vibrant diversity of the Peoples of Oceania. ... The Holy Father states that not to be forgotten in presenting Christ is the variety of cultures in Oceania, a fact which requires a 'careful discernment to see what is of the Gospel and what is not, what is essential and what is less so (7) and a consideration of 'the worldwide process of modernization which has effects both positive and negative'."

"Chapter II, 'Walking the Way of Jesus Christ in Oceania (10-17), begins with the Biblical passage of the call of James and John to discipleship as they were mending their nets near their father Zebedee's boat (cf. Mt 4:21-22), and treats Church 'communio', its effects and challenges in the Pacific region. ... After the explanation of the concept of Church 'communio', the chapter proceeds to illustrate the various examples of 'communio', that is, the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Oceania, the unity of the episcopal college, the unity of the local Churches and the unity of the universal Church. Quoting again Pope Paul VI on the subject, the Holy Father augurs: 'May we always find ways to support one another in our united efforts to build up the Church and to live out this communion in service and faith'. These words are given practical form in the chapter's treatment of episcopal conferences ' national and regional ' and the presence of Eastern Churches in the region."

"The emphasis in the initial part of Chapter II on 'communio' logically gives way in the latter part to the subject of mission in which 'the present generation of Christians is called and sent now to accomplish a new evangelization among the peoples of Oceania ...', a mission which involves many challenges 'to reach out to those who live in unfulfilled hopes and desires, to those who are Christians in name only, and to those who have drifted away from the Church, perhaps because of painful experiences'. Above all, 'the Synod Fathers wanted to touch the hearts of young people'. ... The Holy Father concludes Chapter II with the reminder, 'to guide the process, fidelity to Christ and the authentic Tradition of the Church is required'.

"Chapter III, 'Telling the Truth of Jesus Christ in Oceania' (18-35) opens with a citation from the Gospel of Luke, 5:1-3, in which Christ uses Simon's boat to teach the crowd. Relating this image to the Church's charism to teach, the Holy Father emphasizes that the truth of 'the Gospel must be heard in Oceania ...A new evangelization is needed today so that everyone may hear, understand and believe in God's mercy destined for all people in Jesus Christ'."

"The entire group of agents of evangelization is to proclaim the truth of Christ in the particularly challenging areas in Oceania, that is, 'traditional religions and cultures and...the modern process of secularization'; 'the media of social communications'; 'catechesis, instruction and formation in the faith'; 'the work of ecumenism'; 'fundamentalist religious groups and movements' and 'interreligious dialogue'. This proclamation of truth is not only in words but in actions. The Holy Father points out, therefore, that 'the Church regards the social apostolate as an integral part of her evangelizing mission to speak a word of hope to the world; and her commitment in this regard is seen in her contribution to human development (26), her promotion of human rights (27), the defense of human life and dignity (30), social justice (28) and protection of the environment (31)'. The chapter concludes with a treatment of the Church's 'remarkable contribution' in Oceania in the fields of education (32-33), health care (34) and social services (35).

"The Biblical icon introducing Chapter IV, 'Living the Life of Jesus Christ in Oceania', is the account of the miraculous draught of fish (Lk 5:4-7), whose note of abundance aptly convokes the treatment of the Spiritual and Sacramental Life of the Church (36-52), in which 'living in Christ implies a way of life made new by the Spirit' (36). The Holy Father points out in this chapter that the Synod Fathers 'emphasized the fundamental importance for the Church in Oceania of prayer and the interior life in union with Christ ... and recognized the need to give fresh impetus and encouragement to the spiritual life of the faithful' (37)."

"'Each personal vocation is a call to share in the Church's mission; and, given the needs of the new evangelization, it is especially important now to remind lay people in the Church of their particular call' (43); to youth, praying that 'they always be drawn to the overwhelmingly attractive figure of Jesus, and stirred by the challenge of the Gospel's sublime ideals!' (44); to married couples and families, who 'will always need the concerted pastoral care of the Church' (45); to women who need to be provided with opportunities to 'offer their gifts more abundantly in service of the Church's mission' (46); and to new ecclesial movements, 'a sign of the times' (47) in the region, asked to 'work within the structures of the local Church in order to help build up the 'communio' of the Diocese in which they find themselves' (47).

"The section concludes with a treatment of the ordained ministry and the consecrated life. ... The Holy Father points out that 'the promotion of vocations is an urgent responsibility of every Catholic community'(48) and that 'each bishop is responsible for the formation of the local clergy in the context of the local culture and tradition' (48). While praising priests for 'their ongoing fidelity and commitment' (49), the Holy Father also reminded them that 'every priest needs unceasing conversion and openness to the Spirit in order to deepen his priestly commitment in fidelity to Christ' (49), particularly in priestly celibacy and the 'communio' of the 'presbyterium'. ... The Holy Father also notes that the 'permanent diaconate has been introduced in some dioceses of Oceania, where it has been well received' (50) and that 'faithful to the charisms of the consecrated life, congregations, institutes and societies of apostolic life have courageously adjusted to new circumstances, and have shown forth in new ways the light of the Gospel'(51).

"In the conclusion of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Oceania' (53), the Holy Father, recalling that Our Lady is revered in Oceania under the titles of Our Lady of Peace and Help of Christians, invokes the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church with a lengthy prayer."

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