Tuesday, April 8, 2014

THE POPE EMPHASISES THE AFFECTIVE AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNION OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS


Vatican City, 8 April 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has written a message to Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, on the occasion of the elevation to the episcopal order of Msgr. Fabio Fabene, under-secretary of the Synod.

“Almost fifty years have passed since the institution of the Synod of Bishops”, the Pope writes, “and aware that, for the exercise of the Petrine Ministry it is necessary, as never before, to further revive the close bond with all Pastors of the Church, I wish to enhance the value of this valuable conciliar legacy. In this regard, there is no doubt that the Bishop of Rome needs the presence of his brother Bishops, their counsel, their prudence and their experience. … Therefore, I am most grateful to those who, with generous, diligent and competent work throughout these years, have ensured that the Synod contributes to the indispensable dialogue between Peter and his brethren. … Now, in order to underline the valuable service that this Organ carries out in promoting episcopal collegiality with the Bishop of Rome, I have decided to confer the dignity of episcopal rank to the under-secretary.

“Thereby the under-secretary, who already collaborates with Your Eminence with regard to the development of synodal activity, by virtue of the episcopal Order will reflect the affective and effective that is the main objective of the Synod of Bishops. Also in coordinating work within the secretariat general, the under-secretary will be required to express the fertile and fruitful consequences of participation in the episcopal 'munus', a source of sanctification for those who surround it and the foundation of the hierarchical communion with the Bishop of Rome, and with the head and members of the Episcopal College”.

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