Synod for Africa: 6th report from Fr O'Leary
Monday, 26 October 2009 08:32
Well it finished as it began in the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica, the Synod Fathers surrounding the Holy Father in a Eucharist of gratitude and hope. The final ceremony that gave closure to three weeks of hard work. We joined the Pope for the Angelus at 12.00, on St. Peter's Square, where thousands had gathered, all of us dressed in the same chasuble, given as it was as a present from the Holy Father to each one of us.
At noon Saturday some 400, those at the Synod and those assisting the Synod, sat down to a four course lunch with the Holy Father. This was not a South African 'braai' but a beautiful layed out banquet in the Vatican colours. Again competency prevailed and all ate and drank to their hearts content. The Pope spoke 'ad lib' for the first time, and though my Italian is not what it used to be, it was interesting what he said.
He mentioned he had two fears at the beginning of the Synod, that we would either be too 'spiritual' or too 'political' as regards the theme of the Synod; reconciliation, justice and peace and he was pleased to see we had arrived at a happy balance between the two. He also announced that Cardinal Turkson from Ghana would replace Cardinal Martino as head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. As luck would have it I was invited to dinner with the Cardinal and of course the conversation eventually got around to the wonderful idea of "An African Council of Peace Elders". The new man at the helm of Justice and Peace showed more than a passing interest in the wonderful initiative and will be in touch, so to say!
The last days had two goals: to finalize 'The Message' and to finalize 'The Propostions'. The editors of 'The Message' took to heart the concerns of the Synod Fathers and the final document, 43 paragraphs in all, is a worthy testimony to the work of the Synod. It remains a balance between a spirituality and theology of reconciliation, justice and peace and a hard hitting document that challenges those in power who cause so much misery on the African continent to amend their ways. The 'prophylactic' issue was toned down replaced as it was by a more positive approach to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.The voice of the Assembly had been heard load and clear and acted upon.
Our working group proposed 15 amendments to 'The Propositions'. Our French speaking brothers ans sisters working in the group next to us had more amendments than their original propositions; giving as they did a monumental task to the redaction community that worked night and day.
The result was a far superior document. It must be remembered that 'The Propostions' are for the Holy Father to be used in the correlation of the Apostolic Exhortation, a task given to 12 elected Synod Fathers and three more to be appointed by the Pope. The outcome is 57 propositions. Each Synod Father had to vote personally on each proposition and then collectively in the Assembly. The Synod Fathers had to hand over their individual book with the 57 Propositions to the Vatican but when we broke for lunch we were surprised they had already been given to the press. Those outside had 'The Propositions' and those who had worked for weeks did not have them. This was a bit odd to say the least.
The Propositions are broken up into 4 main categories: The theology and spirituality of reconciliation, justice and peace; reaching out to others e.g. Islam and Ecumenism; different groupings of people, such as the laity, priests and of course women (men are not mentioned) and political, economic and social issues, such as good governance, globalization, the arms trade and so on. They are well written and well presented. My Council of Peace Elders idea and the propostion on the Blessed Virgin Mary both made it into the final propostions, much to the delighted of the Archbishop from the Philippians and to be fair I must say, if it was not for Mary my propostion would not have made it.
Today the Synod finished but today the Synod begins in earnest as the Synod Fathers 'trek' home to the arduous task of implementing the Synod and bring 'The Synod Message' to their people. If there is a criticism it is that 'the how to implement' was not tackled. This will be left up to local Bishops'Conferences.
We came, we listened, we spoke, we agreed, we voted and now we are going back home.
Africa, rise up, take up your pallet, and walk!
At noon Saturday some 400, those at the Synod and those assisting the Synod, sat down to a four course lunch with the Holy Father. This was not a South African 'braai' but a beautiful layed out banquet in the Vatican colours. Again competency prevailed and all ate and drank to their hearts content. The Pope spoke 'ad lib' for the first time, and though my Italian is not what it used to be, it was interesting what he said.
He mentioned he had two fears at the beginning of the Synod, that we would either be too 'spiritual' or too 'political' as regards the theme of the Synod; reconciliation, justice and peace and he was pleased to see we had arrived at a happy balance between the two. He also announced that Cardinal Turkson from Ghana would replace Cardinal Martino as head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. As luck would have it I was invited to dinner with the Cardinal and of course the conversation eventually got around to the wonderful idea of "An African Council of Peace Elders". The new man at the helm of Justice and Peace showed more than a passing interest in the wonderful initiative and will be in touch, so to say!
The last days had two goals: to finalize 'The Message' and to finalize 'The Propostions'. The editors of 'The Message' took to heart the concerns of the Synod Fathers and the final document, 43 paragraphs in all, is a worthy testimony to the work of the Synod. It remains a balance between a spirituality and theology of reconciliation, justice and peace and a hard hitting document that challenges those in power who cause so much misery on the African continent to amend their ways. The 'prophylactic' issue was toned down replaced as it was by a more positive approach to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.The voice of the Assembly had been heard load and clear and acted upon.
Our working group proposed 15 amendments to 'The Propositions'. Our French speaking brothers ans sisters working in the group next to us had more amendments than their original propositions; giving as they did a monumental task to the redaction community that worked night and day.
The result was a far superior document. It must be remembered that 'The Propostions' are for the Holy Father to be used in the correlation of the Apostolic Exhortation, a task given to 12 elected Synod Fathers and three more to be appointed by the Pope. The outcome is 57 propositions. Each Synod Father had to vote personally on each proposition and then collectively in the Assembly. The Synod Fathers had to hand over their individual book with the 57 Propositions to the Vatican but when we broke for lunch we were surprised they had already been given to the press. Those outside had 'The Propositions' and those who had worked for weeks did not have them. This was a bit odd to say the least.
The Propositions are broken up into 4 main categories: The theology and spirituality of reconciliation, justice and peace; reaching out to others e.g. Islam and Ecumenism; different groupings of people, such as the laity, priests and of course women (men are not mentioned) and political, economic and social issues, such as good governance, globalization, the arms trade and so on. They are well written and well presented. My Council of Peace Elders idea and the propostion on the Blessed Virgin Mary both made it into the final propostions, much to the delighted of the Archbishop from the Philippians and to be fair I must say, if it was not for Mary my propostion would not have made it.
Today the Synod finished but today the Synod begins in earnest as the Synod Fathers 'trek' home to the arduous task of implementing the Synod and bring 'The Synod Message' to their people. If there is a criticism it is that 'the how to implement' was not tackled. This will be left up to local Bishops'Conferences.
We came, we listened, we spoke, we agreed, we voted and now we are going back home.
Africa, rise up, take up your pallet, and walk!
Fr Sean O'Leary
Director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute
Director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute
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Comments (2)
Justice , peace and reconciliation starts from heart
written by Fr. Matthias Nsamba, October 27, 2009
written by Fr. Matthias Nsamba, October 27, 2009
I think and I am sure that Justice, peace and reconciliation starts from an individual and how he/she treats the neighbor. We may miss the point by hiding behind the Synod which took place in Rome. But how do I use my position, power and influence to promote the issues discussed in Rome? Unless each baptised, ordained minister and above all church authorities take the discussed topics as a personal responsibility, the three weeks may be a wasted time. The change I want to see in the World, or to be specific on the African continent, must begin with me! Well, we pray.
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