Pope Francis told members of the synod on synodality that they should respect and honor the faith of all baptized Catholics, including the women, trusting “the holy, faithful people of God” who continue to believe even when their pastors act like dictators.
“I like to think of the church as the simple and humble people who walk in the presence of the Lord — the faithful people of God,” he told participants at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops Oct. 25.
In a rare intervention as the assembly was nearing its conclusion, Pope Francis told members to trust the fidelity of the people they listened to in preparation for the synod over the past two years.
“One of the characteristics of this faithful people is its infallibility — yes, it is infallible in ‘credendo,’” in belief, as the Second Vatican Council taught, he said.
“I explain it this way: ‘When you want to know ‘what’ Holy Mother Church believes, go to the magisterium, because it is in charge of teaching it to you, but when you want to know ‘how’ the Church believes, go to the faithful people,” the pope said.
“And here I would like to emphasize that, among God’s holy and faithful people, faith is transmitted in dialect, and generally in a feminine dialect,” he said.
“The faithful people, the holy faithful people of God” have a soul, a conscience and a way of seeing reality, he said.
Nigerian Church reeling from relentless kidnappings
Brother Godwin Eze, one of three Benedictine monks kidnapped by an armed gang on the night of 17 October from the Eruku Monastery in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, has been killed by his captors.
The other two abducted postulants, Anthony Eze and Peter Olarewaj, were freed on 21 October. Brother Godwin Eze was killed on 18 October, a day after being taken by the gun men.
According to the two freed postulants, a large group of armed men, described as a gang of Fulani herdsmen, attacked the Monastery’s novitiate dormitory around 1 a.m. on 17 October. About 10 novices and postulants were in the building, sleeping. Three were captured and forced to walk barefoot into a forest. Upon reaching the bank of a river, the bandits shot Brother Godwin and threw his body into the water. The bandits then threatened the two postulants with machetes.
News of kidnapped Catholic priests, religious sisters, seminarians, novices and postulants or those attached to Church services in Nigeria has been relentless for some years now. Sometimes, the victims have been tortured or killed. Very few are released unscathed.
Apart from the tragic incidents involving the Benedictine Monastery on 5 October, this month alone, three Sisters of the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae (MDME), a seminarian, Peter Eyakeno Sunday of the Missionary Sons of the Most Holy Trinity and Mr. Awoke Emmanuel, a driver were kidnapped. They were on their way to attend a funeral in another region of the country.
Synod, October 25: Assembly approves message: listen to everyone
The Synod of Bishops has issued a “Letter to the People of God,” describing the work of the October meeting and asking all the faithful to “concretely participate” in the synod process that will continue through the next year and conclude with another plenary assembly in October 2024.
As this year’s assembly nears its conclusion, the participants discussed a draft of the message that was presented on October 23, and—after a few amendments—approved the text by an overwhelming 336—12 vote on October 25.
The Synod message placed heavy emphasis on the wide-ranging consultations that have characterized the Synod on Synodality and given rise to concerns that the process will bring about changes in—or confusion about—Church doctrine. Pope Francis encouraged discussion of criticisms levelled by Catholic dissidents and by non-Catholics. The Letter to the People of God confirmed that decision, saying: “To progress in its discernment, the Church absolutely needs to listen to everyone, starting with the poorest.”
Unlike previous meetings of the Synod of Bishops, the Synod on Synodality has adopted an extended three-year process. Whereas previous meetings culminated with a plenary assembly at which delegates voted to approve a set of propositions, Pope Francis has directed that the Synod on Synodality will meet again before issuing a final statement. So the Letter looks forward to a continuation of the process.
The Letter opens with thanks to those who supported the Synod deliberations with their prayers, and reports that it was a “beautiful and enriching experience” for the participants, a “blessed time in profound communion.” Looking forward, the message says:
And now? We hope that the months leading to the second session in October 2024 will allow everyone to concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word “synod.”
This month’s meeting was “an important phase of this process,” the Letter says. It was also an “unprecedented experience” because Pope Francis chose to invite lay men and women to be full participants in the discussions. Thus although the message came from the Synod of Bishops, about 20% of those who voted to approve it were not bishops.
It means listening to those who have been denied the right to speak in society or who feel excluded, even by the Church; listening to people who are victims of racism in all its forms—in particular in some regions to indigenous peoples whose cultures have been scorned.
Tea Garden parish celebrates mission centenary
A tea garden parish in the Dooars area of Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal has celebrated 100 years of founding of Catholic community. Bishop Clement Tirkey of Jalpaiguri welcomed Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and seven other bishops of Bengal to the centenary Eucharist with some 100 plus priests, scores of religious Brothers and Sisters; and more than 10,000 faithful.
Church leaders against Indian state holding Cherry festival on Sunday
Church leaders in a Christian-majority state in northeast India have urged the provincial government to reschedule the concluding ceremony of a popular cherry blossom festival slated for a Sunday.
The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the grandest celebrations in Meghalaya state showcasing music, fashion, literature, and culture. It draws tourists from around the globe and will take place from Nov. 17 to 19 this year.
Indian Jesuit appointed member of Vatican Commission for Ecumenical Theology
The Vatican Dicastery for Church Unity has appointed Jesuit Father Jijimon Puthuveettilkalam as a member of the International Theological Commission for Church Unity Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Church.
Indian bishops welcome Supreme Court rejecting same-sex marriage
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on October 17 welcomed the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages.
The apex court’s “decision reaffirms the institution of traditional marriage, rooted in the sacred teachings and values held by the Catholic Church and many other faiths,” the conference says in a press statement.
Scholarship programme for Dalit converts sparks controversy in Tamil Nadu
Controversy rages in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu over the deci-sion to grant scholarships to Dalit students converts to Christianity as part of an education programme in favour of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who have traditionally been excluded under India’s complex caste system.
Ilamurugu Muthu, president of the Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam (Ambedkar People Movement, AMI), recently presented a petition to Tamil Nadu’s Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj asking that the state government not extend the benefits granted to Dalits to other backward cla-sses (OBC). AMI is a political movement based in Tamil Na-du, promoting Dalit education, rights, and empowerment. Dalits were once referred to as “untouchables.”
“The state government is implementing the post-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste students but has included Dalit Christian converts in the scholarship scheme. 20.01 per cent of funds is allotted for Dalit students and it is not meant for OBCs. Spending funds allotted for Dalits on OBCs is illegal,” Ilamurugu told.
Sr. Nirmalini: Time for women in the Church to hange style of authority
“We must reduce the emphasis on the idea of authority. It is fundamentally a service to be carried out with humility.”
As the first session of the Synodal Assembly in Rome draws to a close on Sunday, Sr Maria Nirmalini, Indian religious, superior general of the Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel, expresses her opinion on one of its most debated topics – the role of women in the Church.
Nirmalini is also president of the Conference of the Religious of India and participates in the Synod among the members designated by the Union of Superiors General.
“It is not a journey that will end here, the Synod is a process that will continue,” – adds Sr. Nirmalini. ”We are looking for leadership that is inclusive of all women, young lay people as well as consecrated women: this is the leadership we are looking at.”
In India the superior of the apostolic Carmel leads the over 130 thousand local religious women, in a context in which the reflection on the role of women and the recognition of their equal dignity has to deal with a patriarchal system still deeply rooted in society and also in Church itself.
“I took on this role,” she said, “when the Indian Church was experiencing various challenges from within and without, such as sexual exploitation, gender inequality, an unjust wage system, clericalism. I don’t pretend that the situation has changed now. But we have put in place clear plans and systems to address these challenges appropriately.”
On the issue of harassment, she states without hesitation that “silent suffering no longer makes sense. We need to develop platforms for mutual sharing and psychological well-being.”
On the phase that will open at the end of this first session of the Synod, you said that by returning to India you will continue to work so that the synod process involves “all members of the communities”.
Goa cardinal calls for day of prayer for peace
Taking a cue from Pope Francis, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, archbishop of Goa and Daman, has invited the priests, Religious and lay people in the western Indian archdiocese to observe October 27 as a day of prayer, penance and fasting for peace.
In his circular from Rome, the cardinal said, “Dearly beloved, In a world marred by conflict and suffering, the ongoing strife in Israel and Palestine stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace in our world. We are witnessing a crisis that is claiming countless lives and causing immeasurable pain. Our Holy Father Francis is constantly voicing his concern for the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Israel, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons.”
Earlier on October 18, speaking at his General Audience Pope Francis implored: “Lay down weapons and heed the cries for peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children. War solves no problems. It only sows death and destruction and increases hatred. War erases the future!”
And the pontiff called on all Christians to pray and fast for peace October 27. He also encouraged people of other Christian denominations, other religions and all those who advocate for peace to participate as they see fit. The Pope announced that the central event would be an hour of prayer at 6 pm in St. Peter’s Square.