Torn Notebook recently posted a selection from an interview between Malankara Orthodox TV and Fr. Dr. K. M. George, Malankara Orthodox fraternal delegate at the General Synod of Catholic Bishops. It's long, but such an interesting and unique read that I am reposting it in it's entirety.
- K. G.: Achen, you are attending the General Synod of Catholic Bishops as a “Fraternal Delegate” of the World Council of Churches. Would you tell us something about the Synod?
KMG: Convened by Pope Benedict XVI the General Synod of Bishops is meeting at the Vatican for three weeks, 5-27 October 2008. Some 250 bishops representing Roman Catholic bishops all over the world are presently in the Synod. They have been delegated by their Regional Episcopal Conferences, local synods or directly nominated by the Vatican. They are expected to reflect the pastoral needs and aspirations of the Catholic faithful across the globe. - K. G: What is the major focus of the Synod?
KMG: The main theme for deliberation is the “Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church”. Pope Benedict wants to create a spiritual renewal in the Catholic Church on the basis of regular reading and meditation of the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures. Probably he wants to revive the age-old practice of the Fathers, Saints and monks of the Church who continually and prayerfully meditated on the Biblical Word of God as central to their theology and spirituality. The devotional reading and meditative study of the Bible is called lectio divina in the Latin tradition. The heart of the monastic life was lectio divina. - K. G: What are some of the things the Synod plans to bring about the Biblical renewal?
KMG: The plan include a wide spectrum of activities ranging from encouraging every Catholic family to have a Bible at home and reading it daily to new Bible translations adapted to the needs of the faithful in different contexts. Revision of the present lectionary, preaching of the Word by the priest and lay people, Seminary curriculum on Scripture studies, catechism on the internet and many other areas of life in parishes and mission fields will be re-examined in order to create or strengthen a Bible culture in the Catholic Church. - K.G: Could you tell us something about the practical methods of the Synod’s working on the main theme?
KMG: Already some two years ago an outline called Lineamenta of the theme is prepared and published in the major world languages. At various levels of the Church this draft outline is discussed. Then, on the basis of such discussions a small book on the theme, called Instrumentum Laboris (Instrument of work), is published in different languages. This is sent to all participants a year ago for their study. All the discussions on the Synod will be based on this book.
Then there are small groups. The Synod is divided into 12 discussion groups. They meet several times during the Synod and bring up practical proposal and recommendations.
These proposals, literally hundreds, will be brought to the plenary synod for discussions before the final document of the Synod is proposed. - K.G: What happens to this final document?
KMG: It is submitted to the Pope who decides on what proposals and recommendations should be accepted. The Pope then will send an authoritative pastoral letter summarising the Synod’s work and giving directives regarding the steps to be taken to implement the final proposals at the level of dioceses and parishes. - K.G: You have also attended the Asian Bishops Synod at the Vatican in 1998 convened by the late Pope John Paul II to prepare for the new millennium. What is your general impression about such synods?
KMG: To the best of my knowledge, Catholic Bishops Synods convened by the Popes are the most disciplined ecclesiastical meetings of their kind. In terms of preparation, organisation and practical results they are unique. - K. G: Is there any special urgency to have a Synod on this theme of the Word of God?
KMG: The Roman Catholic Church is facing a major threat form Pentecostals, Evangelicals, Charismatics, and various Christian sects. Many Catholics leave the Church and join such groups. Their main tools are the Bible and their own interpretation of biblical teachings. The Latin American countries, for example, are all traditionally Catholic. But some people think that very soon the Catholic Church will be a minority there since large numbers of people are joining the neo-evangelical and various sectarian movements. So the Catholic Church wants to counter such movements by reviving the right biblical awareness among people. - K.G: When did the Roman Catholic Church start such regular synods?
KMG: It was Pope John VI who instituted a permanent secretariat for synods. Now there is a special Synod hall on the side of St. Peter’s Basilica with all modern facilities. It is named after Paul VI. Before, the Synods or Episcopal Councils were not a regular event in the life of the Roman Church. For example, the famous Second Vatican Council (1963-65) met about 100 years after the First Vatican Council.
Pope John Paul II was enthusiastic about holding synods, because they expressed the principle of ‘collegiality’ so essential to the church’s life. There is certainly the influence of the Orthodox Churches in this since they insist on episcopal collegiality as fundamental to the governance of the Church. Collegiality is the spirit of togetherness when the bishops like the Apostles think and act as one body through mutual understanding, exchange of constructive thinking. This is expected at all levels of the Church from parish council to the synod. - K. G: What is the relation between the Pope and the Synod?
KMG: In the Roman system, synods have only a consultative, advisory status. It is the Pope who makes the final decisions. So Synods are not in fact decision making bodies. This is different from the Eastern Orthodox tradition where synods are decision-making bodies. Patriarchs and Catholicoi are subject to their synods though they can in effect lead the synod with personal charisma, vision and general acclamation. However, the primacy of the head cannot be in conflict with the principle of collegiality. The Roman Catholic Church now wants to combine the absolute primacy of the head, namely the Pope, with the ancient principle of episcopal collegiality. The Orthodox Churches do not agree with the Roman understanding of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome as successor of Peter. - K. G: What is the role of the Pope in the actual sessions of the Synod?
KMG: The Pope is of course the President of the Synod. Though he occupies the Presidential chair the Pope normally never speaks during the official sessions. He has delegated 3 Cardinals to run the meeting. They take turns as the Delegated President of the Synod. Then there is a General Secretary, usually an Archbishop, who coordinates the whole thing and sits on the Podium together with the Pope and the Acting Presidents. The Pope leads the prayers and may speak unofficially after the sessions. - K. G: How do the bishops express their opinions?
KMG: Every bishop will be given five minutes to speak. The text of the speech should be prepared in advance in black and white. If any bishop exceeds the allotted time, be it a Cardinal or Archbishop, the microphone will be cut off. An electronic time counter handles this. The Fraternal delegates are also given the opportunity to speak. But when they speak time counter is not on. So even if they exceed there is no problem. This is the great courtesy to the guests. But fraternal delegates never abuse this privilege. - K. G: What about the group discussions?
KMG: The group discussions are very fruitful, because everyone can speak freely there. The proposals and recommendations are formulated by the group. - K. G: Are there disputed issues and heated arguments in the Synod?
KMG: No. The Roman system exercises strict control over the agenda and the arguments. Bishops seem to be very careful not to offend the higher authorities. The Pope’s personal presence adds gravity to this atmosphere. The general policy appears to stick to rather conservative and well-guarded positions. Bishops from economically backward regions like Africa, Asia and Latin America seem to be particularly attentive to the central policy of Rome for obvious reasons. - K. G: What are the languages used in the Synod?
KMG: Latin is the official language. Major documents are presented in Latin. Then Italian, French, English, Spanish and German are used with simultaneous translations. - K. G: Since you have attended the two Synods conducted by two different Popes, would you draw a comparison between John Paul II and Benedict XVI?
KMG: It is not fair to compare these two great personalities. My knowledge about them is extremely limited. So what I say is my rather superficial impressions.
Pope John Paul II who convened and presided over the Asian Synod of 1998 was certainly a charismatic leader. He would mingle freely with the bishops and other delegates once the official sessions are over. He would also make short comments before and after the sessions. He always betrayed some humour and human warmth.
Paul II in 1998 Synod invited groups of 12 bishops every evening to have supper with him. He invited us four fraternal delegates in that Synod to his private dining room in the Papal apartment to share supper with him. He chatted most informally with us. These are certainly human gestures that carry much positive meaning. I don’t know if one can say such things about the present Pope. He is a highly learned academic and apparently rather shy about meeting people. Well, these are questions of individual temperaments and inclinations. One should not judge too hastily. - K. G: Is there any highlight of the Synod that you want to mention?
KMG: On 18th October the afternoon session of the Synod was held in the famous Sistine chapel where Popes are elected by the conclave of Cardinals. The Ecumenical Patriarch H. H. Bartholomew addressed the Synod. He made an excellent theological contribution from the Orthodox perspective on the theme of the Synod. Pope Benedict led the canonical evening prayer in Latin. The readings were in Greek by an Orthodox deacon. Patriarch Bartholomew gave the final benediction in Greek.
It is the first time that an Ecumenical Patriarch or any head of another Church, is invited to speak at the Synod of the Roman Catholic Bishops. It was also a unique experience to meet in the Sistine chapel beneath the majestic paintings of Michelangelo- the creation of Adam and the Last Judgment. - K. G: Is there anything other Churches can learn from the experience of this Catholic Synod of Bishops?
KMG: Certainly, other Churches can learn a great deal from the Synod. I think the final document of the Synod should be studied by the Synods and higher bodies of Orthodox Churches, because the concern, the context and content of the main theme are equally applicable to the life of the Orthodox Churches as well. This common sharing would be an excellent ecumenical opportunity. - K. G: Would it be a good idea for the synodal meetings of all Churches to invite others as fraternal delegates and observers?
KMG: Yes, I think very much so. Synods except the Ecumenical Councils or Universal Synods are essentially internal to the life of a particular Church. In this sense, obviously the Roman Catholic Church closely monitors the preparation, the process and the outcome of their Synods. This is quite natural. But the fact that they invite others also to be involved to some extent in the actual synodal work gives it a far wider dimension. This hols some promise if taken in the right sense. Then the hospitality of the Roman Catholic Church towards the fraternal delegates and other guests is exemplary.
The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity and its head Cardinal Walter Kasper, Bishop Brian Farrell and Monsignor Johan Bonny all take it as a matter of genuine Christian fellowship and ecumenical interaction.
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