October 4, 2012
(Romereports.com) Roughly 200 bishops from all over the world will be in Rome on October 7th to take part on the Synod on the New Evangelization.
The
theme is “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian
faith.” The goal is for bishops to consider new ways and methods to
strengthen the faith of people, especially in areas, where faith is weak
or even non existent.
There are different types of participants. The main one's are the Synod
Fathers, meaning cardinals and bishops. The Pope directly named 36 of
them. The rest are chosen by Episcopal Conferences.
There will
be 45 experts who will present their different subjects in the meetings.
Another 49 of them are called observers. They will attend the meetings
but they will not directly intervene.
The Synod on the New
Evangelization will also bring together representatives of several
movements and congregations that were formed in the last few years.
For
example, Kiko Arguello, of the Neocatechumenal Way, Sister Mary Prema
Pierick, superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, Maria Voce,
president of the Focolare Movement and the president of Communion and
Liberation, Julian Carrón.
The Synod will last until October
28th. During those three weeks, the Vatican will focus on finding new
ways of bringing the Gospel and its message to the countries that need
it.
Synods are a product of the Second Vatican Council. The
first one was held under Paul VI in 1967. This October meeting will mark
the 21st .
There are four types of synods: ordinary,
extraordinary, particular and special. The Synod on the New
Evangelization falls under the ordinary category. It will be the 13th of
that group and the fifth to be presided by Benedict XVI.
The
ordinary Synods are those that are called on by the Pope to deal with
current issues that are of concern to the entire Church.
Those
that fall under the extraordinary category, deal with urgent issues that
affect geographical areas. Some have taken place in Holland, Lebanon
and Africa.
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