BISHOPS DO NOT HAVE MONOPOLY OF EVANGELIZATION
Synod for Oceania Emphasizes Missionary Vocation of All Catholics
VATICAN CITY, DEC 11 -- The final message of the participants of the ecclesial summit is suffused with confidence and optimism for the Church in Oceania, on the eve of the third Christian millennium.
The message was presented this morning in the Press Hall of the Holy See. A concelebrated Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica will take place tomorrow to conclude the first meeting in history of the bishops of the "continent of water."
"During our sessions, -- the text reads -- the words of the commission of Jesus to preach the Gospel to every creature recurred often, and focused our attention on the role of the bishop as teacher of the faith. We know that we are not alone in this and we recognize the key role of catechists, parish communities, Catholic schools, seminaries, universities, lay formation programs, and the media. Time after time, matters of social justice were raised and intimately linked to the refugees and migration, environment, unemployment, development funding, health care, sexual abuse and the economy. The sacredness of life, the dignity of the human person, both women and men, and the common good of all peoples were integral to all our considerations."
"Above all, the need for holiness in leaders and the faithful was stressed. If the Church is to be a teacher, she must first be a witness."
The Synod clearly understood that "walking with, and telling the Word will avail little, if the Word is not lived. (...) We are to seek unity in diversity and to be especially attentive to the marginalized and estranged," they added.
As regards the dialogue with other Christians, we have tried "to repent past sins against Christian unity, and to strive for the goals of ecumenism as outlined in John Paul II's encyclical 'Ut unum sint,' which refers to dialogue with other Christians.
The ecclesial summit -- the message reveals -- has specifically analyzed the situation in regions without the possibility of receiving the Eucharist frequently. "Given the centrality of the Eucharist, the ordained priesthood grows in importance, and this consideration led to other questions touching on the issue of priestly celibacy, vocations, formation and on-going support for priests."
The document acquires new force when it sends out a call to those who are the hope of that continent: the youth. "You, young people, are a vital part of our Church and we admire your generosity, enthusiasm and concern for others. We commit ourselves to walk with you as you face the many pressures of life."
