Three keywords

“The Church is not concentrated on herself, but considers herself engaged in a mission to the whole world. Hence, three keywords: dialogue, culture, commitment”. That’s the gist of the Report summing up the discussion that took place in the synod hall during the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God (5-26 October). “The Gospel removes nothing from man’s freedom; nor does it lessen the respect that is owing to cultures, or diminish the good that is present in every religion. In dialogue, it’s important to propose without imposing, and to consider each other as interlocutors. And the Christian must be ready to speak and to listen, to give and to receive”. We have chosen for the front page of this number of SirEurope some excerpts from the “report after the discussion” relating to ecumenical dialogue, the dialogue with Jews, interfaith dialogue, and the dialogue with cultures, as a contribution to the reflection that Europe is conducting in 2008, European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The Word of God and the ecumenical link. “In spite of the fruits of brotherhood produced by ecumenical meetings and dialogue, a certain malaise can be felt today. It requires a deeper conversion to spiritual ecumenism. The Synod strongly emphasizes the sacramental dimension of the Word of God. Listening to the Scriptures together introduces us to an anticipation of unity, imperfect perhaps, but real. Even if, historically, at the roots of the divisions between Christians there were controversies based on fundamental biblical texts, the fact remains that the Bible is truly a terrain of unity on which to overcome the scandal of division” (no. 36)The Word of God, source of dialogue between Christians and Jews. “The dialogue between Christians and Jews, our elder brothers, touches the very heart of the Church and the mystery of the faith. Jesus and the Twelve were Jews by birth. The Holy Land was the first cradle of the Church. The relation between Christians and Jews should be turned into a theme that regards all Christians, and not just specialists in dialogue. And that implies concrete attitudes,… it demands that we hold firm to the survival of the Jewish people; accept the universal dimension of Judaism; avoid any theology of substitution;… and share with the Jewish people the eschatological hope”. (no. 37) The Word of God and interfaith dialogue. “In all the main religions a common denominator is found: respect for the sacred books. On this basis, we can undertake an examination of conscience on our way of using the Bible… In particular, important common denominators make possible and fruitful a dialogue with Islam, it too in some way rooted in the biblical tradition… Dialogue (with Muslims) is more important than ever, in current circumstances, with a view to promoting together social justice, moral values, peace and freedom for the benefit of all mankind. Nonetheless, our sometimes difficult relations require a prudent attitute and suitable words, in the framework of an inter-religious dialogue that is open but true, and remote from accommodating discourses. It was suggested that a “Forum of the Word of God”, be held at which Christians and Muslims could meet, discuss and meditate together”. (no. 38) The Word of God and cultures. The Word of God also has a link with modern cultures: it can and must be a ferment of them… Hence the need for Christians to foster a constant dialogue between faith and reason, to be present in all the scenes of public life and to give witness of Christian faith both in word and deed”. The Word of God and the call to commitment. “The need was emphasized for a closer connection between the study of Scriptures and the study of the social doctrine of the Church: preferential option for the poor and the excluded, promotion of justice, equality and dignity for all, universal destination of goods… Summing up the current situation, one bishop declared: the world is our altar”.