A climate of unity” “” “

Continuity with the themes of the Instrumentum Laboris, a good deal of attention to reflection that helps “the bishop to understand the origins of his vocation”, and not least a climate of great love and unity that are striking, given that in the past “there have been moments in which there was less unity”. These were among the most significant aspects of the Synod in the view of Msgr. Amedée Grab, bishop of Coira and President of the Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE), who met with journalists to review the work of the Synod of Bishops, which is now approaching its end. But the most significant aspect of all, in his view, was the “theme of the Pope’s communion with the bishops”. In this regard Msgr. Grab recalled that “the bishop must cultivate the relationship with his parish priests, just as the Pope must keep alive the relationship with the bishops”, a concept which needs to be integrated with those of “collegiality and subsidiarity”, both from the “theological and sociological” points of view. Given the importance of these aspects, Msgr. Grab also believes it is crucial for the bishops to forge better relations with the oriental Churches. At the present Synod – he pointed out – “the Patriarch has been present to represent his whole Church. In this regard it is very important that, in our relations with the oriental Churches, we succeed in understanding the importance of their internal hierarchies, a fundamental element”. Speaking of the ideal profile of the bishop, the CCEE President remarked that “it is impossible to furnish a complete list of the qualities that the bishop ought to have and the tasks he ought to discharge. It is easier to identify the things he ought not to do on any account: being partisan, being indifferent, or behaving in a way offensive to man”. On the other hand, “the bishop’s profile varies from country to country, shaped as it is by various cultural conceptions: in many countries he is a adviser; in others, as in Africa, he fulfils the role of father figure in a more decisive manner”. And it was on the situation in Africa that Msgr. Grab focused by recalling the recent case of the Nigerian priests formed in Europe, who asked to remain in Switzerland. In the view of the bishop of Coira: “The role of the bishop is different in Switzerland than it is in Africa. So to the declaration of the African priests who say they want to remain in Switzerland, to be able to repay all the good that has been lavished on them, we should reply that their task is to return to their own country and perform their own mission”. Another important theme is that of the bishop as brother of the poor. Msgr. Grab explained in this regard: “Let’s take the case of the sans-papier (the clandestine immigrants) in Switzerland: each week I receive numerous letters from people who ask me for help and accuse me of injustice if I fail to devote myself to their cause. I can be a father, but I cannot contravene the Swiss laws”. The CCEE President lastly intervened on the question of terrorism and on the discussions shared on the matter in the course of the Synod: “We condemn terrorism in a total and absolute manner. There must be a decisive sanction against those who committed these acts. We know that there is injustice in the world and that all of us must do something to put it right”; on the other hand, he adds “without removing the origins of the danger of terrorism retaliation will never succeed in putting an end to the problem”. Patrizia Collesi