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From October 10 to 24 the Synod in Rome called by Benedict XVI
The Synod for the Middle East, due to be held in Rome, 10 to 24 October 2010, is the theme of the editorial of CCEE’s “Litterae Communionis” (May-August issue) written by Youssef Soussef, Archbishop of the Maronites of Cyprus, Secretary for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East. Follows an excerpt.Today, the Church in the Middle East is called, through the Synod, to re-read the history of its mission. It is called to keep alive the spirit of communion as a sign of hope in the face of the current challenges which present themselves to the world, such as the conflict of cultures, the reconciliation of peoples, peace in justice …, andwhere Christian experience has much to offer in building the logic of love and strengthening the experiences of peace and reconciliation. Therefore the baptised are called to present to the world, by their lives, a beautiful icon of living side-by-side based on spiritual, human and cultural values, an icon of the dialogue of life, respect for the human person and his / her liberty. From Christians the Middle East awaits a strong contribution in building the culture of forgiveness and peace.There are various challenges facing such a presence, such a mission. The text of theInstrumentum laboris mentions the political situation in the area and the various conflicts which have a direct influence on Christians who in some places are suffering, along with their fellow-citizens, situations of war. The text expands on the questionof religious freedom and freedom of conscience, absolute values for Christians, given that for many centuries in the Middle East the Church has defended this right to religious freedom and will always endorse freedom in the troubled areas. For this reason, the presence of the Church is “advantageous” not just for Christians, but also for non-Christians, in particular who believe in human and spiritual values, and who identify themselves directly or indirectly with the Church’s attitude and its witness. Therefore the presence of Christians is truly a sign and should be supported both at the level of the universal Church and at that of the international community, in order to tackle, with the local people, the socio-religious systems which are contrary to human values, the values of freedom, of dialogue and the encounter between the different cultures. Today there is a real conflict of cultures, a conflict of mindsets, a conflict of approach and vision, even within religion itself. Christianity has so much to say and do. […] Any type of closure, any type of extremism damages human society. Only dialogue based on freedom of conscience and love can build a balanced, developed and peaceful society, where the spiritual aspect is an essential part of its structure and promotes a positive modernity which edifies the human person in the totality of his / her mission. The great challenge of the emigration of Christians is seen in this context. Their absence is a loss not just to the Christian communities, but for everyone. The possibility of a meeting of cultures is lost. The opportunity for a dialogue of life between people is lost.[…] Ahead of the Synod experience, the Church in Europe is called to live the event with an attitude of spiritual, ecclesial and socio-cultural solidarity. This solidarity has the aim of helping Christians to remain in their countries, so that their presencemay contribute, along with all the other cultures, to maintaining vital room for living side-by-side, to witnessing to the values of the gospel. The Synod is an opportunity to get to know the different realities of the Churches in the Middle East, their spiritual and liturgical patrimony, their history, taking into account that a good number of the faithful of these Churches are already living in Europe. Such knowledge enriches the experience of communion and strengthens the meaning of Church, “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic”. On the other hand, knowledge of the Christians in the Middle East provides an opportunity for European Christians to get to know better the Muslims who come from the countries where the two religions have lived side-by-side in a spirit of co-existence, despite hard and difficult times. Europe and the Church in Europe could also offer a great example to the different realities in the Middle East, where Chritians are not visitors but historically and socially indigenous citizens; this exampleembraces human and cultural values, the respect for freedom and the dignity of the human person. Therefore the Synod is a true ecclesial space of communion and testimony of the Risen Christ in the region where he became flesh and gave us life and where we are the witnesses to this.
