Pope Benedict XVI is shown reading the bible in a live television feed projected inside the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Rome Oct. 5. The pope kicked off a Bible-reading marathon on Italian television. The pope read for several minutes from the Book of Genesis from his apartment at the Vatican, while other speakers read in the basilica. (CNS photo/Alessandro De Meo, Reuters)

Israeli Rabbi Shear-Yashuv Cohen is interviewed by a television crew at his hotel in Rome Oct. 6, the day he became the first Jew to address a worldwide Synod of Bishops. Rabbi Cohen asked synod members to speak out against anti-Semitism and attacks on the state of Israel. (CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters)

The image of Pope Benedict XVI reading the Bible on a live television feed is projected inside the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Rome Oct. 5. Pope Benedict XVI kicked off a Bible-reading marathon Oct. 5 on Italian television. The pope read for several minutes from the start of the Book of Genesis live from his apartment at the Vatican while other speakers read in the Basilica of Holy Cross. (CNS photo/Alessandro De Meo, Reuters)

Italian actor Roberto Benigni reads from the Book of Genesis for a live TV broadcast inside the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Rome Oct. 5. Pope Benedict XVI kicked off a Bible reading marathon Oct. 5 on Italian television. The pope read for several minutes from the start of the Book of Genesis live from his apartment at the Vatican while other speakers read in the Basilica of Holy Cross. (CNS photo/Alessandro De Meo, Reuters)

Bishops listen to Pope Benedict XVI during the opening meeting of the Synod of the Bishops at the Vatican Oct. 6. The focus of the gathering was "The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church." (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI blesses with holy water during the Oct. 5 opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the Bible at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. (CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

An Italian cardinal who repeatedly pushed for a synod on the Bible said he hopes the October gathering of bishops will focus on practical pastoral initiatives to bring Catholics closer to the Scriptures. Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, retired archbishop of Milan, told the Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica that too many Catholics still do not read the Bible alone or in groups. (CNS photo illustration/Nancy Wiechec)

 

From the Synod - October 25th
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

The Synod Fathers gathered in the Aula for the last time today. We have come to know the place well and, even more, the people who have shared this wonderful experience. Over the three weeks, we have come to know each other and we have become friends.


The final reading of the propositions, now 55 of them, took place. This has always been a part of the Synod process, the public reading in Latin of the final text. While long and somewhat tedious, this official reading makes the final work of the Synod a matter of record.


Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the Relator General, and Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Special Secretary, alternated the reading of the propositions as the Synod Fathers read along either in Latin or Italian. Amendments, of which there were a number, were marked in italics so one could easily see what had been modified by the amendment process.

MORE

Pope closes synod,
says Bible is put into practice
through service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI closed the Synod of Bishops on the Bible by preaching a lesson on love of God and neighbor, saying the word of God must be put into practice through service to others.

The concluding liturgy came after the pope accepted 55 final synod propositions, including a proposal that women be admitted to the official ministry of lector, or Scripture reader, at Mass.

Joined by more than 250 bishops at a Mass Oct. 26 in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope said the synod had highlighted a fundamental truth: that the church's missionary activity will fall flat unless it is nourished by scriptural reading and understanding.

MORE

Pope to visit Africa
in March to help prepare
for October synod

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI announced that he plans to make his first trip to Africa next March, visiting Cameroon and Angola.

The pope will make the trip to help prepare for the Synod of Bishops on Africa, scheduled for October 2009, and to mark the 500th anniversary of the evangelization of Angola.

MORE

Synod message says each
Catholic should own
-- and use -- Bible

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Devotion to the word of God must lead Catholics to prayer, concrete acts of charity, unity with other Christians and dialogue with all people of good will, said the world Synod of Bishops.

In their final message to the world's Catholics, the 253 members of the synod said each Catholic should have a copy of the Bible, read it and pray with it regularly.

"Every home should have its own Bible and safeguard it in a visible and dignified way, to read it and to pray with it," said the synod's message, released Oct. 24.

MORE

Baghdad cardinal hopes tragedy of
Mosul Christians will waken world

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad, Iraq, said he hoped the tragedy of violence and threats against Christians in Mosul finally would spur world leaders to work together to bring peace to his country.

The Chaldean Catholic patriarch, who was attending the Oct. 5-26 Synod of Bishops on the Bible, said he was thankful for the increased attention and concern for the plight of his country's Christians.

MORE

From the Synod - October 23rd
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

Our four relators, one from each language group – French, Spanish, Italian/German and English – worked all morning, reviewing one-third of the innumerable amendments to the propositions that came from the small groups.

Some amendments offered minor changes or deletions, while others sought to rewrite the proposition and express the same thoughts held in it in a more comprehensive and clearer way.

The General Relator and Special Secretary have the final say on what amendments will be accepted. Tomorrow, we will receive the final list of propositions for voting “Placet” (Yes) or “Non Placet ” (No). The vote will determine which of the 53 propositions will be brought to the Holy Father for consideration as he writes his post-synodal exhortation.

MORE

Knights leader asks synod to consider
linking Mass readings, catechism

ROME (CNS) -- The head of one of the largest, most active groups of lay Catholics asked the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible to consider drafting a book that would help priests and laypeople link the Sunday Bible readings to the teachings in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the 1.75 million-member Knights of Columbus, made the suggestion Oct. 21 when he addressed the synod as one of the observers appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.

MORE

From the Synod - October 22nd
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

Today, we worked in the circulo minore (small groups) to formulate amendments to the propositions that were presented to the Synod Fathers yesterday.

We have a very active group that includes Synod Fathers from several different countries, as well as experts and auditors who have been very engaged in the discussions. It is interesting that many of the Synod Fathers studied at the Biblicum (Pontifical Biblical Institute), a place of advanced study in the bible located in Rome. They have spent years studying the Word of God, so they have brought expert background to our reflections.

MORE

Blogging bishop welcomes idea of personal papal blog

ROME (CNS) -- Someone at the Synod of Bishops on the Bible suggested that Pope Benedict XVI start his own blog, and a blogging U.S. bishop thinks it's a good idea.

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told Catholic News Service a papal blog might make the teaching pope more accessible to a wider audience.

Bishop Kicanas has been blogging on the synod since his arrival in Rome Oct. 4. His first post described the early arrival of his luggage as a "miracle" and included a picture of the view of St. Peter's dome from his room.

MORE

Philippine bishop:
Simple programs make Bible part of daily life

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Making the word of God an integral part of people's lives requires simple, practical programs, not "grandiose and unattainable" plans, said Bishop Luis Tagle of Imus, Philippines.

He said the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible was providing serious and realistic ideas for strengthening people's relationship with Scripture.

Synod members realize their task is not just to help the faithful get their hands on the Bible and read it more often, he said, but also to foster a yearning "to encounter the Lord who speaks and reveals so many beautiful things about life -- the meaning of life -- in his very own words."

MORE

Catholics know Bible from their liturgies,
says Washington prelate

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics know the word of God, they just don't read their Bibles, said Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington.

But the archbishop said he hopes their reading habits will change after the world Synod of Bishops on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."

Archbishop Wuerl, who is attending his fourth synod, said that while the 1990 synod on priestly formation was probably the most practical, the synod on the Bible likely will be the most creative.

MORE

From the Synod - October 21st
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

Over the last two days, the relators of the small groups, of which I am one, worked to bring the various propositions recommended by our respective language groups into a unified set of propositions that today were presented to the Synod Fathers.



Seeing how hard we had to work to unify some 200 propositions into a manageable number for consideration, I can understand even more directly the challenges of working in our global society that is made up of so many languages, cultures, perspectives and experiences. We certainly experienced those challenges!

MORE

Synod on Bible can 'change Catholic culture,'
says Ottawa archbishop

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The world Synod of Bishops on the Bible "is meant to change Catholic culture," said Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa.

All Catholics should have a Bible, all Catholics should read the Bible and all Catholics need to have regular prayer experiences where they "open the book and let it become the word of God" speaking to them, he told reporters Oct. 21.

The archbishop met journalists shortly after the synod leadership had presented the first draft of propositions the synod members will ask Pope Benedict XVI to consider when writing his traditional post-synodal document.

MORE

Bible guide for journalists is also
popular resource for others

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While the 253 members of the world Synod of Bishops were discussing practical, pastoral ways to improve Catholics' use of the Bible, members of the Bible Society of England and Wales were trying to help journalists do the same.

The British Bible Society, an affiliate of the United Bible Societies, has published The Bible Style Guide, a 74-page book of quick Bible facts, definitions of biblical terms and explanations of how different Christians approach the Scriptures.

Claire Smith, the society's director of communications, said the free, downloadable version of the book -- available at www.biblesociety.org.uk/biblestyleguide.pdf -- is the most popular page on the society's Web site.

MORE

Christians must help world understand Bible,
says Orthodox patriarch

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Sitting below Michelangelo's massive fresco of "The Last Judgment," the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople said divided Christians must be changed by God's word and must work harder to bring the joy of the Resurrection to all creation.

"We must experience radical 'metanoia' -- a conversion of attitudes, habits and practices -- for ways that we have misused or abused God's word, God's gifts and God's creation," Patriarch Bartholomew told the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

MORE

 

 

From the Synod - October 17th
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

Our small language group - English Group B - has had very productive, rich and wide ranging discussions. We have identified a number of critical areas that would be the subject of propositions that will be considered by the Synod Fathers for presentation to the Synod Commission and the Holy Father, who will use those propositions to formulate his post-synodal exhortation.


Each of the 12 language groups reported this morning on their work. As relator, I reported for our group. While the individual interventions made by the Synod Fathers are given while seated, these summary group reports are given from the dais.

The experience for me was not unlike a meeting of our U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops where one talks facing the room full of bishops, except here the Pope is present - a little more unnerving. I had a hard time staying within the 10 minutes allotted for the presentation.


MORE

Women of the Bible
held wide range of roles
throughout history

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Benedictine Sister Ruth Fox likes to tell stories about women. Not just any women, but women of the Bible.

She talks about Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus, two women who put their lives at risk by defying the pharaoh's law of death in order to uphold God's law of life.

Then there's the prophet Huldah -- one of few women or men called a prophet -- who made history, as told in Chapter 22 of the Second Book of Kings, by verifying the authenticity of an ancient scroll discovered in the Temple.

MORE

Can't wait for the book?
See the Bible at the movies or on TV

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- It's no secret that the Bible has long offered filmmakers a wealth of rich source material. The stories contained within this cornerstone of Judeo-Christian faith and pillar of Western literature provide an apparently irresistible mix of saints and sinners to those rapacious Tinseltown moguls always on the lookout for crowd pleasers in the public domain.

In his 1997 "Jesus at the Movies," W. Barnes Tatum points out that within three years of the invention of cinema there were as many versions of the Passion narrative committed to film. The Crucifixion also figures in D.W. Griffith's 1916 epic, "Intolerance."

MORE

From the Synod - October 15th
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

Each of the 253 bishops, 37 auditors and 11 fraternal delegates from other faiths who wanted to offer an intervention has now done so. While listening to all of the five-minute reflections has been a lengthy process, some clear themes have emerged for the next phase of the Synod’s work - the development of propositions to be voted on by the Synod Fathers.

As I reviewed my notes and reflections over the past week and a half, it seemed to me that some helpful recommendations have been made. While all these recommendations may not make it into the Post Synodal Exhortation that will be issued by Pope Benedict XVI, I think they will be helpful to us as we consider how to make the Word live in our Diocese.

Here are some of the themes and their associated recommendations and observations that I heard:

MORE

U.S. cardinal says priests must prioritize, devote time to homilies

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although today's priests often are burdened by heavy schedules, they need to make Sunday preaching a priority and take the time to create intelligent and inspiring homilies, said Texas Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston.

Cardinal DiNardo said the improvement of homilies was one of the biggest concerns to emerge during the first half of the Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

Better homiletics courses in seminaries have been suggested, but at a more basic level the solution requires a time investment by priests, the cardinal said in an interview with Catholic News Service Oct. 15.

MORE

Some prelates say private Bible reading
just first step for Catholics

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Private Bible reading is important, but for Catholics it is just the first step toward understanding the word of God, said several members of the world Synod of Bishops.

During the first 10 days of the Oct. 5-26 synod on the Bible, a recurring theme in the synod hall was the tension several bishops see between some schools of biblical scholarship and the traditional faith of the church.

MORE

Synod official summarizes talks,
offers questions for small groups

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The word of God must be heard, understood, loved and shared, and that will require new efforts on the part of theologians and biblical scholars, bishops, priests, deacons, artists and all the Catholic faithful, said Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec.

After members of the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible gave more than 200 speeches Oct. 6-15, Cardinal Ouellet -- the synod's recording secretary -- read a 20-page Latin summary of the presentations and offered synod members 19 questions as a starting point for their small-group discussions.

The small groups were to begin meeting Oct. 16 to draft proposals to present to Pope Benedict XVI as the basis of the document he is expected to write after the synod.

The questions included:

MORE

Traditional Chinese wisdom contains seeds of word of God, says Cardinal

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the good of Chinese society and the defense of people, the Catholic Church must engage in dialogue and work with those who defend the traditional values found in Confucianism, said Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong.

Cardinal Zen told the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible Oct. 15 that, before being written as the Scriptures and incarnated in the person of Jesus, the word of God was the force that created beauty, the universe and the human person.

And, he said, the traditional Chinese wisdom founded in and fostered by Confucianism contains the "seeds of the word" of God that the Second Vatican Council said are present in religions and cultures.

MORE

Art as bridge to Scripture
emerges as a topic at Synod of Bishops

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The use of art as a bridge to Scripture and faith has emerged as a significant subtheme at the Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

Bishop Friedhelm Hofmann of Wurzburg, Germany, told the synod that the history of Christian architecture, figurative art, music and literature offered a valuable resource, one that should be used to incite the curiosity of people who do not attend church.

Using artistic works can help explain the importance of "Christian culture" and eventually lead people to the faith, he said Oct. 11. At the same time, the church should reach out to artists and involve them in the proclamation of the word of God, he said.

MORE

U.S. cardinal emphasizes how to listen to, proclaim Gospel

ROME (CNS) -- How to listen well to the word of God and how to proclaim it well have emerged as the key questions for the Synod of Bishops on the Bible, said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago.

Both challenges call for improved individual preparation as well as a broader effort to shape culture in a way that recovers biblical literacy, he said.

Cardinal George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke in an interview Oct. 13 with Catholic News Service in Rome, where he was attending the Oct. 5-26 synod.

After the synod heard more than 150 speeches during its first week, Cardinal George said one clear concern was improved training for the "world of proclaimers" -- particularly in the preparation priests and seminarians receive on how to preach Scripture.

MORE

From the Synod - October 14th
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

Today’s session involved not only comments from Bishops but also interventions by the Pope himself, along with religious women and men, and laity who comprise the auditors invited to attend the Synod.

The Holy Father, a master teacher, focused his reflection on the historical-critical and theological-spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures. In a clear, concise, and lucid way, Benedict opened up this complex and critical point in dealing with the Word of God. He emphasized that the historical-critical and theological-spiritual forms of exegesis are both necessary. Alone the historical-critical methodology is not sufficient, although important. If one attends only to the historical-critical approach to the Bible, the Scriptures become a book of the past with nothing to say to the exigencies of the day. The Bible becomes pure history and nothing more.

MORE

Bishops tell how Sunday liturgy
centers on Bible for many Catholics

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For millions of Catholics around the world, the Sunday liturgy is a service revolving totally around reading the Bible because there are not enough priests to celebrate the Eucharist each week.

During the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible, church leaders from Latin America, Africa and Asia praised the work of the catechists or "delegates of the word" who lead the Sunday services and called for better training for them.

Bishop Guido Plante of Choluteca, Honduras, said that since the first 17 lay "delegates of the word of God" were sent out in 1966 to lead Holy Week celebrations in isolated villages of Honduras more than 10,000 laypeople have been trained and sent out in Honduras and neighboring countries.

MORE

Texas cardinal describes Bible Belt as 'frame of mind'

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Bible Belt refers geographically to parts of the southern United States, but it is also "a frame of mind" in which Bible passages and images are alive and relevant to life, said Texas Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston.

The cardinal addressed the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible Oct. 11, sharing stories of faith from his region and suggesting the Catholic Church draw up a "compendium for the reading and sharing of sacred Scripture."

Cardinal DiNardo said the document should be addressed to the faithful, not experts, and should "highlight the rich and useful methods and approaches in the church, past and present, for reading, interpreting, praying and living the word of God."

MORE

From the Synod - October 13th
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

After a day of rest, the Synod Fathers took their places in the Synod Aula to continue our work on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. The Synod process models an important teaching for all of us, a teaching first introduced by St. Benedict who insisted that every monk, no matter how young, should bring his voice to the discussion. How important that is both on the diocesan and parish level. We need to listen to our people, let them voice their opinion and learn from their insights. Each has something to say.

So far we have heard almost 200 five-minute presentations. While that might seem as if it would be boring and tedious (there have been such times for sure), it has been more than anything fascinating to hear the topic each bishop chooses from the Instrumentum and how he expands on that theme, most often based on his pastoral experience.

Today we heard how Sacred Scripture is the background for the Church’s teaching on social justice. So many sections of the Bible emphasize the exercise of charity. Specifically one of the Synod Fathers talked about welcoming the stranger, the immigrant, the person on the move.

MORE

Patriarchs invite synod members to Mideast to discover land of Bible

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The patriarch of the Melkite Catholic Church, who lives in Syria, and the Latin-rite patriarch of Jerusalem invited members of the Synod of Bishops on the Bible to visit them and discover how living in the land of the Bible can make its words come alive.

Melkite Patriarch Gregoire III Laham of Damascus, Syria, and Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem addressed the synod Oct. 10, extending invitations but also talking about some of the challenges Christians in the Holy Land are facing.

Patriarch Laham told the synod: "The word of God unites us; it reinforces our faith. We must not be afraid to love the word of God, to share it with our brothers and sisters."

MORE

Ecumenical delegates tell synod
Bible unites Christians

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Bible unites Christians, calls them to task for the divisions they have allowed to endure and urges them to reach out to the world's poor and suffering, said ecumenical delegates to the world Synod of Bishops.

Many Catholic members of the synod speaking Oct. 7-9 praised Protestant groups for their work in distributing Bibles and expressed admiration for the centrality their churches give to the word of God.

MORE

Each Catholic should have a Bible,
says Nigerian bishop

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Love and appreciation for the Bible are aided by encouraging Catholics to own a Bible even if they are unable to read it, said a Nigerian archbishop.

In his Oct. 9 address to the Synod of Bishops on the Bible, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos said sometimes the church in Nigeria requires that people have a Bible before they can be baptized, confirmed or married.

MORE

Synod members say
Bible experience must move from head to heart

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics need better formation in sacred Scripture but without putting so much emphasis on knowledge that the word of God is prevented from entering people's hearts, several members told the world Synod of Bishops.

Bishop David Walker of Broken Bay, Australia, told the synod Oct. 9 that today's priests and seminarians are educated better than ever, especially in the scientific study of Scriptures.

MORE

From the Synod - October 9th
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica are major destinations for visitors to Rome. Catholics and non-Catholics marvel at the majesty and beauty – the graciousness of the colonnades, the fountains, the incredible history.

As you turn toward St. Peter’s, there are always several women and even children begging, a reminder of the Scripture passage that refers to those begging at the gate. Several times in the Synod so far, bishops in their interventions have held up the poor as those for whom the Word holds special meaning.

The Word moves us to see the poor, hear their cry and respond to them in love. How many saints have heard the Word and turned their lives around, giving themselves over to working among the poor – Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta perhaps the most striking example. She lived for others, especially those in need. Her care grew out of her deep love of the Lord grounded in the Word.

MORE

From the Synod - October 8th
ON THE BLOG: Bishop Kicanas

Before going over to the Synod Hall for our morning session, I was reading in Bishop Henry Granjon’s diary about his pastoral visit to southwest New Mexico in 1902. Father Greg Adolf, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Sierra Vista had given the diary to me on the occasion of the dedication of our new Archives.

Bishop Granjon had come to our Diocese as a young priest from France and became the second Bishop of Tucson. It was a delight reading his account of his ministry. He spoke with pride about his people. His descriptions of the land, starkly beautiful in its barren remoteness, reminded me of where I have come to feel at home – in our Sonoran Desert.

A bishop becomes one with his people and the place he is called to serve. I can see that here at the Synod as bishops talk about their particular local Church and the preoccupations they have with serving the pastoral the needs of their people. That was certainly true of Bishop Granjon, and it is still true today.

Today, we began in small language groups or what are referred to as circuli minores. There are three groups each for French, Spanish and English, two groups in Italian and one in German. Most groups number about 25 Synod Fathers and include several adiutores (specialists), auditors (observers) and fraternal delegates from other faiths.

MORE

Some bishops tell synod reverence for Bible
is not seen as priority

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In its rules for celebrating Mass and in the postgraduate training it gives some of its scholars, the Catholic Church sometimes gives an impression that reverence for the word of God is not one of its top priorities, several members told the world Synod of Bishops.

Correctly interpreting Scripture and giving priority to proclaiming the word of God continued to be points of focus at the synod during its Oct. 8-9 sessions.

Bishop Colin Campbell of Dunedin, New Zealand, told the synod Oct. 8 that it has an obligation to find ways to help people hear the Scriptures as a "letter of love" addressed to them.

MORE

Homilists should use catechism to teach community,
says archbishop

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Homilists should use the Catechism of the Catholic Church to help their congregations see the relevance of the day's Scripture readings and recognize the fact that Catholics read them as part of a church community, said Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington.

Archbishop Wuerl spoke during the Oct. 8 evening session of the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

MORE

U.S. cardinal elected moderator of one of 12 synod discussion groups

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was one of 12 discussion-group moderators elected at the Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

Cardinal George was chosen Oct. 8 to lead one of three English-language groups, and Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tuscon, Ariz., USCCB vice president, was elected as the group's recording secretary.

MORE

Prayer, homilies, understanding
emerge as early themes at Bible synod

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Learning to pray with the Scriptures, improving homilies and ensuring an accurate interpretation of Bible passages were the major themes of formal presentations, open discussion and small-group work Oct. 7-8 at the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

Canadian Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, the synod's English-language briefing officer, said the three concerns came up repeatedly during the Oct. 7 open-mike discussion in the synod hall and in small groups Oct. 8.

MORE

Reading Bible well requires ability to listen,
Philippine bishop says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Reading Scripture well requires the ability to listen, something that is increasingly difficult in today's self-absorbed world, a Philippine bishop told the Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

The short speech by Bishop Luis Tagle of Imus Oct. 7 was one of few synod interventions to draw applause, ending with a call for the church to "listen the way God listens" and become a voice for the poor and suffering.

Bishop Tagle was one of 23 bishops who took the floor on the first day of individual speeches limited to five minutes each.

MORE

Pope, synod members get limited edition polyglot Bible

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI and participants in the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible received a limited edition polyglot Bible from the American Bible Society.

Only 1,000 copies of the gilt-edge, deep-red, leather-bound volumes were printed to commemorate this year's synod dedicated to sacred Scripture and to mark the start of increased cooperation between the interdenominational society and the Vatican.

MORE

Preaching should change lives, inspire, U.S. bishop tells synod

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After the current church year dedicated to St. Paul, the Catholic Church should dedicate a year to the art of preaching, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., told the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

"Unfortunately, preaching in our day can lose its savor, become formulaic and uninspired, leaving the hearer empty," Bishop Kicanas, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told synod members meeting to discuss "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."

Bishop Kicanas and Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, USCCB president, were among the 23 synod members to address the assembly Oct. 7.

MORE

Synod participants call for emphasis on Bible's spiritual dimension

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Greater emphasis is needed on the spiritual dimension of the Bible and how God uses Scripture to communicate his love for humanity, said two members of the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, the synod's recording secretary, told journalists at an Oct. 6 press conference the theme of the spiritual sense of Scripture deserves to get a lot of attention during the Oct. 5-26 synod on the Bible.

The faithful should have a more contemplative rather than solely intellectual relationship with the word of God, he said.

MORE

Synod aims to help people listen to God in Bible, says cardinal

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus, Christians must learn how to listen to what God is saying to them today in the Scriptures, said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec.

The cardinal, recording secretary of the Oct. 5-26 world Synod of Bishops on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church," outlined the main themes for the synod's debate during an Oct. 6 speech in Latin.

MORE

Scripture is essential to church's evangelizing mission, pope says

ROME (CNS) -- At a Mass to open the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible, Pope Benedict XVI said knowledge of Scripture was essential to the church's evangelizing mission in an increasingly godless society.

"It is indispensable that the church know and live that which she proclaims, so that her preaching is credible, despite the weaknesses and poverty of her members," the pope said Oct. 5 at the Roman Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

"Only the word of God can profoundly change the heart of man," he said. The need for such conversion is great in today's confused society, in which human beings sometimes proclaim themselves "the only masters of creation," he said.

MORE

Pope explains history, importance of synod meetings

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- At the beginning of the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible, Pope Benedict XVI explained why he thinks such meetings are important.

He did it in typical Benedict style -- reviewing a bit of church history and explaining the roots of the Greek word "synodos" to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.

The basic role of the Synod of Bishops, held every three years or so, is to advise the pope and solidify church communion, the pope said Oct. 5.

MORE