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   FIRST GENERAL CONGREGATION   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 11 OCT 2010 (VIS) - The first General Congregation of the Special   
   Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East was held this morning in   
   the Synod Hall. The meeting was presided by the Pope.   
      
   Benedict XVI made some brief opening remarks in which he recalled how on this   
   day, 11 October, in the year 1962, Pope John XXIII officially opened Vatican   
   Council II.   
      
   Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches   
   and president delegate on duty, also pronounced some brief words at the   
   beginning of this morning's session.   
      
   Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, then   
   arose to address the assembly, explaining the preparations for this special   
   assembly, which Benedict XVI announced on 19 September 2009 during his meeting   
   with Catholic patriarchs and major archbishops from the Oriental Churches.   
      
   His Beatitude Antonios Naguib, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, Egypt,   
   relator general of the synod then read out the "Relatio ante disceptationem",   
   (report before the discussion) extracts of the English translation of which are   
   given below:   
      
   A. THE GOAL OF THE SYNOD   
      
   The twofold aim of the Synod was well received and appreciated in our Catholic   
   Churches, namely:   
      
   1) To confirm and strengthen the Church's members in their Christian identity,   
   through the Word of God and the Sacraments.   
      
   2) To foster ecclesial communion between the "sui iuris" Churches, so that they   
   may offer an authentic and effective witness. Essential elements in this   
   witness are ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue and the missionary effort.   
      
   I. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST   
      
   A. THE SITUATION OF CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST   
      
   Knowledge of the history of Christianity in the Middle East is important for   
   us, as it is for the rest of the Christian world. ... Our Churches, blessed by   
   the presence of Christ and the Apostles, were the cradle of Christianity and   
   the home of the first generations of Christians. For this reason, our Churches   
   are called to keep alive the memory of the Church's beginnings, to strengthen   
   the faith of their members and to renew in them the spirit of the Gospel, so   
   that God's Word might guide their lives and relations with others, both   
   Christians and non-Christians alike.   
      
   Christians are "native citizens" in their countries, members with full rights   
   in their civic communities. They consider themselves "at home", and have   
   oftentimes lived in countries for a considerable length of time. Their presence   
   and participation in the life of a country are a valuable treasure to be   
   protected and maintained. A positive secularism would permit an effective and   
   fruitful contribution of the Church and help strengthen the idea of   
   citizenship, founded on the principles of equality and democracy.   
      
   Through the presentation of the social doctrine of the Church, our communities   
   offer a valuable contribution to building society. Promotion of the family and   
   the defence of life need to be central in our Church's teaching and mission   
   programmes. Education is a privileged part of our activity and a major   
   investment.   
      
   B. THE CHALLENGES FACING CHRISTIANS   
      
   The socio-political situations of our countries directly affect Christians, who   
   more deeply feel their negative aspects. In the Palestinian Territories life is   
   very difficult and often unsustainable. The position of Christian Arabs is a   
   very delicate one. While condemning violence whatever its origin and calling   
   for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we express   
   our solidarity with the Palestinian people, whose situation today is   
   particularly conducive to the rise of fundamentalism. Listening to the voice of   
   local Christians could help in better understanding the situation.   
   Consideration should be given to the important status of the city of Jerusalem   
   for the three religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism.   
      
   It is regrettable that world politics does not sufficiently take into account   
   the plight of Christians in Iraq, who are the primary victims of the war and   
   its consequences. In Lebanon, greater unity between Christians would help   
   ensure greater stability in the country. In Egypt, the Churches would greatly   
   benefit from co-ordinating their efforts in strengthening the faith of the   
   faithful and collaborating in works for the good of the country. According to   
   the means available in each country, Christians should foster democracy,   
   justice, peace and a "positive secularism" which distinguishes between the   
   State and religion and respects all religions. Both the Church and society need   
   to respond positively and dutifully.   
      
   The promotion of human rights requires peace, justice and stability.   
      
   Religious freedom is an essential component of human rights. Freedom of worship   
   is but one aspect of freedom of religion. In most of our countries, freedom of   
   worship is guaranteed by the constitution. But even in this case, certain laws   
   or practices in some countries limit its application. Another aspect is freedom   
   of conscience, based on a person's free will. Its absence impedes freedom of   
   choice in those who wish to follow the Gospel, yet fear various acts of   
   harassment to themselves and their families.   
      
   Freedom of conscience can develop and exist only in relation to the growth of   
   respect for human rights in their completeness and entirety.   
      
   In this regard, education towards greater justice and equality under the law is   
   a precious contribution to the cultural progress of a country. The Catholic   
   Church firmly condemns all proselytism. Perhaps some profit can result from   
   calmly considering these questions, and ... from finding occasions for dialogue   
   in each country. The Church's many educational institutions are an important   
   instrument in this field. Health centres and social services are also an   
   eloquent witness of love for one's neighbour, without distinction or   
   discrimination. Promoting days, events and celebrations dedicated to these   
   topics, at the local and international level, helps spread and reinforce the   
   positive aspects of culture, which should also be propagated by the mass media.   
      
   Today, emigration in our countries has increased primarily as a result of the   
   Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Iraq, adverse political and economic   
   situations, the rise of Muslim fundamentalism and the restriction of freedom   
   and equality. Young people, educated persons and affluent people form the   
   majority of those leaving, thus depriving the Church and the country of   
   valuable resources.   
      
   At the same time, emigration brings notable support to the Middle Eastern   
   countries and the Churches. The Church in the country of origin must seek to   
   maintain strong ties with the emigrating faithful and ensure their spiritual   
   assistance. It is essential to provide the liturgy, in their respective rites,   
   to the faithful of the Eastern Churches who find themselves in Latin   
   territories. ... The communities of the diaspora have the task of promoting and   
   consolidating the Christian presence in the Middle East by strengthening   
   Christian witness and supporting causes for the good of the country or the   
   region. Appropriate pastoral activity should take into account emigration   
   within the country.   
      
   C. THE RESPONSE OF CHRISTIANS IN DAILY LIFE   
      
   II. ECCLESIAL COMMUNION   
      
   Diversity in the Catholic Church, far from a detriment, is a source of   
   enhancement.   
      
   A. COMMUNION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND AMONG THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES   
      
   The principal signs expressing communion in the Catholic Church are: Baptism,   
   the Eucharist and communion with the Bishop of Rome, Coryphaeus of the Apostles   
   ("hamat ar-Rusul"). The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches regulates the   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)