canonical aspects of this communion, accompanied and assisted by the   
   Congregation for the Eastern Churches and the various Roman dicasteries.   
      
   Among the Catholic Churches in the Middle East, communion is expressed by the   
   Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the Middle East (CCPO).   
      
   III. CHRISTIAN WITNESS   
      
   A. WITNESSING IN THE CHURCH: CATECHESIS   
      
   Today, catechetical activity cannot be limited to oral communication only;   
   actions are necessary. ... The new media are very effective in proclaiming and   
   bearing witness to the Gospel. Our Churches need people specialised in these   
   areas. ... Catechesis must take account of the situation of conflict in the   
   countries of the Middle East and seek to strengthen the faithful in their faith   
   and form them so that they can live the commandment of love and be builders of   
   peace, justice and forgiveness. Commitment in public life is a duty which   
   requires witness and a mission to build the Kingdom of God. This work demands a   
   formation that goes beyond confessionalism, sectarianism and internal quarrels   
   and sees God's face in each individual, and collaborates with others in   
   building a future of peace, stability and wellbeing.   
      
   B. A RENEWED LITURGY FAITHFUL TO TRADITION   
      
   In our Eastern Churches, the divine liturgy is at the centre of religious life.   
   It plays an important role in maintaining Christian identity, strengthening a   
   sense of belonging to the Church and animating a life of faith. The celebration   
   of the divine liturgy is also a source of attraction to those who may be far   
   from the faith or even disbelievers. Consequently, the liturgy is an important   
   part of the proclamation and witness of a Church which not only prays, but   
   acts.   
      
   C. ECUMENISM   
      
   Proper actions are required in the work of ecumenism: prayer, conversion,   
   sanctification and the mutual exchange of gifts, all in a spirit of respect,   
   friendship, mutual charity, solidarity and collaboration. These actions and   
   attitudes should be cultivated and encouraged through teaching and in the   
   various media outlets. An essential part of ecumenism is dialogue, which   
   requires a positive approach to understanding, listening and openness to   
   others. This leads to overcoming mistrust, working together to develop   
   religious values, joining in socially useful projects and facing shared   
   problems together.   
      
   D. RELATIONS WITH JUDAISM   
      
   The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has affected relations between Christians and   
   Jews. Several times, the Holy See has expressed its position clearly,   
   especially during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Land in 2009.   
      
   While our Churches denounce every form of anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism, they   
   acknowledge that the difficulties in relations between the Arab and Jewish   
   peoples are due to conflicting political situations, which necessitates a   
   distinction between the religious and political reality. ... Reading the Old   
   Testament and becoming more acquainted with Judaic traditions lead to a better   
   understanding of the Jewish religion, thereby offering common ground for   
   serious studies and assistance in a better understanding of the New Testament   
   and Eastern traditions. Other possibilities for collaboration are also   
   available today.   
      
   E. RELATIONS WITH MUSLIMS   
      
   The reasons to foster relations between Christians and Muslims include: their   
   status as fellow citizens and their sharing the same language and the same   
   culture, not to mention the same joys and sufferings. Furthermore, Christians   
   are called to live as witnesses of Jesus Christ in society. From its   
   beginnings, Islam has found common roots with Christianity and Judaism, as the   
   Holy Father has mentioned. Arab-Christian literature should also be given   
   greater consideration and better valued.   
      
   The Islamic religion is not a uniformity; rather, the profession of Islam has   
   confessional, cultural and ideological differences. In fact, difficulties in   
   the relations between Christians and Muslims generally arise when Muslims do   
   not distinguish between religion and politics. On this basis, Christians sense   
   an uneasiness at being considered non-citizens, despite the fact that they   
   called these countries "home" long before Islam. Christians deserve full   
   recognition, passing from being merely tolerated to a just and equal status   
   which is based on common citizenship, religious freedom and human rights.   
      
   All prejudices concerning others and any offensive talk or argumentation needs   
   to be eliminated from textbooks in schools. Instead, we should try to   
   understand the other's point of view, while respecting differences in beliefs   
   and practices.   
      
   F. WITNESSING IN SOCIETY   
      
   All citizens in our countries have to face two common challenges: peace and   
   violence. The situation of war and conflict we are experiencing spawn further   
   violence and are being exploited by world terrorist groups. Generally speaking,   
   the West is identified with Christianity, and thus the choices made by western   
   countries are wrongly taken as those of the Church, despite the fact that today   
   these governments are secular and increasingly opposed to the principles of the   
   Christian faith. This situation needs to be better understood and further   
   explanation given to the meaning of "positive secularism" which makes a   
   distinction between politics and religion.   
      
   The influence of modernisation, globalisation and secularisation in our   
   societies has an effect on the members of our Churches. ... Every national   
   constitution of the countries in the Middle East affirms the equality of all   
   citizens. However in States with a Muslim majority, apart from some exceptions,   
   Islam is the State religion and the "sharia" is the main source of legislation.   
   In some countries, or parts of them, it is applied to all citizens. ... Freedom   
   of worship is recognised but not freedom of conscience. With the increasing   
   growth of fundamentalism, attacks against Christians are on the rise.   
      
   G. THE SPECIFIC AND UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANS   
      
   The specific contribution of Christians in the society in which they live is   
   irreplaceable. Through their witness and actions, they enrich society with the   
   values Christ brought to humanity. Since many of these values are shared in   
   common with Muslims, the interest and possibility exist to promote them   
   together. Catechesis must form believers to be active citizens. Commitment to   
   social programmes and civic life without reference to Gospel-values, is a   
   counter-witness.   
      
   Service on behalf of others is a specific characteristic of our identity as   
   Christians and not to our belonging to a particular confession. Our primary   
   task is to live the faith and allow our actions to speak; to live the truth and   
   proclaim it with charity and courage; and to practice solidarity in our   
   institutions. We must live a mature faith - not a superficial one - supported   
   and animated by prayer. Our credibility requires harmony within the Church, the   
   promotion of unity among Christians and a convinced religious life which is   
   translated into real life. This eloquent witness demands education and ongoing   
   guidance for children, young people and adults.   
      
   CONCLUSION   
      
   A. WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR MIDDLE EASTERN CHRISTIANS?   
      
   Present-day situations give rise to difficulties and concerns. However,   
   empowered by the Holy Spirit and guided by the Gospel, we can face them with   
   hope and filial trust in Divine Providence. Today, though we are not   
   numerically significant in the region, our actions and witness can make us a   
   considerable presence. ... Faced with the temptation of discouragement, we need   
   to remind ourselves that we are disciples of the Risen Christ, the Conqueror of   
   sin and death.   
      
   B. HOPE   
      
   Our Churches need believers-witnesses among the pastors as well as among the   
   rest of the Church's members. The proclamation of the Good News can only be   
   fruitful, if bishops, priests, consecrated men and women and the laity are   
   aflame with the love of Christ and zealously seek to make Him known and loved.   
   We are confident that this Synod will not simply be a passing event, but one   
   which will truly allow the Spirit to move our Churches.   
   SE/VIS 20101011 ()   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)