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   SYNOD PRESENTS FORTY-FOUR PROPOSITIONS TO THE HOLY FATHER   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 23 OCT 2010 (VIS) - The working sessions of the Special Assembly   
   for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops concluded this morning with the   
   approval of forty-four propositions which the Synod Fathers have presented to   
   Benedict XVI.   
      
   By order of the Pope, a provisional and unofficial version of the propositions   
   has been made public by the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. The   
   propositions are given to the Holy Father for him to consider while preparing   
   the Apostolic Exhortation, the official closing document of a Synod.   
      
   The propositions are divided into three sections: The Christian Presence in the   
   Middle East, Ecclesial Communion, and Christian Witnesses of the Resurrection   
   and Love.   
      
   The Synod Fathers recall how "in a world marked by division and extreme   
   positions, we are called to live communion in the Church, remaining open to   
   everyone and avoiding the trap of confessionalism". They also note that "the   
   attention of the whole world should be focused on the tragic situation of   
   certain Christian communities in the Middle East which suffer all manner of   
   trials sometimes even to the point of martyrdom".   
      
   On the subject of migration, they suggest creating "an office or commission   
   entrusted with the study of the phenomenon ... and the factors behind it, so as   
   to find ways of stopping it", and doing everything possible "to boost the   
   presence of Christians in their own countries of origin".   
      
   "To better welcome and guide immigrants to the Middle East", reads another   
   proposition, "their Churches of origin are asked to maintain regular contact   
   with the host Churches, assisting them to set up the structures the immigrants   
   need".   
      
   The section dedicated to the subject of ecclesial communion speaks of communion   
   in the bosom of the Church and calls for greater pastoral care of vocations. It   
   is also suggested that greater use be made "of the Arabic language in the major   
   institutions of the Holy See and official meetings, so that Christians of Arab   
   culture have access to information from the Holy See in their mother tongue".   
      
   "With a view to the pastoral service of our faithful, wherever they are to be   
   found, and to respect the traditions of the Eastern Churches", reads another   
   proposition "it would be desirable to study the possibility of having married   
   priests outside the patriarchal territory".   
      
   The proposition dedicated to the question of ecumenism suggests "working for a   
   common date for the celebrations of Christmas and Easter", and expresses the   
   desire "to inaugurate an annual feast in common for all the martyrs of the   
   Churches of the Middle East".   
      
   In the section dedicated to Christian Witness, the Synod Fathers suggest "the   
   creation of catechetical centres where they are lacking" and highlight the   
   vital importance of "ongoing formation and collaboration between the different   
   Churches at the level of the laity, seminaries and universities".   
      
   Reiterating the importance of the communications media "for Christian formation   
   in the Middle East, as well as for the proclamation of the faith", the Synod   
   Fathers advocate "the aid and maintenance of the existing structures in this   
   area".   
      
   On the question of the family, they stress the need "to make better provisions   
   in centres for marriage preparation, counselling and guidance centres, and in   
   the spiritual and human guidance of young families. ... Child bearing and the   
   good education of children should be encouraged. The practice of home visiting   
   by pastors should be revived", they write.   
      
   The Synod Fathers "commit themselves to ensure young people have the spiritual   
   and theological formation they need" and "to build with them bridges of   
   dialogue so as to bring down the walls of division and separation in   
   societies".   
      
   Inter-religious dialogue must be strengthened so as "to strive for the   
   purification of memory through forgiveness for the events of the past, and to   
   seek a better future together".   
      
   "Initiatives of dialogue and co-operation with Jews are to be encouraged so as   
   to foster human and religious values, freedom, justice, peace and fraternity.   
   Reading the Old Testament and getting to know Jewish traditions lead to a   
   better understanding of the Jewish religion. We reject anti-Semitism and   
   anti-Judaism, while distinguishing between religion and politics", the Synod   
   Fathers say.   
      
   On the subject of relations with Muslims, the Synod Fathers highlight the   
   importance of promoting "the notion of citizenship, the dignity of the human   
   person, equal rights and duties and religious freedom, including both freedom   
   of worship and freedom of conscience". They note how "Christians in the Middle   
   East are called to pursue a fruitful dialogue of life with Muslims, ... leaving   
   every negative prejudice aside, ... and together combating every sort of   
   fundamentalism and violence in the name of religion".   
   SE/VIS 20101025 (780)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)