VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE   
   YEAR XXII - # 181   
   DATE 20-10-2014   
      
   Summary:   
   - Francis in the Consistory: we cannot resign ourselves to a Middle East   
   without Christians   
   - Consistory: peace, reconciliation and religious freedom in the Middle East   
   - Pope Francis closes the Synod and beatifies Paul VI   
   - Angelus: Paul VI, tireless supporter of the missio ad gentes   
   - The Final Report and votes conclude the work of the Synod of Bishops   
   - The Pope speaks to the Synod Fathers: we walk a path together   
   - Audience with the Prime Minister of Vietnam: important step in relations   
   with the Holy See   
   - Christians and Hindus: together to foster a culture of inclusion   
   - Audiences   
   - Other Pontifical Acts   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Francis in the Consistory: we cannot resign ourselves to a Middle East   
   without Christians   
    Vatican City, 20 October 2014 (VIS) - This morning, in the New Synod Hall,   
   there commenced the Ordinary Public Consistory, presided at by Pope Francis,   
   for the canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz, priest of the Oratory of St.   
   Philip Neri, founder of the Oratory of the Holy Cross of Miracles in Goa. and   
   Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception, foundress of the Oblation Sisters   
   of the Holy Sacrament.   
    The Holy Father wished to dedicate the opening of the Consistory to the   
   Middle East, and in particular, the situation experienced by Christians.   
   Francis thanked those brothers from the region for their presence, remarking   
   that "We share a desire for peace and stability in the Middle East, and the   
   will the promote the resolution of conflicts through dialogue, reconciliation   
   and political commitment. At the same time, we would like to give all the help   
   possible to Christian communities to support them in remaining in the region.   
   ... We cannot resign ourselves to imagining a Middle East without Christians,   
   who have profess the name of Jesus there for over two thousand years".   
    The Pope emphasised his concerns regarding recent events, especially in Iraq   
   and Syria. "We are witnessing a phenomenon of terrorism on an unimaginable   
   scale", he commented. "Many of our brothers and sisters are brutally   
   persecuted and driven from their homes. It seems that an awareness of the   
   value of human life has been lost; it as is if people do not count and can be   
   sacrificed to other interests. And unfortunately all this encounters   
   indifference on the part of many".   
    "This unjust situation requires, aside from our constant prayer, an adequate   
   response on the part of the international community. I am sure that, with the   
   Lord's help, today's meeting will produce valid reflections and suggestions to   
   enable us to help our brothers who suffer, and also to face the crisis of the   
   reduction of the Christian presence in the land where Christianity was born   
   and from where it spread".   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Consistory: peace, reconciliation and religious freedom in the Middle East   
    Vatican City, 20 October 2014 (VIS) - The Ordinary Consistory began with   
   greetings from the Holy Father and the report from the Secretary of State,   
   Pietro Parolin, on the meeting of apostolic nuncios and diplomatic   
   representatives in the Middle East, which took place in the Vatican from 2 to   
   4 October.   
    Immediately after, the Cardinals and Patriarchs present in the Synod Hall   
   intervened. The Patriarchs of the Middle Eastern Churches described the   
   situations and principal problems faced by the Churches in the countries   
   concerned (Iraq, Syria, Egypt, the Holy Land, Jordan, Lebanon). There were   
   approximately thirty interventions, focusing mainly on the need for peace and   
   reconciliation in the Middle East, the defence of religious freedom, support   
   for local communities, the great importance of education for creating new   
   generations able to engage in dialogue, and the role of the international   
   community.   
    With regard to the first point, it was underlined that the Middle East   
   urgently needs to redefine its future; the importance of Jerusalem was   
   highlighted, in its role as "capital of faith" for the three great   
   monotheistic religions, and the need was emphasised for a solution to the   
   Israeli-Palestine and Syrian conflicts. In relation to the violence   
   perpetrated by Isis, it was reiterated that no-one may kill in the name of God.   
    In relation to religious freedom, it was remarked that, along with freedom of   
   worship and conscience, it is a fundamental human right, innate and universal,   
   and a value for all humanity. Alongside this right, the need was underlined   
   for Christians to recognise the civil rights of other citizens, especially in   
   countries where religion is not currently separate from the State.   
    Furthermore, with regard to the support for local communities in the region,   
   it was repeated that a Middle East without Christians would be a grave loss   
   for all, as they have a fundamental role in maintaining equilibrium in the   
   region, and have important commitments in the education sector. It is   
   therefore essential to encourage Christians to stay in the Middle East and to   
   persevere in their mission, as they have always contributed to the wellbeing   
   of the countries where they live. From this perspective, there was a   
   reflection on the problem of the migration of Christians: they must be   
   welcomed in the Churches and in the States to which they emigrate, where it is   
   hoped there will be adequate pastoral structures for the various rites.   
   Moreover, it was requested that humanitarian aid to the Middle East be   
   continued, to encourage Christians to remain in the area, and that the various   
   manifestations of solidarity possible on the part of the Churches of other   
   countries be cultivated, also by means of journeys and pilgrimages.   
    In relation to education, it was noted that in many Middle Eastern countries,   
   school text books do not refer positively to beliefs other than the State   
   religion, and that this requires reflection on the part of local institutions.   
   From this point of view, it was hoped that greater interreligious dialogue   
   with Muslims, starting from the common foundation of reason, would be of use,   
   along with lively ecumenical cooperation, so that all the Churches of the   
   Middle East might make their voices heard as one.   
    A request was made for the International community to guarantee to Christian   
   refugees the possibility of returning to their homes as soon as possible,   
   creating "safety zones", for instance on the Nineveh Plain. Finally, an appeal   
   was made for all those who have been kidnapped in the Middle East, in order   
   that the world not forget about them.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Pope Francis closes the Synod and beatifies Paul VI   
    Vatican City, 19 October 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Mass celebrated at 10.30 a.m.   
   in St. Peter's Square this morning, during which Pope Paul VI was proclaimed   
   Blessed, closed the Synod of Bishops devoted to "Pastoral challenges to the   
   family in the context of evangelisation". The ceremony was attended by Pope   
   emeritus Benedict XVI and 70,000 faithful from all over the world, and the   
   Holy Father concelebrated with the cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops and   
   presbyters who took part in the Synod.   
    Following the rite of beatification and the Gospel reading, Francis   
   pronounced a homily in which he emphasised that during the Synod, the   
   participants felt "felt the power of the Holy Spirit who constantly guides and   
   renews the Church ... called to waste no time in seeking to bind up open   
   wounds and to rekindle hope in so many people who have lost it". He described   
   the new Blessed as a "courageous Christian, a tireless apostle and the great   
   helmsman of the Council".   
    "We have just heard one of the most famous phrases in the entire Gospel:   
   'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are   
   God's'. Goaded by the Pharisees who want to put him to the test in matters of   
   religion, Jesus gives this ironic and brilliant reply. It is a striking phrase   
   which the Lord has bequeathed to all those who experience qualms of   
   conscience, particularly when their comfort, their wealth, their prestige,   
   their power and their reputation are in question. This happens all the time;   
   it always has".   
    He continued, "Jesus puts the stress on the second part of the phrase: 'and   
   [render] to God the things that are God's'. This means acknowledging and   
   professing - in the face of any sort of power - that God alone is the Lord of   
   mankind, that there is no other. This is the perennial newness to be   
   discovered each day, and it requires mastering the fear which we often feel at   
   God's surprises. God is not afraid of the new! That is why he is continually   
   surprising us, opening our hearts and guiding us in unexpected ways. He renews   
   us: he constantly makes us 'new'. A Christian who lives the Gospel is 'God's   
   newness' in the Church and in the world. How much God loves this 'newness'!".   
    "'Rendering to God the things that are God's' means being docile to his will,   
   devoting our lives to him and working for his kingdom of mercy, love and   
   peace. Here is where our true strength is found; here is the leaven which   
   makes it grow and the salt which gives flavour to all our efforts to combat   
   the prevalent pessimism which the world proposes to us. Here too is where our   
   hope is found, for when we put our hope in God we are neither fleeing from   
   reality nor seeking an alibi: instead, we are striving to render to God what   
   is God's. That is why we Christians look to the future, God's future. It is so   
   that we can live this life to the fullest - with our feet firmly planted on   
   the ground - and respond courageously to whatever new challenges come our way".   
    "In these days, during the extraordinary Synod of Bishops, we have seen how   
   true this is. 'Synod' means 'journeying together'. And indeed pastors and lay   
   people from every part of the world have come to Rome, bringing the voice of   
   their particular Churches in order to help today's families walk the path the   
   Gospel with their gaze fixed on Jesus. It has been a great experience, in   
   which we have lived synodality and collegiality, and felt the power of the   
   Holy Spirit who constantly guides and renews the Church. For the Church is   
   called to waste no time in seeking to bind up open wounds and to rekindle hope   
   in so many people who have lost it. For the gift of this Synod and for the   
   constructive spirit which everyone has shown, in union with the Apostle Paul   
   'we give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our   
   prayers'. May the Holy Spirit, who during these busy days has enabled us to   
   work generously, in true freedom and humble creativity, continue to guide the   
   journey which, in the Churches throughout the world, is bringing us to the   
   Ordinary Synod of Bishops in October 2015. We have sown and we continued to   
   sow, patiently and perseveringly, in the certainty that it is the Lord who   
   gives growth to what we have sown".   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)