Komunikat Nru 1 mis-Sinodu tal-Isqfijiet dwar l-Evanġelizzazzjoni Ġdida biex innisslu l-Fidi Nisranija

Mibgħut lilna mill-Eċċellenza Tiegħu Monsinjur Mario Grech, Isqof ta' Għawdex.

15 Ottubru 2012

(1)  Kumment dwar il-Knisja fl-Ewropa

“The people of Europe, due to the demographic decrease and the aging of the population and because of the economic crisis and the weakening of cultural and religious identity, is thirsty and hungry for hope.

The city mission organized in many European centers has tried to emphasize this hope. "Who will put happiness before our eyes?" (Psa 4:7) - was the motto of the mission of Paris. "There is hope for your future after all" (Jer 31:17) - which was heard during the mission in Budapest. These missions had lasting results: apart from contacting the non believing society, this experience above all helped the parishes in rediscovering their vocation to the mission towards the inactive, but also towards non believers. Beginning last year, when we reorganized a large mission in twelve European cities, we saw with joy a spirit of initiative in many parishes. In answer to the family crisis, it was even possible to make visits to all the Catholic families in the name of the parish, entrusted by the Bishop.

Another sign of the times, especially promising in Europe, is the growth of volunteers in the parishes, especially for charitable works. The retired, in particular, between the ages of 65 and 75, show a moving generosity and contribute in reinforcing solidarity among generations”.

(2) Kumment dwar il-Knisja Latino-Americana

“The pastoral renovation in America, begun as a response to Vatican Council II, dynamized the internal life of the Church: the pastoral agents have multiplied, formation in the faith has intensified, participation and Eucharistic communion by the faithful at Sunday Mass has grown; thus, many and varied are the positive aspects of the pastoral renewal of the Church ; without reservation I can state that growth is not proportional to demographic growth of our peoples, and because of this we can find large sectors of Catholics who are distant and lukewarm in their Catholic identity, but undoubtedly believers”.

(3) Kumment li sar dwar il-Knisja fl-Asja

“Asia is a continent experiencing the hopes and joys of a constant rebirth in the Spirit (Ecclesia in Asia). We all know that 60% of the world's population lives in Asia. It is a young continent with a majority of the population young. And hence in several ways Asia is very central for the future of the world. India and China which have 37% of the world's population are emerging as major players on the international scene in many fields.

Asia is a continent experiencing the hopes and joys of a constant rebirth in the Spirit (Ecclesia in Asia). We all know that 60% of the world's population lives in Asia. It is a young continent with a majority of the population young. And hence in several ways Asia is very central for the future of the world. India and China which have 37% of the world's population are emerging as major players on the international scene in many fields”

(4) Kumment li sar dwar il-Knisja fl-Oceania

The Bishops members of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific remarks: “We see everywhere the vibrancy of youth, e.g. large numbers who attended World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008; annual Téné celebrations in New Caledonia, the youth festival in Samoa earlier this year; vocations to priesthood and religious life with a missionary outreach. In these young people we see a sincere and sometimes painful search for meaning and spirituality as they bridge traditional cultural values and the excitement of the technological age with the swipe of an I-pad or smart-phone. It is sometimes difficult for them to resist the false attractions of an aggressive media and entertainment industry.

In NEW ZEALAND we have witnessed a new vitality of Catholic life through growing ethnic diversity, as a result of the migration of peoples.

In AUSTRALIA there is a strong engagement with society through adult education and new forms of lay leadership in the church. Australia is the most advanced of all the countries of the Federation with regard to media and technology. They have shared this generously, e.g. in their support of the Catholic Radio network in the Solomon Islands; and their ready sharing of electronic resources for evangelization, educational and pastoral formation. Over the past two years, the diocese of Broken Bay has offered e-conferences that are streamed live throughout the world. This new technology is a vital agent of the New Evangelization.

(5)  Kumment tal-Kard. Angelo Sodano

In a recent speech to a group of French bishops who had come to Rome for an “ad limina” visit, the Pope said expressly: “Today the challenges of a broadly secularized society serve as an invitation to seek a response with courage and optimism by proposing the incorruptible newness of the Gospel with boldness and creativity”

“With courage and optimism”: this is also the hope I express on my own behalf and of all those present, while recognizing the great difficulties that exist in the present situation. Sometimes we too are tempted like the Apostles, who said to Jesus on the Sea of Galilee, through Simon: “Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets” (Lk 5:5). And this was followed by the miraculous catch”

(6)  Kumment ta’ Isqof mill-Peru

During my service as a priest, I was always a pastor and I discovered that the favoured place for teaching the faith is the Sunday celebration because we believers listen to Jesus and celebrate the triumph of his cross, to live the mandate of his Love. Every week we learn the words and gestures of the Master to live in our family, our neighbourhood, our places of work and study.

(7) Kumment ta’ Mons. José Horacio GÓMEZ, Archbishop of Los Angeles

Globalization is one of the “signs” of our times. …. In a positive sense, globalization presents us with a providential moment for advancing the Church's mission of transforming humanity into one family of God. To evangelize in this era of globalization calls us for a new proclamation of the mystery of the Church as the universal family of God. The era of globalization also calls us to draw from our rich traditions of popular piety and spirituality in our work of evangelization.

Our traditions of popular piety form a rich spiritual treasury that is part of the good news that we can offer to lead men and women to participation in his Body and Blood and to become partakers of the divine life.

We need to find the “language” that best presents the traditional means of sanctification - the sacraments, prayer, works of charity - in a way that is attractive and accessible to people living in the reality of a globalized, secular, urban society. With our rich treasury of Catholic spiritualities - drawn from Gospel's inculturation in “every nation under heaven,” and with our good news of God's “family plan” for history, we possess powerful resources for our evangelization of culture in the context of globalization and the increasing secularization in our societies.

(8) Bishop Luis Antonio G. TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila

A young girl asked: “Are we the youth lost or has the Church lost us?”. Her question expresses a longing for a Church where she can be found by Jesus and where she can find Him. But for the Church to be the “space” of a faith-encounter with the Lord, she must learn anew from Jesus in whom we meet God.

The Church must learn humility from Jesus. God's power and might appears in the self-emptying of the Son, in the love that is crucified but truly saves because it is emptied of self for the sake of others.

The Church is called to follow Jesus' respect for every human person. He defended the dignity of all people, in particular those neglected and despised by the world. Loving His enemies, He affirmed their dignity.

The Church must discover the power of silence. Confronted with the sorrows, doubts and uncertainties of people she cannot pretend to give easy solutions. In Jesus, silence becomes the way of attentive listening, compassion and prayer. It is the way to truth”.