Missionaries of Africa
Rome Synod

Seán O'Leary M.Afr.
Auditor

Echos from African Synod,

Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009
Subject: Synod Report No.1

Dear Friends,

On Sunday October 4th we were 322 (33 cardinals, 75 archbishops, 120 bishops,
8 religious, 49 auditors and 29 experts) all gathered for the opening of the 2nd Synod of Bishops on Africa in the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica with all the pomp and ceremony the occasion could muster.

The Pope made it clear that Africa is a challenge: 'When we speak of the
treasures of Africa, our thoughts immediately turn to the resources its
land is rich in and that, unfortunately, have become and often continues
to be a reason for exploitation, conflict and corruption'. 'Without
entering into the merit of the origins of such sickness of the
spirit, there is absolutely no doubt that the so-called 'First' world has
exported up to now, and continues to export, its spiritual toxic waste
that contaminates the peoples of other continents, in particular those of
Africa'. The gauntlet had been thrown down.

The Assembly gather in the upper room of the magnificent Pope Paul VI
Hall with each assigned his or her seat linked up to amazing
technology that records your presence, allows you to speak or vote
without ever moving. A simple badge with your photo on it allows you to
roam freely around the inner sanctuary of the Vatican to the salutes of
numerous Guards. A bus picks us and drops us for each session.

The opening days were predictable: salutations from those representing
the other 5 continents of the world and two detailed papers delivered
with the aim of making the link between the first and second Synod in
Africa. The rhythm is acceptable: 9 to 12h30 and 4h30 to 7h00 each day.

Each participant can make a personal intervention (5 minutes for
delegates and 4 for auditors) submitted before hand in writing to the
Secretariat. There have been 55 to date covering every possible angle
you can think of as regards Reconciliation, Justice and Peace, and far
beyond the subject. An hour in the evening is set aside as an 'open
forum' where you can say what you want for 3 minutes without making a
written submission. There has been one morning of small group work (26
in mine) chaired, as you would predict, by a cardinal. These small groups
are far more intimate and productive.

With the exception of one afternoon the Pope has attended all sessions
and you can set your watch by his arrival and departures which are
always to the second. He never intervenes, listens politely and claps
every contribution. However, he does visibly wane as the day progresses,
which is quiet understandable for a man in his 80s. On the other hand,
he does not fall asleep like many of the participants.

The Synod is a process and this week is the 'see' part. Next week will
be the 'judge' part and the final week the 'act' part.

With best wishes,

Seán O'Leary
seanol@fastmail.fm