Missionaries of Africa
Rome Synod

Seán O'Leary M.Afr.
Auditor

Echos from African Synod,

Date: 25 Oct 2009
Subject: Synod Report No.6

Dear Friends,

Well it finished as it began in the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica,
the Synod Fathers surrounding the Holy Father in a Eucharist of
gratitude and hope; the final ceremony that gave closure to three weeks
of hard work. We joined the Pope for the Angelus at 12h00, on St.
Peter's Square, where thousands had gathered, all of us dressed in the
same chasuble, given as it was as a present from the Holy Father to each
one of us.

At noon Saturday some 400, those at the Synod and those assisting the
Synod, sat down to a four course lunch with the Holy Father. This was no
South African 'braai' but a beautiful layed out banquet in the Vatican
colours. Again competency prevailed and all ate and drank to their
hearts content. The Pope spoke 'ad lib' for the first time, and though
my Italian is not what it used to be, it was interesting what he said.
He mentioned he had two fears at the beginning of the Synod, that we
would either be too 'spiritual' or too 'political' as regards the theme
of the Synod; reconciliation, justice and peace and he was pleased to
see we had arrived at a happy balance between the two. He also announced
that Cardinal Turkson from Ghana would replace Cardinal Martino as head
of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. As luck would have it I
was invited to dinner with the Cardinal and of course the conversation
eventually got around to the wonderful idea of 'An African Council of
Peace Elders'. The new man at the helm of Justice and Peace showed more
than a passing interest in the wonderful initiative and will be in
touch, so to say!

The last days had two goals: to finalize 'The Message' and to finalize
'The Propostions'. The editors of 'The Message' took to heart the
concerns of the Synod Fathers and the final document, 43 paragraphs in
all, is a worthy testimony to the work of the Synod. It remains a
balance between a spirituality and theology of reconciliation, justice
and peace and a hard hitting document that challenges those in power who
cause so much misery on the African continent to amend their ways. The
'prophylactic' issue was toned down replaced as it was by a more
positive approach to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.The voice of the Assembly had
been heard load and clear and acted upon.

Our working group proposed 15 amendments to 'The Propositions'. Our
French speaking brothers ans sisters working in the group next to us had
more amendments than their original propositions; giving as they did a
monumental task to the redaction community that worked night and day.
The result was a far superior document. It must be remembered that 'The
Propostions' are for the Holy Father to be used in the correlation of
the Apostolic Exhortation, a task given to 12 elected Synod Fathers and
three more to be appointed by the Pope. The outcome is 57 propositions.
Each Synod Father had to vote personally on each proposition and then
collectively in the Assembly. The Synod Fathers had to hand over their
individual book with the 57 Propositions to the Vatican but when we
broke for lunch we were surprised they had already been given to the
press. Those outside had 'The Propositions' and those who had worked for
weeks did not have them. This was a bit odd to say the least.

The Propositions are broken up into 4 main categories: The theology and
spirituality of reconciliation, justice and peace; reaching out to
others e.g. Islam and Ecumenism; different groupings of people, such as
the laity, priests and of course women (men are not mentioned) and
political, economic and social issues, such as good governance,
globalization, the arms trade and so on. They are well written and well
presented. My Council of Peace Elders idea and the propostion on the
Blessed Virgin Mary both made it into the final propostions, much to the
delighted of the Archbishop from the Philippians and to be fair I must
say, if it was not for Mary my propostion would not have made it.

Today the Synod finished but today the Synod begins in earnest as the
Synod Fathers 'trek' home to the arduous task of implementing the Synod
and bring 'The Synod Message' to their people. If there is an criticism
it is that 'the how to implement' was not tackled. This will be left up
to local Bishops'Conferences.

We came, we listened, we spoke, we agreed, we voted and now we are going
home.

Africa, rise up, take up your pallet, and walk!

With best wishes,

Seán O'Leary
seanol@fastmail.fm