 
Have you informed 5 friends about this website www.yesafricamatters.org to share the good news!
Links to notes on: Reflections at the end of week II.
October 26th
Well, it the Monday after... so it is time for Monday night quarterbacking.... But before I get to that, let me fill you in on the last press conference and the Closing Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE On Saturday October 24th at 12:30 pm there was a large press conference to conclude the work of the Synod... Cardinal Turkson, the general relator of the Synod, lead the presentation of the Propositions and the questions and answers that followed. The 88 pages containing the propositions (in all the official languages) were handed out to all in the course of the press conference. Here are some ideas that were surfaced by him and the other bishops present. One of the main concerns of the Catholic Church is that Africa is the most vulnerable of continents... there are wars, pandemics, food insecurity and the like... there is vulnerable judicial systems, governments, etc. Many of the people of Africa are young. Many live in profound poverty. We looked at all that and responded both by grounding hope for the future in our religious traditions and faith in God as well as appeals for solidarity, just systems and conversion of hearts and actions that can bring hope to the people of Africa. Many practical on the ground initiatives were surfaced in the course of the sharing and we now ask that they be strengthened, offered in other places, etc. One of the Bishops mentioned that the first Synod of Africa was celebrated in an atmosphere of tension and strain due to the situation in Rwanda. This synod was more serene, better prepared and celebrated, and they were grateful to all, especially missionary institutes who were helpful in getting people’s input. This Synod was a follow up to the first but in a more affective and effective manner. Responding to questions, when asked about the concern of women, the Bishops mentioned that they would be calling to strengthen was NEPAD has initiated. One bishop mentioned that woman actually shape the personality of us all. Responding to a question about poor governance... the need for conferences educating politicians to the common good were mentioned... Also it was acknowledged that those in power often do not represent the choice of the majority. There was a question about the reference in Proposition #2 about this Synod being a New Pentecost..... this proposition had picked up both the spirit in the Synod Hall, but also the suggestion of the Holy Father in his opening conversations early on... and this new Pentecost is a recognition of the presence of the Spirit today that will lead to conversion not only of heads of governments, etc, but also Bishops themselves... When asked about continued Aid from Catholic agencies, the bishops acknowledged their gratitude, mentioned that these Aid groups are also agents of advocacy for the situation of their people, and mentioned that Aid from Catholic groups are inspired by human values and solidarity, uplifting people rather than just directing aid to them as if they are objects of someone’s charity or a balm to heal one’s guilt, or just a job... and partnerships with governments when giving aid is seen as questionable. There was a question regarding follow up. It was mentioned in the question that much of what was in the propositions could be found in the 1994 documentation... But there was a failure then to do the follow up, so now we find ourselves here... Who will do the follow ? Who will provide the means to make the propositions happen? This is the real challenge... And then there was the question of interdependence... How to address those from the outside who are engaging on the continent for good or for bad... Proposition 29 seems to be asking for international and national legislation that will protect natural resources of countries so that they can get their fair return on exports, etc. There were questions about missing propositions.... A journalist from South Africa felt that there should have been a proposition on Men, as there is mention a lot about Women. Men are often the victimizers in domestic abuse, Men plan and initiate wars, young men have caused such fear on the streets of South Africa that it is pandemic. Men are aggressive and not responsible. ... It was noted and well taken as an issue.
The bishops then ended the final press conference and the joined their colleagues who were enjoying a final lunch with the Holy Father. It was officially announced that Cardinal Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana would be the new president of the Council for Justice and Peace in Rome.
THE CLOSING MASS
The closing Eucharist began in St. Peter’s at 10:00 am... Again, the Basilica was filled with worshipers who all heard the Pope’s prayer of gratitude for the completion of this synod and for continued support for the mission of the church in Africa. His homily was most appropriate for the occasion, drawing hope from the Book of consolation that brought hope to the exiled Israelites so many years ago. That hope still is offered to all of us today, especially in Africa. And in reference to the second reading he offered us a very inclusive understanding of service priesthood that engages in mission and witness, and again in this case, to Africa. The Gospel story of Bartimaus, offered him the opportunity to tell us that we are on the same road as he, in need of that same Jesus who comes along that same road and as he healed Bartimaus, he will heal us. Our faith will save us. This is the power of the new pentecost, the power of the Spirit that we see played out in the miracles of Jesus.. In the face of overwhelming odds and sorrow, Jesus saves. He is our hope. And we, now following him as Bartimaus did, must share and witness this hope and power of God that we see in the Pascal Mystery. (He did not hold to the 8 minute rule this time... he went a bit over, and I found myself wandering to other thoughts... thank God I got a copy of his homily at the Vatican Press Office so I could read what I missed.... It should be on the Vatican website soon... I will post it on this site when I find it there.) And during the Angelus that took place immediately after the Mass at the entrance to the Basilica, we heard a very animated B16 speak of this appreciation, hope and thanks for the work of the Synod. He went beyond his very self. (we couldn't see him since we were locked in St. Peter's until after the Angelus so that all the Bishops and concelebrants who were outside the doors with the Pope could later return to the sacristy) It was a prayerful gathering. I did pray for all of you who have enjoyed accompanying me through this website.
THE MONDAY NIGHT QUARTERBACKING (well the reflections and suggestions)
It is the old story of the good news and the bad news... which do you want to hear first? Well, let’s start with the good news. ----I have to say that the Synod accomplished more than I expected.... I say that as an outsider, not an insider... from the bits and pieces I picked up by being the proverbial fly placed on a Roman Wall. As I mentioned earlier in the month, I found the Bishops much more mature and at ease with the entire exercise so as not to be bullied (maybe bully is too strong a word, but you know what I mean.) That said, the propositions and message did not turn out to be the call to action that I would have really hoped for, but then again, as one prominent bishop said, “we took good notes.” What may have been left on the editing floor may be recouped on a national or local level. Let’s hope. There are enough indicators in the propositions to support a lot of our advocacy for more just, responsible, fair relations on all and every level with Africa. ----The palpable feeling of having experienced solidarity was there. That is the good news. The bad news about that is that it was never really articulated as that. It got lost in the talk of family of God in service to reconciliation, justice and peace and all... but I truly believe that a more articulate understanding of both the spirituality and practical theology of solidarity needs to be done as foundational to any talk of family of God in service to reconciliation, justice and peace. Theologians, get on it!!!! And there is the real challenge of moving from the local issues of each of us that take our time and attention to the issues of the other. Diocesan Bishops are concerned about only their Diocese, Religious Superiors are concerned about their community, Families are focused on their own.... few are able to hold both local and global together. ----I found myself experiencing profound mixed emotions at the final Liturgy at St. Peters. By chance as I stood in line waiting to go through security I met beside me a young Congolese Jesuit. He had taught at the Jesuit High School in Bukavu where some of my former students in Chicago had attended. So we had a good chat about his work, my appreciation for the Congolese Jesuits I know, etc. As we entered the Basilica, as before, the guards were separating the African clergy from others, directing the Africa clergy to the left side of the main altar while the rest of us were directed to the central nave. Fr. Alexendre chose to stay with me (it actually is a better view of the action than from the side)... but, quite different from the opening liturgy, among us were far fewer other Africans... sisters and laypeople... where were they? It looked to me as if the African Clergy were getting their day in the sun up there near the altar while the rest of the crowd around me and my newfound African friend were tourists who were there to see the Pope and did not care too much about Africa. So, they will get their one day of glory and then go to the end of the line like before. I had had a conversation with the Catholic News Service correspondent earlier in the week, complimenting her on her presence at the many briefings we attended, asking her how much information she sent back to the US.. And she said there was ample and creative things that they did not only in print but video clips, etc. But I asked her now much of that actually got to YOU who are recipients of the news... the readers, the viewers, etc. Then she said that, well you know, diocesan papers first put their home news up front, then the national news of the Church, then the Vatican news clips, then maybe Asia and South America and last and least... Africa... as if to say all her hard work these three weeks may not have been shared in papers for your reading pleasure and edification!!!! Tell me if that is true... Did you see much in print and web from CNS on the synod? Much was forwarded by CNS. Did your editors pass it on to you? If not, all this talk of new Pentecost and Synod as Ecclesial Event is hogwash. If your papers did not cover this adequately, write to the editor and complain. Some hopeful and helpful things were done here in Rome. As I mentioned above, I didn’t expect much, but the Synod rose beyond my expectations. If we who have experienced the grace, the pain, the challenge and the hope in Africa through our personal and communal service in Africa remain silent, then we are as much a part of the bad news that I am complaining about. One other piece about the Mass. It was no African Celebration… I remember that we sang songs from the First Synod for years after on the continent.. at least in Sierra Leone. That will not happen this time. And there will be no songs to sing back home but the ones they are already singing. And I saw how the power of the celebrant determines the style of the liturgy, in spite of all the talk liturgists say how the celebrant should not determine the style. JP II was an extrovert. B16 is an introvert. Both styles have lights and shadows. The style of the opening and closing Masses were not reflective of the openness JPII had to the African expression of faith, joy and struggle. B16s homilies were great, strong and unique reflections of the God experience through Scripture and the human experience of pain, hope, resistance and faith. The long silences after the Homily and Communion were great as times for people to interiorize the strong experiences of Word, Sacrament and community that was present. But it was clothed in a different jacket. And I believe fell short.
The Second Special Assembly of Bishops on Africa has ended in Rome. The process continues and the main agents are those who have committed time and talent to this process. Bishops from around the world gave us more than 3 weeks of their time to be here, and it was no vacation. They worked. We, the legion, who were part of the many events around the synod gave our time and interest and prayer and support for this task and topic. And you the readers have faithfully followed these events. Now the challenge is to take the next step. Some suggestions: If you are a college student, contact our AFJN office or check our website to find out how to set up an AFJN College chapter on your campus so that you can gather your research, good will and passion for Africa and morph it into effective advocacy for just and fair change to the better to Africa and her peoples. If you are a member of a religious community who have personnel in Africa, take a look at the propositions with others of your community and distill what any of those may mean for you and your ministry.. . some may be a confirmation of what you may already be doing, or a challenge to do it differently or to do something more. If you are a college prof who teach Africa issues.... write some op eds on issues you wish to support that may come through the propositions, or write some articles for publications that do the same.. If you are a parent, teach and model to your children what solidarity really means. Teach them to look beyond what the media may choose to let us know to a deeper appreciation of the wonders, strengths as well as the pains of our world and peoples. If you participate in a big of small way to a service outreach to Africa through twinning or tithing, engage in some form of advocacy as well. Catholic Social thought and practice has two feet... Service and Advocacy.... Why do we choose to limp!!!! Use the two feet God has given us! If you are a business person who is looking to Africa for contacts and opportunities, remember “Peace is good for business”.... and your business, that contributes to peace and development in Africa may be an sound and practical instrument of peace.... all to often the wars continue because under it all, a war economy makes money..... If you are a priest, Bishop or religious community leader, look beyond the challenges, problems and issues that surround you (and may even stifle you at times) and seem to define your day and priorities. As important as they are, by discovering the resilience, the faith, the miracle of survival and tenacity of Africa, your very real issues will be relativized. We need a real solidarity one with the other to move beyond this fear. Remember the story of the Nigerian Sister who during the opening Mass told me that “they will never get it until they really feel our pain.” Then again I remember a time while in Kenema Sierra Leone in 1998 during those dark and dangerous days under the coup (nine months where the entire country was held hostage to terror and fear, lack of free movement, etc) one of my workers who himself was a stranger to this part of the country, since he was not Mende but Mandig from the North, asked me how I was doing. “Aren’t you afraid?” “Yes” I said. “And you?” He said, “Very”... So I said, “Let’s be afraid together” We then had a very great belly laugh... and we survived. Solidarity is the name of the game. Jesus kept reminding me as I prepared to return to Sierra in 1995 “Do not be Afraid!” It took me a year to hear his voice. Fear kept creeping in. Pope John Paul II kept repeating this to young and old, “Do not be Afraid”. BUT we are... we are afraid of changing from a war economy to a peace economy. We are afraid of migration and set up xenophobic laws that kill THEM. We are afraid of what solidarity may really mean. We are afraid that there just may not be enough. Fear is the weapon, it is free, it is everywhere and it works. (look at the growth of the security industry!) Our fear dictates our decisions and there are a few people laughing their way to the banks, protected behind walls that have cut them off from the lives and struggles of most. Don't they even call it Wall Street!!!!. So, let’s stand up to our fears with a belief that this synod has offered us a renewed look at faith in a new Pentecost. Is it real? Is Solidarity the way forward? Can it be true? Is He the Messiah? If you have faith the size of a mustard seed........
So I join my provincial in making a supreme act of faith: Go Phillies!
I thank you for faithfully following my musings from Rome. It has been a work of love. I welcome any feedback and suggestions... I am not sure how long we will keep this website up, but I have a feeling that is may be one of our “follow up exercises” to keep the process of the synod going. But as I return to the US tomorrow I bring this chapter to a close. Arriverderci a Washington!
October 24
The 57 Propositions that were the final work of the Synod have been published. I will report on the press conference we had this afternoon in a bit. Meantime, enjoy the read.
October 23
The final message was presented on Friday afternoon at the press conference at the Vatican Press Office by Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja Nigeria, the president of the commission, Archbishop Youssef Sarraf of Cairo, vice president of the Commision. Also with them was Bishop from Mozambique and I didn’t get his name. It is a 43 paragraph message. It is not a summary of all that was spoken in the hall, not an outline of what any Post Synod message may be. It is a simple message, formed by bishops from through all of Africa and beyond. The commission that wrote it did consider all the contributions given, but wrote it to be a very straight forward communication that could be easily shared from the pulpit throughout Africa, easily translatable and brought to the people. It is made up of eight segments. The first offers a brief summary of the lights and shadows shared in the Hall, but stressing that not all was dark and gloom. The second section offers, through the practical pastoral experience of the Church since the first synod the theological and spiritual basis for our service to reconciliation, justice and peace. The third section puts the work of the Synod in the context of the whole Church. This Synod was not a meeting of SECAM in Rome, but a meeting of all bishops, Curia, experts, giving the opportunity to discover the worldwide relationship that we have as Church. The fourth section looks at the Church in Africa itself, reviewing all the various categories: Bishops, priests, religious, catechists, laity, youth and even children. Mention was made at how many children were caught up in conflicts and forced to be child soldiers. Each category was called to take up their responsibility in being an agent of reconciliation, justice and peace. The fifth section was an appeal to the World Community. The synod is ever conscious of the global interdependence and our common welfare. The sixth section looks at Africa itself, addressing the synod’s concern for government and civic leaders, many of whom have not served in the best interests of their people. They spoke with clarity, charity, sincerity and truth. The last major section picked up a theme that Pope Benedict mentioned on the first day. Africa is a great spiritual lung. Religion is not a source of division, but a great source of effective joint action for reconciliation, justice and peace. Collaboration with other Churches, Traditional Religions and Islam were encouraged. However, the Synod rejects any country that denies religious freedom. The message closes with a prayer, acknowledging Mary as our Queen of Peace, but making the prayer in the words of St. Paul 2 Corinthians 13:11.
Questions and Answers followed the presentation of this schema (the actual texts were not ready at the beginning of the press conference and only later did the Italian text get distributed. The other official languages were ready at the end of the briefing, but it was noted that there is still some editing to be done on all the texts). The message reflects a call for subsidiarity for all... All members of our Church are called to play their role as agents of reconciliation, justice and peace. We need to live and speak with a single voice, and that includes all people of faith. The message reflects the sense of the synod that discovered that with this theme of reconciliation, justice and peace, the whole Church must be attuned to this, even thought is looked through the lens of Africa. And this would give hope to many in Africa who feel abandoned or forgotten in the face of some of the issues that cause pain and suffering there today. Accountability of funds directed to Africa was mentioned. There are many mechanisms that are set up to address this and we are improving. However, it was also mentioned that at times the needs of the dioceses on the ground may not be within the scope or criteria of some of these funders from the North. More needs to be done to stir the support for a self reliant Church in the various dioceses. There was a question concerning the paragraph that talks about the Synod’s concern about the Africa Diaspora. It seems no mention was made of how they could assist services in Africa. The intention in the message was to challenge the host churches that are receiving these migrants to better welcome them. There was a question about looking at the need for communal rituals that can offer reconciliation, a kind of common penance rite of sorts, drawing practice from traditional African rites. It was admitted that a line or two on this could have been helpful. There was an appeal against multinationals. The question arose why there was not call for an international code of conduct.. we have a number of codes, but there doesn’t seem to be the will not power to enforce them.
October 20th.
The Synod is winding down. Today we had the last briefing at the Vatican Press Office. The Synod met in assembly this morning and they worked on the following: They sent a letter of solidarity to the Churches of DRC, Northern Uganda, Chad and Central African Republic.... countries still touched deeply by war. They then proceeded to have the first presentations of the proposals that had been worked on by the committee made up of the Secretary General, the Secretary Relator and the secretaries of the 12 working groups... They did a fine job of distilling from the 282 draft proposals that came out of the work of the working groups last week only 54 solid propositions. My mole on the inside, who feared last week that the teeth may be taken out of the synod, is quite happy with this outcome. These will now be worked on in groups this afternoon and tomorrow, I think, and will be voted on finally on Thursday. These will then be submitted to the Synod Secretariat for possible post Synod exhortation material... They voted on the second presentation of the Message of the Synod that had been presented Saturday as well. Again, if I heard right, the final vote will be Friday on this message that is an immediate outcome of the Synod. They lastly voted on the members of the Post Synod Council for Africa, 12 members, 2 coming from each of the 6 regional groupings of Africa; AMECEA, IBMISSA, etc... The Pope will then choose 3 more and then the group of 15 will be in place and follow the post Synod progress.
There will not be any more briefings, but there will be a series of Press conferences... one by the Vatican Radio on Thursday evening and then two others by the Vatican Press Office on Friday and Saturday afternoon (again right in the middle of our lunch!!, go figure). There are meetings tonight and I am supposed to be at all three of them, but can only be at one... and will tell you more tomorrow... There is one more SEDOS-USG meeting on Friday afternoon.
And if you have any questions this last week.. send them to me... subject line: Synod Question and send it to director@afjn.org. I will do my best... One has come in already.
October 19th
Today, Monday, was a day off at the Synod. The drafting committees were putting the final touches on suggestions from the Hall that were made last week... The propositions were being drafted for further work this week. I had the occasion in the morning to have a chat with our own Archbishop Wilton Gregory at the North American College. We shared our reflections on the Synod and spoke of what the implications may be for our Church in the US. I updated him on the work of AFJN and the Catholic Task Force on Africa and some of the projects that we are involved in. We spoke about the Africa Summits that have been successfully celebrated in Chicago since 2001 and in Cincinnati for the past two years. It is my hope that we can engage other places throughout the states that would wish to celebrate Africa in this way. We also spoke of the diaspora community from Africa in the States, some putting the number of Catholics from Africa at 3 million nationwide. There is the presence of over 900 Africa priests working in various diocese, 1600 African sisters, not to mention the many teachers, catechists and other lay persons who were leaders in our Churches in Africa, now finding a home in our US Church. It is quite a challenge, but a welcome one. Archbishop Gregory gave me a few directions regards to where our work can go and who to contact when back in the US. I am very glad that he is here and investing all this time in solidarity with this Church of Africa gathered in Rome.
October 17th
By way of information, I checked to see how many people are enjoying this website and this blog. From the time it has been opened back in July we have had 1275 visits. - This month there have been 924 visits world wide. - 785 from the United States.... Illinois won the prize for having the most visitors!!! - people from 55 countries worldwide have visited the site... from 19 African Countries....and there have been visits from Colombia, Canada, Peru, China, Philippines, India, Australia and many more...And there is even someone who has visited the site from Vatican City. Could it be B16? Who knows?
So to all of you from where ever you are, buon lavoro and buon weekend. THIS IS THE MISSION SUNDAY WEEKEND. LET’S CELEBRATE THE UNITY WE SHARE IN CHRIST, OUR RECONCILER, OUR MODEL OF JUSTICE AND PEACE AND ABOVE ALL OUR BROTHER and bring our witness of God's presence and love to all.
The notes I spoke about yesterday are coming along and will be posted above soon.
October 16th.....
It is Friday already and I still have not been able to find the time to summarize the contributions of earlier in the week when the first part of the synod came to an end. I am not sure how helpful that would be for you at this point. I have put a link on the home page of yesafricamatters that will direct you to the daily Vatican Bullitens that have the summaries of each synod father's speech and other news items... There are to date 26 such bullitens... My summaries would be a summaries of the summaries through the person who presents the daily briefings and then through me... God knows how much real information would be there for you in the end... so if you are interested, go to the first of the summaries.... Rather, there has been some talk in reaction to the summary report made by Cardinal Turkson by some of the experts as well as Bishops, fearing that this summary presented more a spiritual and intellectual summation of the sharing rather than the call to actions which many Synod Fathers wanted. They are discussing this report now in groups and will then in these days begin to formulate whatever propositions they may offer to conclude this Synod... I find this time very critical for the movement of this synod... will it have teeth to confront the lights and shadows that were shared the first week, or will it result in just a document that will go no where... There is some concern, at least among those I hang out with. But in any case, I did attend a number of very interesting forums that provide some background to where Africa is going in any case. So I will write those notes up, those of the forums sponsored by the Union of Superior Generals here in Rome as well as SEDOS. There are three, two have happened already. The last one is next Friday the 21st. And then there are the evening sessions of the "Observatory", a gathering of the CIMI, the Conference of International Missionary Institutes which invite a number of experts and auditors for the Synod as well as some of the Synod Fathers to come and speak to some of the issues that they are dealing with... so far we have had one on Justice (where I was able to speak of our Restorative Justice Project at AFJN), one on African Theologies, last night we had one on Islam, and the last one next week will be on how to keep this network formed by CIMI alive beyond the Synod. And lastely I attended the two dinners sponsored by the Community of Pope John XXIII, an interesting lay initiative that is advocating non violence as well as accompaniment for people at risk in conflict areas as a way to reduce violence against displaced persons or people at risk. So, these notes will each have their link above by the photo of my desk here at Via Aurelia. Enjoy.
October 15th
While I work today on the synthesis of the last of the interventions that made up the first part of this synod (the "seeing") here are abstracts from the summary document that Cardinal Turkson offered the assembly as a way to wrap up this first part. There are a number of groupingsof experts that worked yesterday and today to look over this summary and make sure that any missing pieces are communicated to the Synod Assembly.. Today the Synod works in groups to "reflect together" on all they heard that will move them to the work next week of discussing, debating, formulating the very propositions which will be the final fruit of this synod excersize. The abstract:
The "Relatio post disceptationem" was read out in English by Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana. Extensive extracts from the document are given below: THE SETTING OF THE SECOND ASSEMBLY: AFRICA'S WOES OR CHALLENGES? Very many positive changes have been registered both in the Church and in the larger society in Africa since the First Special Assembly for Africa. ... Nonetheless, there are still many shadows within the Church and in society, fifteen years after the conclusion of the First Assembly. The Synod Fathers have cited many instances and reflections of these "shadows" at various sittings of this assembly. Thus, in the: Local Churches: The Synod Fathers candidly recognised insufficient appreciation for the role of women and youth in their local communities, and their poor faith-formation. Politicians and other civil servants have not always enjoyed the accompaniment and formation that would have enabled them to properly witness to their faith in their life and work. The use of the media must be developed beyond the use of local radio stations. The witness of the Church is sometimes compromised by the difficulty that some pastoral agents have in being faithful to their vows, vocations and states of life. Socio-Cultural Sphere: Many Synod Fathers bemoaned the fate of the family in Africa, ... and considered the institution under serious threat of instability and dissolution by poverty, conflicts, traditional beliefs and practices (witchcraft), and disease, principally, malaria and HIV-AIDS. ... But the Synod Fathers also described in various ways a ferocious onslaught on the family and the related fundamental institution of marriage from outside Africa something they attributed it to diverse sources. Women, referred to at the First Special Assembly for Africa as "beasts of burden", have begun to emerge in certain countries to prominence and to leadership roles in law, politics, economics and engineering. But they are also "undeveloped resources" in certain countries, suffering exclusion from social roles, inheritance, education and decision-making places. The issue of "migration" came up for special mention, on account of emerging legislations in Western countries, which appear designed to keep out Africans. The assembly was also invited to consider the issue of "ethnicity". When it develops exclusivist traits, it destroys community living, becomes intolerant of other cultures and ethnic groups, like racism. Socio-Political Sphere: Apart from the lone mention of Senegal's political stability, South Africa's democratic governance and Ghana's increasing success with democratic governance, most of the references to politics and governance on the continent were very critical for various reasons, and proposed that local Churches establish chaplaincies and accompany politicians with formation in the "Doctrine of the Social Teachings of the Church". Socio-Economic Sphere: "Poor" and "poverty" were two recurrent expressions which the Synod Fathers generally used about their countries, governments, people and Churches. The poverty of the people had justified, in several interventions, development projects undertaken by the Church. ... On the national and governmental level, the assembly criticised the incidence of corruption and bribery, and the negotiation of contracts with investors, particularly of extractive industries, which bring no profit to the people, but cause conflicts and environmental degradation. Industrialisation is low in most African countries; and their economies are agricultural and producers of raw material ... needing assistance from foreign Governments, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to finance their budgets and carry out development projects. The Church may see the present and persistent shadows in Africa as challenges and opportunities to grow in intimacy with the Lord. The challenges above and the very many more which were mentioned in the assembly (environment, arms- trafficking, etc.), invite us to a true conversion of hearts. THE STRENGTHENING OF FAITH IN CHRIST The assembly was reminded once that "a Synod of Bishops cannot be understood as a special session for Africa of the United Nations with its public declarations". This was a powerful reminder to the synodal assembly of its being a Church-gathering and a faith-assembly that, in the power of the Holy Spirit, professes faith in God and in Christ, His Son, and has gathered to discern God's will and direction for His family in Africa. Thus, the Synod Fathers variously affirmed in their interventions the Christ- centeredness of the synodal theme, and the need to approach and to live it Christ-centred. ... Thus all forms of experience and practice of the synodal theme (reconciliation, justice and peace) need to be "evangelised" by the Gospel. CHRIST OUR RECONCILIATION It is our relationship in Christ with God and with one another which requires reconciliation; and its purpose is to repair and to restore the communion that God's covenant and our sonship in Christ establish, but which sin threatens and breaks up. The Synod Fathers listened to testimonies of the ... urgency of reconciling enemies, and observed on its being an exercise in truth and merciful love. The liturgy and the Sacrament of Penance offer privileged moments for [its] celebration. The Synod Fathers also recounted several traditional methods of reconciliation, and wondered whether elements of these traditional celebrations could not enrich the forms of celebration of the Sacraments in the Church. In doing so, there should be no confusion about the efficacy of the celebration; for as was said in the assembly, it is "the Good News of the Precious Blood of Christ, given for the redemption of the whole world which transforms the cup of suffering of the very many victims of bloodshed on the continent". It requires a spirituality, and not a strategy! CHRIST OUR JUSTICE Reconciliation, as was also observed in the assembly, is the restoration of justice and the just demands of relationships. The justice (righteousness) of God and of His kingdom is a revelation of God, which is destined to be the righteousness of human beings. ... It is the revelation of Christ, "Who while we were still sinners died for us" to prove God's love for us. It is, therefore, the revelation of Christ as our justice/righteousness.The justice of Christian "diakonia" and the justice of our Christian living in the Church in Africa is the justice of the kingdom; and its principal characteristic is that it is justice exercised in love and mercy. ... Compensation is not [its] main purpose. [It aims] at healing through admission of guilt and pardon. CHRIST OUR PEACE Peace is the one term whose definition (as "education", as "development" and as "justice") was popularly cited by the Synod Fathers. ... The "peace" that is Christ does not have just a secular sense, it being the absence of conflict, the presence of harmony in the home and within the family, individual and communal (national) security and prosperity. "Peace", is not just when human beings and their societies fulfil their respective duties and recognise the rights of other persons and societies; and it is not just one of the results of working for justice. "Peace" essentially transcends the world and human efforts. It is a wholeness determined by God and bestowed on the man/woman of justice. But it is also as such righteous bearers on earth of the peace of Christ that we need to recall, as we did with "justice", that "peace" is an activity that goes beyond strict justice and requires love. It derives from communion with God and is aimed at the wellbeing of man (humanity). DISCIPLES, SERVANTS OF RECONCILIATION, JUSTICE AND PEACE To ensure its mission of reconciliation, justice and peace, the Church-Family of God in Africa should become aware of her identity, ponder her being and act attentively to the truth and faithfully to her mission. Her members should themselves be reconciled within her and be a model of Christ the Servant. The communion among pastors, the witness of their life, their relationships with co-workers and their treatment of employees, are several areas which deserve consideration. THE FAMILY All African cultures hold the family in great esteem. ... The Synod Fathers vigorously denounced the ideology and international programmes which are imposed on African countries under false pretexts or as conditions for development assistance. They are harmful for the family. ... There is the urgent need to re-define the family as the "domestic Church" and the primary place for education in love, reconciliation, justice and peace. THE DIGNITY OF WOMAN AND HER ROLE IN SERVICE TO RECONCILIATION, JUSTICE AND PEACE Women engender life and train other members of the family to be truly human. But their personal growth and development remains thwarted, frustrated by cultural traditions (genital mutilation) and their dignity wounded by modern situations (pornography, prostitution, violence and many kinds of humiliations in society). ... The Church-Family of God is invited to do something about the grave injustices which have been meted out to them. Women need to be recognised in society as well as in the Church as active members engaged in the life of the Church. Their contribution to the development and the protection of the human family, even in times of conflicts, must be recognised and appreciated. ... The Synod Fathers are called upon to give serious consideration and thought to women and to courageously highlight the potentialities of women already demonstrated in the management of their family life. They are certainly capable of doing a lot for the Church. Consequently, an in-depth evangelisation of traditional culture will help free them from certain customs and practices that are contrary to the Gospel, but which are still very much in vogue in certain societies today. THE SOCIO-RELIGIOUS SECTOR Fear and insecurity characterise the life of faith among many of the peoples of Africa (doubt, suspicion, self-defence, aggression, fear of evil spirits, divination, occultism, syncretism). ... The Catholic faithful find the sects appealing, because of problems in society that they may have, and because of their desire for quick solutions to their physical and psychological problems. ... The Synod Fathers were invited by some speakers to return to teaching basic elements of the Christian faith in order to help the faithful to live their daily lives in coherence with their faith. A balanced spirituality can help Christians to resist the pressures of the sects. As for injustices suffered (armed conflicts, violence), the Synod Father heard moving testimonies by persons who have experienced pardon - which show that Justice-Forgiveness-Truth are inseparable. What has been an injury inflicted cannot be repaired, unless the evil is recognised and confessed. Upon confession, forgiveness, requested and granted, frees both victim and perpetrator to establish a new and stronger relationship. It is crucial to convince the Christian faithful that the fraternal bonds established by Christ through the waters of Baptism and through His Blood are stronger than blood ties. ... Consequently, the sacred character and dignity of each person are recognised and respected no matter who a person is and whatever the situation in which he finds himself. ... The Eucharist as source and summit of Christian life should be where reconciliation and peace are best expressed. The same Body of Christ feeds us and the same Blood of Christ flows in our veins. The celebration of the Sacrament of Penance should vividly manifest its double aspects: personal and communitarian. In certain cases everything points to the communitarian celebration of reconciliation in order to dress and heal the wounds of families and societies ripped apart by situations of violence, conflict and war. As sin has a social dimension, so reconciliation should also engage the whole community. THE PROPHETIC MISSION OF THE CHURCH FAMILY OF GOD IN AFRICA The Church-Family of God, by her nature, her coherent social doctrine, her geographical extension and her solicitude for the good of the human person is in a better position than other organisations to assume the work of reconciliation, justice and peace in Africa. ... To speak of reconciliation, justice and peace and to guarantee a more sensible and better co-ordinated engagement between conflicting parties, bishops must speak with one voice within their episcopal conferences (national, regional or continental). It is necessary to create a synergy between all ecclesiastical institutions. ... in order to engage the Church's many aspects of life and activities in the service to reconciliation, justice and peace. The tragedy of the pandemic of HIV-AIDS was not overlooked by the Synod Fathers. ... The mission of the Church-Family of God in Africa, in living fidelity to the Gospel of Christ, is committed to the fight for the reduction of the social stigmatisation of the persons affected by HIV/AIDS, as it is in the effort to replace violence through building bridges of reconciliation, justice and peace and as it is committed to engaging public authorities in order to speak in the name of and on behalf of those who have no voice. An appeal was made for synergy and solidarity among all, so that diseases in Africa receive the same attention (treatment) as those of Europe. THE LAITY The conflicts in Africa force us to look at their recent history (the danger of exaggerated nationalism and the concept of race which are anti-Christian). Many Christians are in public offices, in political life and in places where decisions are taken (the parliament). Despite this, however, some laws contrary to Christian morals have been passed, especially concerning the family. ... The Synod Fathers recognised that it is not enough to train the lay faithful in political leadership in various countries on the continent, but it is also necessary to support them in their work in order to make them agents of change in society (good management of families, social responsibility and political organisations). THE MEDIA The coverage of African conflicts and their manipulation by the media constitute a challenge to the Church-Family of God in Africa. ... The power of the media can also be useful in spreading the Good News in a continent that is still largely characterised by the oral tradition and culture. A good technical and religious formation of Catholic agents of communication (especially in the social teachings of the Church) is a priority. ... Particular attention is to be given to youth. They are the first to be victimised by the devastating effects of globalisation on their moral standards and value system. THE CLERGY It is necessary to create a "ratio nationalis institutionis sacerdotalis", to help favour discernment and spiritual and affective formation, adapted to circumstances and persons. This rigorous discernment and a spiritual, affective formation adapted to situations will make of priests persons firmly rooted in their cultures and faithful to the teaching of the Church. THE CONSECRATED LIFE The Synodal Fathers are called upon to help religious life remain faithful to its prophetic mission by supporting it to carry out its mission. ONE CHURCH-FAMILY OF GOD WITH MANY FACES The Church-Family of God in the north of the Sahara has the same mission of service as the Church south of the Sahara. However, it is still not entirely integrated in the Church-Family of God in Africa. It is a "crossroad" Church (with many paths coming together), which, however, is called to be the "Church of the Pentecost", because it becomes a multi-cultural Church on account of the increasing number of sub-Saharian students. ... Despite its situation of being a Christian minority in the midst of Muslims, the Church has good dialogue rapport with Islam and is involved in different services to society: social, cultural and educational. The Synod Fathers from these Churches invited their brother-bishops to engage and to dialogue with other religions without "complexes": to overcome their fears and past burdens (relationships between the Arab world and black Africa), and to establish partnerships with Muslims of good will, so as to reduce tensions. CONCLUSION The task of the faithful lay person is to be "salt of the earth and light of the world", especially in those places where only the lay person is able to render the Church present. In this Synod, the sense has been variously expressed that the Church-Family of God in Africa must be transformed from within; and that she must transform the continent, its islands and the world like "salt" and "light". She envisages an apostolic mission, which her pastors and other pastoral workers have variously articulated in this assembly as: (1) Liberating the continent's people from fear of all sorts. (2) Ensuring a conversion that is deep and permanent, and a solid formation of all kinds. ... (3) Dialogue on all levels, including the environment. (4) Advocacy roles for various social concerns and needs, especially the place of women in society, the education of children and youth. (5) Migration and various forms of population movement which require our pastoral care. (6) The challenging ministry of changing attitudes and mentalities, freeing them from effects of a past of colonialism, exploitation, etc. (7) Positioning the continent and its people to resist the onslaught of globalisation and the attendant challenges of a global ethic, unjust trade conditions, ethnocentrism, fundamentalisms, etc. The polyvalent symbol, salt, expresses the very many forms of Paschal existence, under which the Church-Family of God in Africa must serve reconciliation, justice and peace (and now also truth, which this assembly has closely associated with them). The light of the Gospel leads us on.
October 13th I know I am a bit behind in these daily blogs... but I got back Monday night to Rome, played catch up yesterday and today and hope to sit down and wade through the summaries and my briefing notes to let you in on what is new... in the meantime enjoy some photos from my weekend in the mountains of Abruzzi... Ah, I could have stayed there forever....
 The small hamlet called Casale di Cocullo where my mother was born. I am having trouble downloading the other photos... the views down the valley is spectacular... Casale sits on a ridge that you see here, what is to the left that you see is magnificent..... I will keep trying......
October 10th
This morning I am attending a conference sponsored by the Union of Superior Generals on Religous Life in Africa Today. This will be held at the Generalate of the DeLaSalle Christian Brothers. After that engagement I am going to take what they call here “una pausa”.... a pause.... I am travelling up to the Abruzzi to visit my 98 year old aunt for a couple of days.... I will return on Monday with more on the Synod... buon weekend a tutti!
October 9th
At the briefing this afternoon we had the presence of Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer Buckle, the Archbishop of Accra   Issues reported from the Synod Hall were: the development of relations of the Vatican with the many newly independent countries of Africa since 1950... in I950 there were only 2 nunciatures: Liberia and Egypt. Today there are 32. The synod spoke on the role of education, a service that can help people witness in ways where understanding moves from the head to the heart. Three of the Sister auditors spoke: The sister Archbishop Palmer Buckle of Accra, Ghana outside Vaticn Press Office from Ghana spoke of hte need for more collaboration in the Church. The sister from DRC spoke of the situation of women, especially in her country. The sister from Rwanda shared her experience of reconciliation, serving in prison ministry, meeting the person who killed her father, and the power of reconciliation that she experienced as she forgave him and ministered to him. Fr. Sean O’Leary of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute spoke of the experience of aparteid and the need to build a culture of peace, suggesting “peace elders”, religious leaders who had experienced being the bridges between the characters in conflict who could now coach other religious leaders who find themselves in similar situations.  Dialogue with Islam was mentioned again, as well as the challenge of family apostolate and lastly, forming a culture of reconciliation. During the briefing, the Pauline Sisters presented the new 4 volume Liturgy of the Hours for Africa. It is now published in Nairobi, is less expensive than the ones we have had to purchase from England or the States, and includes the feasts of some of the more recent African Saints. It was also mentioned how more and more lay people wish to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. It also was said that praying the psalms, with the very creative ways that the psalms express the human longing for peace, justice and struggle for right relations with others and God, is a framework for our prayer in these challenging times..... For the rest of the time, Archbishop Palmer Buckle responded to questions from the journalists. He spoke of a sense that the challenges that many of the bishops of Africa were expressing is shared by other parts of the world as well. Reconciliation and Justice is needed not only in Africa, but Philippines, South America, US and Festus Tarawalie and Archbishop Palmer Buckle the like... As they have listened to each other, a lot of commonality has been discovered. So far they have simply been listening to each other through these 5 minute reports. Next week they will begin an exercise in “judging” or reflecting on what they heard with the third week being moving to action through the propositions which will be formed.... This is the old YCS method of Cardinal Cardjin! He was asked to respond to the witness of the three sisters. He was very open in his appreciation of their sharing and challenge for the Church. He stated that the way he sees it 75% of those who are active and involved in Church affairs are women, and Church would not be the same without them. The Bishops must find more ways to collaborate with women and bring to bear their charism as women. On the question of polygamy which another Ghanian Bishop raised in the hall, he mentioned that this issue was addressed in an earlier synod on the family, referred to the Bishops of Africa for further consultation, and as of yet, still to be deterimined. The question at hand was the issue of the desire of a first wife in a polygamous marriage to be baptized and fully initiatied into the Christian Community. Could complimentory norms be implimented locally that would pastorally address situations like this? They are looking into this, but all said and done, polygamy is becoming less as years go by.
He touched upon the careful review of other issues such as the permanent Diaconate and its relation to priesthood, celibacy as real sacrifice for those who embrace it. When asked about any convergence of themes from this first week, he spoke of his sense that the need of reconciliation as a service to humanity would make the work of Justice and Peace as powerful and clear service of our church.... in the same sense that we once spoke of the Option for the poor... now we would speak of the option for Justice and peace, central to our Christian Message. He was asked a question about President Obama, since it was just announced that he received the Nobel Peace Prize. Archbishop recalled the visit of the president to Ghana. He shared the powerful sense that Obama’s election proved that if greater appreciation and space be given to people of color, they are very capable of leadership and the sharing of their gifts. And President Obama, more than any past US President, is a son of Africa and can speak to African Leaders as no other US president could. And the fact that as a Luo who could be elected President of the US, but not of Kenya, that is a challenge!! He may be the one to move the political process beyond tribe. With reference to the situation in the Central African Republic where strained relations between clergy and bishops exist due to nominations of leadership beyond tribe, etc. although not conversant in all the details of that issue, archbishop did address a short sightedness on the “african renaisance” that some clergy are advocating where petty minded ethnocentrism becomes a threat to unity of the Church... in the name of inculturation, selection of Bishops from only the local ethnic groups hinders our catholicity and unity that goes beyond tribe. He concluded his time with us by sharing some powerful insights. He shared that we are celebrating this Synod on Africa not because Africa is a sick child, but because of its potential... a continent and a church that is full of vitality, joy, life and spirit.... in need of help and attention to grow well, like any young person would need. Not only do the Bishops see this potential but so do leaders of the G8. This vitality and giftedness, if not attended to well, could either be exploited and robbed by others from the outside or wasted by lack of direction and mismanagment from within. The challenge is ours and the challenge is now.
Later in the afternoon, the small reflection group made up of myself, Pete Henriot, Sean O’Leary, John Katunga and Jean Baptiste Talle and the secretary general of IMISSA was convened. John Allen of the NCR joined us. The sense from what had been shared so far in the Synod Hall is that many topics have been touched upon, maybe too many, but three seem to be emerging as issues that call for attention: The moral and ethical issues which undermine trade, economic, security and health... a need for some Global ethic of sorts to frame these realities of today; Migration and all the challenges that lead to it and result from it; the family as the foundation for reconciliation, life and witness.... But, it still may be too early in the process to know where the synod is going with all this... so we look forward to our meetings next week where we will pick up our reflections....
In the evening, the Missionary Institutes of Rome again hosted a gathering, this time at the Generalate of the Consolata Missionaries. This evenings guest was an archbishop from Gabon, I think is was Mons Mve Engone of Libraville, but I could be wrong.... Archbishop Monswengo of Congo was to have been the speaker, but he was not available. The Archbishop had been asked to  speak to the time between the first and second african synods, to track various changes, challenged, developments. He shared not only the impact of that first african synod, but also how the other ordinary synods, that of Eucharist, Bishops and the recent synod on the Word of God, formed a grounding in Africa of who we are and how we are as Church, rooted in Sacrament and Word, now recognizing the need to be instruments of reconciliation. There were also continental meetings, like that in Kumasi on Liturgy, in Dar as Salaam on doctrine an in Nairobi on migration....There have been pastoral letters by various individual bishops or conferences that have contributed to a better understanding of service, peace and good governance. There have been a large number of local diocesan synods. There is a rise in Cathoic Universities throughout the continent. These contribute to a growing understanding of how our faith connects with our African reality. On the  negative side there has been a lot of social change in Africa.. There are more refugees, internal and external, than ever before. Poverty seems to be increasing, paralyzing any efforts to move forward. There has been some positive moves as we see some of the criminals of these conflicts brought to the ICC. On the economic plain, the debts are still a burden. Regarding commerce, he feels that african voices are not there to help balance commerce so that Africa could get its fair share. We need to rethink and engage better the many aspects of our world. The first African Synod framed the pastoral challenge. This second one now needs to act. During the question and answer period that followed responses deepened these issues. But the issue that stirred the most passion was that of migration. It seemed that the participants wanted the Bishops to speak strongly to the unjust treatment of migrants, especially those who dare cross the Mediterranean Sea. The number of deaths is unacceptable, some said. This is an issue that the Bishops need to take on. The discussion actually moved on to the street as the Archbishop and people exited the hall. As only in Rome..........
Another note.... the other night I was at our Generalate (Xaverian Missionaries) where some of the English speaking West African Bishops are being hosted. I spoke with Bishop Bobby Ellison of the Gambia, a Spiritan missionary. He shared with me the challenge of this first week, one of intense listening and learning from the various stories from the continent, but he said that there was a very pleasant spirit in the Synod Hall, where serious discussion and challenging issues are mixed with good humour, banter and laughter. He is impressed by the friendly and supportive spirit that he can see among them.
October 8th
It was reported at the briefing that the Synod Fathers at their general session spoke of the following: Dialogue, gender issues, sects, youth the pillaging of national resources, Service outreach done by Islam as outreach to the community.... and more.... Fr. Kieran O’Reilly, the Superior General of the Society of African Missions, used 3 of his 5 minute intervention to speak of AFJN. A brief of his statement is: Inspired by their faith commitment and informed by Catholic Social Teaching, a number of Missionary and Religious congregations have formed networks to meet this challenge. I refer in particular to the work of the Africa Faith and Justice Network. The particular concern of these networks is to address issues of structural injustice rooted in European and United States policies that affect Africa adversely...... It seems he went on to say that unless these injustices were addressed, all the talk of reconciliation and peace would be wasted. He also went on to use his remaining time to speak of the witness of Religious Communities that now have many Africans as members, witnessing that we could live and serve beyond tribal affiliations. Also that Africa is poorly served by the mass media.
October 7th
In brief, I used the morning to do a lot of reading that I have to catch up with. I attended the press briefing at 1:10pm and then attended a core meeting with Fr. Pius Rutechura of AMECEA, Peter Henriot of Zambia. Also in attendance were John Katunga of Kenya and Jean Baptiste Talla of Cameroon who both work for CRS. Sean O’Leary of the Denis Hurley Institute in South Africa was to have been with us, but he did not arrive. This meeting will be a regular meeting where we will share our take on what is happening and aid in any way we can the reflection that is supportive of the Synod. In the evening I was invited to join the Community of Pope John XXIII as they hosted a number of the bishops for supper.... more on that below.
The day's report from inside the Synod Hall at the press briefing mentioned that in the morning, the Bishops worked in small groups. A delegation of Bishops did visit with the Mayor of Rome during this session. The core of the discussions there were on cooperation on issues of development, the GMOs, regulating migratory flows, welcoming political refugees and Rome’s contribution in the light of the FAO summit next month.
In the afternoon there was the fifth general session and there were 14 interventions by the Bishops with issues presented ranging from interreligious dialogue, gender issues, schools and centers of formation, sects and the pillaging of natural resources. Cardinal Arinze made a pointed intervention regarding the importance of priests, religious communities and even the appointment of Bishops, taken from various tribes, but working in other areas as a strong sign that the Church models a way of being beyond ones tribe and language group. This is an underlying and recurring issue that the Bishops are raising at the Synod.
In the evening I had been invited to join the community of Pope John XXIII to sup with a number of the Bishops at a nearby hotel (I know this is a tough assignment, but someone has to do it). I met members of that community at the evening session organized by the Missionary Associations of Rome (CIMI) the other night when I spoke about restorative justice and youth. The members of the community present were impressed with this idea of restorative justice, which they say they had never heard before, and asked me to join them last evening... so I did. This community, started some 40 years ago in Italy by Fr. Oreste Benzi and has been present in Africa since 1983. It first went to Zambia and then Tanzania in 1998 and Kenya in 1997. In those countries the majority of the members are local and the projects mainly address those who suffer with HIV/AIDS, street children and people with disabilities. In 1992 the community initiated Operazione Columba, a type of nonviolent peace corps. Its actions in any conflict begins with sharing the victims’ daily lives, living their living standards and difficulties and being in true solidarity with those affected by war. It reminded me of the work of folks from the States who accompanied the migrants in Central America during the wars there some years ago... It seems that the real presence of others in areas of conflict protect or minimize the violence done to these innocent people. Operazione Colomba was present in the Balkans, East Timor, Chiapas, Chechnya, Lsovo, Istrael/Palestine, Georgia, Colombia, Sierra Leone, Congo and Uganda. So, with us last night were: Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Nigeria, Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Northern Uganda, Bishop Michael Wustenberg of Aliwal, South Africa, one of the three bishops of Congo Brazzaville, Fr. Martin of the Justice and Peace Office of SECAM and myself. After a wonderful supper the community shared their hope that the bishops would be able to lift up during the Synod the many non violent responses of the Church that the community itself is aware of that happen throughout Africa. They seemed to think that this had not been done before. There was a “pregnant pause” after their report and appeal and then Archbishop Onaiyekan broke the ice to share that this has been done for years, bishops responding to conflicts in non violent ways. He and I recalled the initiative of CRS, Ducquene University and George Mason University’s Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution which took place in Pittsburgh in 1994 when 12 African Bishops from across the continent were invited to this meeting and in closed door sessions, told their stories of intervention, mediation and peace building as religious leaders. Many of them were not aware of what their brother bishops were doing, like Archbishop DeSousa of Togo and Archbishop Michael Francis of Liberia to name a few. This weeklong experience did offer them the support and solidarity that was needed at the time. Also, as the academic staff of both Ducquene and George Mason’s ICAR listened, frameworks for peace intervention by religious leaders could be drawn from the shared experience of these bishops. And their has been on going work by the Peace network that is coordinated by Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute... But alas, often times this could remain in some academic’s file or be lost in programing that only reaches those in cities.... But there is no need to reinvent the wheel. It has been turning, maybe slowly, but it is there. Archbishop Odama was able to share his experience of mediation between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army. It is an ongoing challenge to be a bridge between the two, often times not fully trusted by either side, but committed to a non violent process of personal meetings and challenges towards true peace. In the end it turned out to be a very informative and helpful evening. Another is scheduled for October 16th with other bishops. I will try to be there. It is hard to pass up a good meal and a stimulating discussion. Someone has to do it.
October 6th
In the morning I was able to go to the Vatican Press office and pick up my temporary press credentials. This means that I can attend the briefings that the Vatican Press office holds on each of the days when the Synod has a general assembly. There are also a few opportunities from Press Conferences and a pool of journalists who can actually enter into the Synod Hall at appropriate times. I am not sure if I will attend all the briefings and conferences, but at least I have the possibility of being part of this outreach.
At the briefing held by the Vatican Press office it was reported that yesterday the synod fathers used the morning for small groups in one of the three official languages: English, French and Portuguese. In the afternoon they had the 4th general assembly. Topics brought to the fore were:
In the evening I was able to be a part of one of the discussion groups that various entities have set up throughout this month to  either to mix and mingle with the Synod Delegates and receive their take on what is happening, or opportunities to deepen the many issues and topics that are found in the Instrumentum Laboris (the agenda of the Synod). This evening’s topic was reconciliation. There was a layman from Zambia who is one of the auditors who is part of the Pope John XXIII Community that presented his take on reconciliation and the levels of conflict resolution that one needs to be aware of in preventing or working through a conflict. The other presenter was a Comboni Sister, also at the
An Expert from Zambia and a member of the Community of Pope John XXIII with Fr. Alex and Fr. Fernando, both Comboni Missionaries Synod as an expert, who was asked to speak to the gathering about the place of women. Both had been in the Synod Hall all day and did not have a lot of time to take with this evening group. So her sharing was not as long and profound as the organizers had hoped. But she did give an insight that I found helpful. She mentioned that although in the beginning the interventions made by individual bishops seemed all over the place, as time goes on, they seem to coalesce easier... People are listening to one another and there seems to be movement towards clarity... Now this is only the second day of assembly and sharing, but there is a trend. Also, she mentioned how the role of the experts seems to be that of both listening to the contributions and then, towards the end of the  The gathering was scheduled to start at 6:30 pm. Many of us arrived on time and we soon found out that the synod itself does not end for the day until 7:00 pm... so they had me come on and present some of the work of AFJN in relation to reconciliation. I was able to speak of our Restorative Justice Project as a grassroot means of supporting and guaranteeing a lasting reconciliation post conflict which engages the community and does not victimize the victimizer. It was very well received. One from the Pope John XXIII community said she had never heard of restorative justice as a process in Italy, but she could see the great need. But as she shared with me after the work of the Pope John XXIII community in a number of countries that have experienced conflict, I believe that they were actually doing restorative justice, but were not able to articulate what they were doing....
 October 5th
Today is the first working day of the Synod. No pictures today. In fact, I did not go to the Vatican, as such, since I have not retrieved my press credentials which I hope to get tomorrow. However, I did receive the Bulletin which spoke of the proceeds of the day.
I am not sure of the order, but I am lead to believe that Cardinal Arinze opened the morning with a welcome and thanks to the Pope for this Synod. It was then followed by a report by the General Secretary of the Synods Archbishop Nikola Eterovic. that fleshed out the synod process, the history of what was done so far, and some methodological observations. Some interesting information: There are 244 members of the Second Special Assembly for Africa. 78 participate by reason of their office, 129 are elected members and 36 are papal appointees. Among these are 33 cardinals, 9 archbishops and 156 bishops. 37 are presidents of Episcopal conferences, 189 are ordinaries, 4 are coadjutors are auxiliaries and 8 are retired bishops. There are 29 experts and 49 auditors who will contribute their testimony to the proceedings. Then there are technical advisors, translators and other assistants in the hall. And then there are the flies on the walls of Rome like me...I am not sure of that number. We could very well be legion!!!! But they did not mention us in their report.... but we are out there none the less. It was reported that the Catholic population world-wide is 17.3%. However in Africa it is higher.... 17.5% which is a dynamic growth since 1994 when the first Synod for Africa was held when the percentage was only 14%. There are dramatic increases in every category: 16.21% growth in the number of dioceses; 28.07 increase of Bishops; 49.09 increase in all priests - 78.97% for the dioceses and 11.40% for religious communities; 23.61% increase of permanent deacons; 22.84 % increase for non clerical religious; 32.62% increase for consecrated Religious; 48.30% increase of members of secular institutes; 94% increase of Lay missionaries, 33.31 % increase of Catechists, and 44.40% increase of seminarians. The report also documented the many who gave their lives for the faith on the continent in recent years. It also spoke of other developments; the one that interests me is that there are now 8 regional and 34 national commissions for justice and Peace throughout Africa. And there are 12 institutes and centers to promote the social doctrine of the Church. The report contains other numbers regarding the outreach in the fields of heath and education... These are impressive numbers, but Africa is also very big!!!! It all sounded like a big thank you to all who make it happen. And it is well deserved. The report continues with a recall of what has happened since the Synod was called to be in 2004, what was sent out, how many responses to the questionnaires came back, the lineamenta (projected direction paper) and now how the instrumentum laboris (working guide for the actual synod) was put together. On the methodogical side, there is a handbook for synods that each participant need follow; there will be 20 general assembly meetings and 9 working group sessions for the synod. Each Synod Bishop is allowed 5 minutes to make a presentation in the Hall in the course of the general assemblies... These are determined by theme as they are found in the working guide. (I wonder where the comments by those who found missing pieces from the working guide will be aired....but that is their issue).. Each day when there are general assemblies the last hour will e an open discussion. There was mention of some of the special guests at the Synod: His Holiness Abuna Paulos, the Patriach o the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, who will be with the synod on October 6th. This Christian Church goes back to apostolic times. There will also be the presence of Mr. Jacque Diouf, the Director General of FAL who will share with the synod delegates information about food security in Africa. Also, Mr. Rudolf Adada, the former special representative of the Joint United nationals African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur will come and acquaint the assembly on the efforts towards peace in the Darfur region. All the interventions made by the synod participants will be made public. I have not found where those are yet... but hey, this is just day one. The General Secretary’s report ended with a reminder of the theme of reconciliation... The next input was given by Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana. He is one of the General Relators of the Synod. He, too, reported the progress made by the Church in Africa since the first African Synod, with more detail than the previous. and raised some of the themes and issues that the Synod would confront, weaving it all into a foundational sharing that would create a kind of spirituality to draw direction and strength from... contextualizing the issues in faith and reality order to offer the unique direction which the synod may choose to take. After these reports I am told there was room for discussions. The day was to end with an extended open space discussion, lead by Archbishop Monsengwo of Kinshasa, who was charged with rekindling the enthusiasm characterized at the first African Synod.
 October 4th
This morning dawned bright and beautiful. It was one of those wonderful Roman mornings where the clear sky is touched with hues of rose and blue as the sun rose from its sleep. Could this be a sign of a new dawn for Africa? That was my prayer. Fr. Paul Tiga, the International Chaplain for the Young Christian Student Movement, and I took an early walk to St. Peter’s Square in order to get a place in the Basilica for the 9:30am Mass with the Synod Bishops. We arrived there at 8:00 and the cue was already long, but once the security gates were opened, we all passed through in a timely manner. Needless to say there were MANY African clergy and sisters there, many students of the universities here, many were councilors for their communities that have their 
 His introduction to the penance rite was touching: “Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are here reunited around the tomb of the Apostle Peter to call anew the gift of the Spirit on this assembly of the Synod of Bishops, to renew and reinvigorate the Church which is the sign and instrument of reconciliation, justice and peace, especially for the grand continent of Africa. We again are in need of a posture of conversion, turning our eyes and hearts to the Lord Jesus. We recognize again our sins and in union with all the martyrs and saints of Africa, we ask for the gift of a new heart and a new spirit to prepare us well to celebrate these sacred mysteries.”
The whole congregation was bathed in water (well, sprinkled) as a lingala song of purification was sung. The readings were 
He began by making reference to the First African Synod 15 years ago and the connectedness of both.. an on-going journey of faith and mission. He welcomed the Synod participants, curia and especially the visitors from other churches in Africa, notably the Patriarch from Ethiopia (I think of the Coptic Church but I could be wrong). Bringing his attention to the readings (the second Genesis creation story and the Gospel on divorce) he mentioned that we could talk about marriage in these cases, but here is a deeper and more fundamental message of the common origin of all in and from God. Children know this insight better than adults. That may be why at the end of today’s Gospel Jesus asked us all to imitate children. This could give us insight to the challenge we have in Africa with the diversity of the many cultures. There is something that brings us all together, deeper than the very cultures we draw our identity and strength from... the unity of humanity, modeled in the strength of union that Jesus proposes and the companionship that the Genesis story shares.
He returned to Ecclesia in Africa and the first synod. Synods are opportunities for a review of that has been and a chance for renewal and to experience the fraternity of this continental Church, especially during this year of Priests. He concluded his homily by inviting all to pray for the Synod, even those who are sick and suffering, in Africa and beyond, that we may understand the unity that ties us together as one.
There was an extraordinarily long pause for reflection after his homily (and also after communion) I liked it. The praying community was so quiet that we could hear the clicks of the camera by the tourists who were around milling around the periphery of the Basilica.
The Prayers of the Faithful were done in a variety of languages. The prayer for the Church was in Swahili. The prayer for the Pope was in Portuguese. The prayer for all Bishops, especially those from Africa was in Amahric. The prayer for governments was in Hausa and the prayer for those who suffer persecution for Gospel sake was in Lingala. The last prayer for those who suffer disease, war and famine on the continent of Africa was in Arabic.
But all in all, it was an uplifting beginning, grounded in faith and as I have heard over these last few days, a concern to stir the heart to a deeper groundedness in God. As much as I believe that to be very important and true, I hope it is not an excuse to blunt what needs to be said by our Church leadership as we all confront the injustices of today’s African world. The time for Solidarity, Justice and Peace is now. My two cents: Keep it real.
 The rest of the day was free. I believe the work starts tomorrow. I know that there are going to be a number of opportunities for discussions and interactions with synod delegates that are being planned throughout the weeks in the evenings. It will be from those sessions that I will be reporting back to you what I hear in terms of the sharing an progress of the synod.....
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, Georgia processing into St. Peters.October 3rd,Today was not a day for meetings...thank God. It was a beautiful sunny Roman Day to be outside and enjoy it. And we were. I was able to join Edouard and Fr. Paul from the International Young Christian Student team as they visited a few of the offices here in Rome to share with officials here their work. So we started out at Cor Unum, one of the offices that supports the efforts of the team and helps them plan some of the regional and international events. We met with a Phillipine Sister who is the secretary and dean of the office as well as a Monsignor from Holland who is the director. It is amazing how quickly these staffers are able to direct Edouard and Fr. Paul both the resource persons and financial institutions that can make their organizing easier... We are very well
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