VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 181
DATE 20-10-2014

Summary:
- Francis in the Consistory: we cannot resign ourselves to a Middle East
without Christians
- Consistory: peace, reconciliation and religious freedom in the Middle East
- Pope Francis closes the Synod and beatifies Paul VI
- Angelus: Paul VI, tireless supporter of the missio ad gentes
- The Final Report and votes conclude the work of the Synod of Bishops
- The Pope speaks to the Synod Fathers: we walk a path together
- Audience with the Prime Minister of Vietnam: important step in relations
with the Holy See
- Christians and Hindus: together to foster a culture of inclusion
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

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 Francis in the Consistory: we cannot resign ourselves to a Middle East
without Christians
 Vatican City, 20 October 2014 (VIS) - This morning, in the New Synod Hall,
there commenced the Ordinary Public Consistory, presided at by Pope Francis,
for the canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz, priest of the Oratory of St.
Philip Neri, founder of the Oratory of the Holy Cross of Miracles in Goa. and
Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception, foundress of the Oblation Sisters
of the Holy Sacrament.
 The Holy Father wished to dedicate the opening of the Consistory to the
Middle East, and in particular, the situation experienced by Christians.
Francis thanked those brothers from the region for their presence, remarking
that "We share a desire for peace and stability in the Middle East, and the
will the promote the resolution of conflicts through dialogue, reconciliation
and political commitment. At the same time, we would like to give all the help
possible to Christian communities to support them in remaining in the region.
... We cannot resign ourselves to imagining a Middle East without Christians,
who have profess the name of Jesus there for over two thousand years".
 The Pope emphasised his concerns regarding recent events, especially in Iraq
and Syria. "We are witnessing a phenomenon of terrorism on an unimaginable
scale", he commented. "Many of our brothers and sisters are brutally
persecuted and driven from their homes. It seems that an awareness of the
value of human life has been lost; it as is if people do not count and can be
sacrificed to other interests. And unfortunately all this encounters
indifference on the part of many".
 "This unjust situation requires, aside from our constant prayer, an adequate
response on the part of the international community. I am sure that, with the
Lord's help, today's meeting will produce valid reflections and suggestions to
enable us to help our brothers who suffer, and also to face the crisis of the
reduction of the Christian presence in the land where Christianity was born
and from where it spread".

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 Consistory: peace, reconciliation and religious freedom in the Middle East
 Vatican City, 20 October 2014 (VIS) - The Ordinary Consistory began with
greetings from the Holy Father and the report from the Secretary of State,
Pietro Parolin, on the meeting of apostolic nuncios and diplomatic
representatives in the Middle East, which took place in the Vatican from 2 to
4 October.
 Immediately after, the Cardinals and Patriarchs present in the Synod Hall
intervened. The Patriarchs of the Middle Eastern Churches described the
situations and principal problems faced by the Churches in the countries
concerned (Iraq, Syria, Egypt, the Holy Land, Jordan, Lebanon). There were
approximately thirty interventions, focusing mainly on the need for peace and
reconciliation in the Middle East, the defence of religious freedom, support
for local communities, the great importance of education for creating new
generations able to engage in dialogue, and the role of the international
community.
 With regard to the first point, it was underlined that the Middle East
urgently needs to redefine its future; the importance of Jerusalem was
highlighted, in its role as "capital of faith" for the three great
monotheistic religions, and the need was emphasised for a solution to the
Israeli-Palestine and Syrian conflicts. In relation to the violence
perpetrated by Isis, it was reiterated that no-one may kill in the name of God.
 In relation to religious freedom, it was remarked that, along with freedom of
worship and conscience, it is a fundamental human right, innate and universal,
and a value for all humanity. Alongside this right, the need was underlined
for Christians to recognise the civil rights of other citizens, especially in
countries where religion is not currently separate from the State.
 Furthermore, with regard to the support for local communities in the region,
it was repeated that a Middle East without Christians would be a grave loss
for all, as they have a fundamental role in maintaining equilibrium in the
region, and have important commitments in the education sector. It is
therefore essential to encourage Christians to stay in the Middle East and to
persevere in their mission, as they have always contributed to the wellbeing
of the countries where they live. From this perspective, there was a
reflection on the problem of the migration of Christians: they must be
welcomed in the Churches and in the States to which they emigrate, where it is
hoped there will be adequate pastoral structures for the various rites.
Moreover, it was requested that humanitarian aid to the Middle East be
continued, to encourage Christians to remain in the area, and that the various
manifestations of solidarity possible on the part of the Churches of other
countries be cultivated, also by means of journeys and pilgrimages.
 In relation to education, it was noted that in many Middle Eastern countries,
school text books do not refer positively to beliefs other than the State
religion, and that this requires reflection on the part of local institutions.
From this point of view, it was hoped that greater interreligious dialogue
with Muslims, starting from the common foundation of reason, would be of use,
along with lively ecumenical cooperation, so that all the Churches of the
Middle East might make their voices heard as one.
 A request was made for the International community to guarantee to Christian
refugees the possibility of returning to their homes as soon as possible,
creating "safety zones", for instance on the Nineveh Plain. Finally, an appeal
was made for all those who have been kidnapped in the Middle East, in order
that the world not forget about them.

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 Pope Francis closes the Synod and beatifies Paul VI
 Vatican City, 19 October 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Mass celebrated at 10.30 a.m.
in St. Peter's Square this morning, during which Pope Paul VI was proclaimed
Blessed, closed the Synod of Bishops devoted to "Pastoral challenges to the
family in the context of evangelisation". The ceremony was attended by Pope
emeritus Benedict XVI and 70,000 faithful from all over the world, and the
Holy Father concelebrated with the cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops and
presbyters who took part in the Synod.
 Following the rite of beatification and the Gospel reading, Francis
pronounced a homily in which he emphasised that during the Synod, the
participants felt "felt the power of the Holy Spirit who constantly guides and
renews the Church ... called to waste no time in seeking to bind up open
wounds and to rekindle hope in so many people who have lost it". He described
the new Blessed as a "courageous Christian, a tireless apostle and the great
helmsman of the Council".
 "We have just heard one of the most famous phrases in the entire Gospel:
'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are
God's'. Goaded by the Pharisees who want to put him to the test in matters of
religion, Jesus gives this ironic and brilliant reply. It is a striking phrase
which the Lord has bequeathed to all those who experience qualms of
conscience, particularly when their comfort, their wealth, their prestige,
their power and their reputation are in question. This happens all the time;
it always has".
 He continued, "Jesus puts the stress on the second part of the phrase: 'and
[render] to God the things that are God's'. This means acknowledging and
professing - in the face of any sort of power - that God alone is the Lord of
mankind, that there is no other. This is the perennial newness to be
discovered each day, and it requires mastering the fear which we often feel at
God's surprises. God is not afraid of the new! That is why he is continually
surprising us, opening our hearts and guiding us in unexpected ways. He renews
us: he constantly makes us 'new'. A Christian who lives the Gospel is 'God's
newness' in the Church and in the world. How much God loves this 'newness'!".
 "'Rendering to God the things that are God's' means being docile to his will,
devoting our lives to him and working for his kingdom of mercy, love and
peace. Here is where our true strength is found; here is the leaven which
makes it grow and the salt which gives flavour to all our efforts to combat
the prevalent pessimism which the world proposes to us. Here too is where our
hope is found, for when we put our hope in God we are neither fleeing from
reality nor seeking an alibi: instead, we are striving to render to God what
is God's. That is why we Christians look to the future, God's future. It is so
that we can live this life to the fullest - with our feet firmly planted on
the ground - and respond courageously to whatever new challenges come our way".
 "In these days, during the extraordinary Synod of Bishops, we have seen how
true this is. 'Synod' means 'journeying together'. And indeed pastors and lay
people from every part of the world have come to Rome, bringing the voice of
their particular Churches in order to help today's families walk the path the
Gospel with their gaze fixed on Jesus. It has been a great experience, in
which we have lived synodality and collegiality, and felt the power of the
Holy Spirit who constantly guides and renews the Church. For the Church is
called to waste no time in seeking to bind up open wounds and to rekindle hope
in so many people who have lost it. For the gift of this Synod and for the
constructive spirit which everyone has shown, in union with the Apostle Paul
'we give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our
prayers'. May the Holy Spirit, who during these busy days has enabled us to
work generously, in true freedom and humble creativity, continue to guide the
journey which, in the Churches throughout the world, is bringing us to the
Ordinary Synod of Bishops in October 2015. We have sown and we continued to
sow, patiently and perseveringly, in the certainty that it is the Lord who
gives growth to what we have sown".

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