mind that this project is the composition of three texts that have already been
received in the Circuli minores - whose reports were read in plenary and
published - further interventions must be advanced with regard to the
collective
work conducted so far.
 Subsequently, the above Commission oversees the preparation of the final text
of the Relatio finalis, to be presented on the morning of Saturday 24 October
in
plenary session and submitted for approval to the Assembly in the afternoon.
 In accordance with the nature of the Synod, this document, the result of the
collective work of the Fathers (cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 343), will be
consigned to the Holy Father (cf. Ordo Synodi Episcoporum, Art. 23 § 4), who is
responsible for decisions.
 4) Given the large number of those entitled to speak (318 Fathers, the
fraternal delegates and auditors) and the extra space reserved for Circuli
minores (13 sessions), each speaker has the right to speak in the House for
three minutes and to intervene extensively in the Circuli. As in the past, the
General Congregations are granted one hour each, dedicated to free
interventions
by the Fathers. In addition, it is always possible to submit other written
texts
to the General Secretariat, in addition to the texts in paper and electronic
formats presented in the Assembly Hall.
 5) Considering that media communication and information during the last
Extraordinary General Assembly was abundant and comprehensive, the same methods
will also be used in relation to this General Assembly. In this regard, it is
essential to bear in mind the basic criterion mentioned by the Holy Father on a
number of occasions: the Synod must be a safe space so that the Holy Spirit can
act and so that the Fathers have the freedom to express themselves with
parresia.
 During the three weeks, the briefing will be maintained as the basis for
providing information; it will however be expanded, with a greater presence of
the Synod Fathers, and using all available means of communication. The Fathers
are free to communicate with the media at their own discretion and
responsibility. The various stages in the development of the basic document
remain confidential, since during the synodal process, the texts are subject to
continuous developments right up to the final draft. However, the reports of
the
Circuli minori on the three aspects of the work of the Synod will be published.
A special Commission, together with the Holy See Press Office, will as usual be
responsible for providing information on the Synod.
 Further information
 On Saturday 17 October from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, the Commemoration of the 50th
Anniversary of the Synod of Bishops will take place in the Paul VI Hall. The
event is open to all who wish to participate, as well as those attending the
Synod. In the mind of Blessed Paul VI, who instituted it on 15 September 1965,
the Synod was intended to perpetuate the spirit of Vatican Council II in the
Church, so that even after its conclusion, it would continue to receive that
'great abundance of benefits that we have been so happy to see flow to the
Christian people during the time of the Council as a result of Our close
collaboration with the bishops'.
 After the introduction by the General Secretary, the commemorative report will
be entrusted to Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, archbishop of Vienna and
president
of the Episcopal Conference of Austria. There will then be communications from
five prelates representing all continents (Cardinal Gerald Vincent Nichols,
archbishop of Westminster and president of the Episcopal Conference of England
and Wales, for Europe; Archbishop Francisco Chimoio of Maputo, for Africa;
Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, archbishop of Santiago del Chile and
president
of the Episcopal Conference of Chile, for the Americas; His Beatitude Raphael I
Louis Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, and Head of the Synod of the
Chaldean Church, for Asia; and Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, bishop of
Tonga
and president of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific, for Oceania). Lastly,
the Holy Father will give the concluding address.
 On Sunday 18 October at 10:30 am in the Vatican Basilica, there will be a Mass
for the canonisation of, among others, the Blessed spouses Louis Martin and
Marie-Azelie Guérin, parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
 In the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the People of God are invited to
accompany with prayer the work of the Synod, invoking the protection of the
Salus Populi Romani and the Blessed Martin couple, whose relics are exhibited
there. Every day the Holy Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. and Mass will be
celebrated at 6. In the first week we will pray for children, in the second for
parents, and for grandparents in the third.
 Near the Synod Hall there will be, as usual, a chapel for prayer for the
participants in the Synod, where the relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus,
her parents and the Beltrame Quattrocchi spouses will be displayed".

___________________________________________________________

 Statement by the Director of the Holy See Press Office
 Vatican City, 2 October 2015 (VIS) - The director of the Holy See Press
Office,
Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., today issued the following statement regarding the
Pope's meeting with Kim Davis, an American public official who spent five days
in prison for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
 "The brief meeting between Mrs. Kim Davis and Pope Francis at the Apostolic
Nunciature in Washington, D.C. has continued to provoke comments and
discussion.
In order to contribute to an objective understanding of what transpired I am
able to clarify the following points:
 Pope Francis met with several dozen persons who had been invited by the
nunciature to greet him as he prepared to leave Washington D.C. for New York
City. Such brief greetings occur on all papal visits and are due to the Pope's
characteristic kindness and availability. The only real audience granted by the
Pope at the nunciature was with one of his former students and his family.
 "The Pope did not enter into the details of the situation of Mrs. Davis and
his
meeting with her should not be considered a form of support of her position in
all of its particular and complex aspects".

___________________________________________________________

 Cardinals to take possession of their titular churches
 Vatican City, 2 October 2015 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of
the Supreme Pontiff today announced that on Sunday 11 October the following
cardinals will take possession of their titular churches.
 At 11 a.m., Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij, archbishop of
Bangkok, Thailand, will take possession of the title of Santa Maria Addolorata
(Viale della Venezia Giulia, 134).
 At 11.15 a.m. Cardinal Alberto Suarez Inda, archbishop of Morelia, Mexico,
will
take possession of the title of San Policarpo (Piazza Aruleno Celio Sabino,
50).
 At 11.30 a.m., Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, S.D.B., archbishop of Yangon,
Myanmar, will take possession of the title of Sant'Ireneo a Centocelle (Via dei
Castani, 291).
 At 12.00 p.m., Cardinal Ricardo Blazquez Perez, archbishop of Valladolid,
Spain, will take possession of the title of Santa Maria in Vallicella (Via del
Governo Vecchio, 134).

___________________________________________________________

 Audiences
 Vatican City, 2 October 2015 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
 - Alexandros Couyou, ambassador of Greece, presenting his credential letters;
 - Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith;
 - Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation
of Peoples;
 - Archbishop Thomas E. Gullickson, apostolic nuncio in Switzerland and in
Liechtenstein;
 - the 200 participants in the meeting organised to commemorate the 150th
anniversary of the Servant of God, Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val.

___________________________________________________________

 Other Pontifical Acts
 Vatican City, 2 October 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed Fr. Jan
Dubina, Slovakia, as papal master of ceremonies.

___________________________________________________________

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Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting
the source:  V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.
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