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“This Extraordinary Synod is linked to the ordinary Synod that will happen next year, so this is quite unique in the history of the Synod of Bishops – two consecutive assemblies that are linked in process and in theme – the family”, says Cardinal Luis Antonio G. TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila and one of the three delegate presidents of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (5-19 October).
The theme of the two week assembly will gather 253 men and women representing the Universal Church to discuss and reflect on the theme: “Pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization”.
“This first gathering, according to the Holy Father will set the status quaestionis. With the help of experts and observers we want to see the situation of the family in different parts of the world. Attending the preparatory meetings one thing I realized is the diversity of the situations and pastoral challenges and it’s exciting to see how the one Gospel the one Truth that we hold on to can be expressed pastorally in diverse ways”.
Presenting the list of participants to press at the Vatican Tuesday Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, said the Extraordinary General Assembly of 2014 and the Ordinary General Assembly of 2015 represent “a new working methodology” for the Synod of bishops “rendering the process more dynamic and participatory, with speeches and testimonials, always with a view to continuity towards the second stage, after which the Synod document will be published”.
Participants from all 5 continents include: 114 presidents of Episcopal Conferences, 13 heads of the ‘sui iuris’ Eastern Catholic Churches, 25 heads of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, 9 members of the Ordinary Council of the Secretariat, the secretary general, the under-secretary, 3 nominees from the Union of Superior Generals, and 26 pontifical nominees. Other participants include 8 fraternal delegates, 38 auditors, including 13 married couples, and 16 experts.
Source: News.va
