The daunting experience of being a Synod Father

Last month Bishop David McGough attended his first Synod of Bishops in Rome. Here he describes what it was like to share in the top-level discussions
0n Sunday October 5 some 250 bishops assembled at the tomb of St Paul in Rome for the solemn inauguration of the 12th Synod of Bishops. Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool and I attended on behalf of the bishops of England and Wales. It was appropriate that a Synod centred on "The Word of God in the life and Mission of the Church" should begin its work in prayer with the successor of Peter at the tomb of St Paul. Some three weeks later, the synod would be concluded with a similar celebration at the tomb of St Peter. It would be the work of the synod to continue the proclamation of the Good News begun by these great apostles.
A synod is daunting for a newcomer such asmyself. The first 1.0 days were taken up with fiveminute statements from bishops representing dioceses throughout the world. Each reflected the manner in which the Word of God is received and forms congregations throughout the world.
At this stage of the synodal process a varied picture began to emerge. western Europe, north America and Australia expressed shared concerns regarding the impact of secularisation on our openness to the Word of God. We can no longer presume that our affluent societies share a common cultural inheritance in the Bible. Engagement with the Word of God begins with the fundamental proclamation of the Easter Faith: that Christ, who has died and risen, is the source of life. It is at this level that the Gospel will both encourage and challenge an affluent society. It is for every generation to proclaim the Word of God in such a manner that it becomes a life-changing force in the lives of those who receive it, It was interesting that we were discussing such matters at the height of a global financial crisis. The Holy Father, in a passing remark, contrasted the empty promises of material prosperity with the enduring presence of God's Word.
Many bishops gave moving testimony to the Word of God in their communities. Repeatedly we heard from bishops of the former eastern bloc. At times when the celebration of the Eucharist was virtually impossible in such countries communities were held together and sustained through their devotion to the Word of God in the Scriptures. Throughout the world the Church continues to suffer persecution, persecutions in which the Word of God has been revealed as a sustaining and enduring presence.
The same pattern was clearly evident throughout the countries of Latin America and China. The lack of ordained priests means that many congregations must be held together for many months without the celebration of the Eucharist. Suitably trained catechists assemble the congregation for Celebrations of the Word, services in which the Sunday Readings are first proclaimed and then shared in prayer.
Such countries do, of course, face many difficulties. The most obvious are access to the Word of God in the Scriptures. The Bible is yet to be translated into many of the African languages. Widespread poverty and illiteracy mean that many can neither purchase nor read a Bible. It was frequently suggested at the synod that the resources of richer churches might assist in this vital work of translation and provision of a Bible for every home. Such work should proceed in cooperation with the Bible societies throughout the world It is impossible to summarise discussions that took place over ' three weeks.
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The overwhelming impression was that the work began some 43 years ago at the Second Vatican Council has come of age. There, the promulgation of the constitution Del Verbum affirmed the Word of God as God's continuing and effective presence in the world.
The place of the Scriptures in the life of the Church and celebration of the sacraments was renewed. The discussions at the synod bore abundant witness to the fruitfulness of that Word in the life of the Church.
Above all the Synod Fathers were conscious that we are, first and foremost, hearers of God's Word. We receive that Word not as individuals, but as a people called together in the name of Christ. We understand and proclaim that Word, ' not of ourselves, but through the Holy Spirit entrusted to the Church.
The Synod was anxious to appreciate and encourage the biblical apostolate throughout the World. Our understanding of the Scriptures must continue to have a solid basis in welltried historical-critical methods. It is through such methodologies that the truths of the scriptures are rooted in history. It is just as important that biblical passages are not to he understood in isolation, but against the whole canon of the scriptures and their fulfilment in Christ.
We further understand and interpret the scriptures through the continuing tradition of the Church, especially in the witness of patristic commentaries.
The work of the Synod was concluded in a series of propositions communicated to the Holy Father. The primary emphasis of these proposals was pastoral. The Church rejoices in the evident progress of the biblical apostolate since the Second Vatican Council. The Word of God is now firmly embedded within the devotional life of the Church. The celebration of the Eucharist is the privileged situation in which we are challenged and sustained by that Word.
Now that the work of the Synod is concluded we await the Apostolic Exhortation of the Holy Father, a document that will present the work of the synod to the world.
The Rt Rev David McGaugh is an Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham