The Pope fixes Date for the Bishops' Synod

AUTUMN `COUNCIL'
BY A ROME CORRESPONDENT
THE POPE announced during the Christmas period that the new international Synod of Bishops will hold its first meeting in Rome from September 29 to October 24 next year. He also announced the formation of a "Council of Laymen" which will serve to promote the lay apostolate.
The synod, said the Pope, would increase apostolic knowledge and efficiency in the Church and "strengthen the ties of charity and collaboration of the world episcopate with this Holy See of Peter".
The synod, which was announced at the Vatican Council last September, was described later by the Pope as an organisation consisting largely of representatives elected by national episcopal conferences and Papal appointees.
Addressing the College of Cardinals at a Christmas audience. the Pope declared that the synod would coincide with the 1.900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Peter and that a special series of events would be announced later.
JUSTICE, HUNGER AND PEACE
The Council of Laymen is one of two new important organisations announced for the Church by the Pope. It will collect information on lay problems and try to coordinate the work of the lay apostolate on an international level. The third world congress of the apostolate of laymen will be held in Rome from October I I to 17 next year.
The other organisation, the "Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace", will study problems of social justice, the developing countries, world hunger and peace. This commission was an "expression of the Church's interest in these serious problems."
Among other developments announced by the Pope were: CURIAL REFORM: A special commission has drafted several decrees which will be published shortly.
CANON LAW: A commission is at work under Cardinal Ciriaci on revisions.
THE BIBLE: Work on the new version of St. Jerome's Vulgate is proceeding under Cardinal Bea. "The Latin liturgy will thus have its agreed text which is academically up to date and which yet is faithful to tradition, to scriptural interpretation and to Christian language. It will also serve as a reference point for
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versions in other languages."