VATICAN: Bishop Wainaina Shares his experience at the Synod of Bishops in Rome
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| Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina, Bishop of Muranga |
“The
perception of many about the Synod, and the prediction of its results should
not occupy our minds at this point. But what is most clear is that there is a
great need for prayer”, said Bishop James Wainiana on the fourth day of the
Synod of Bishops taking place in Rome, 4th – 25th
October, 2015.
perception of many about the Synod, and the prediction of its results should
not occupy our minds at this point. But what is most clear is that there is a
great need for prayer”, said Bishop James Wainiana on the fourth day of the
Synod of Bishops taking place in Rome, 4th – 25th
October, 2015.
Speaking
about opening Mass on Sunday 4th October, Bishop Wainiana of Muranga
Diocese, Kenya referred to the message of the Holy Father Pope Francis which
emphasized that the union between a man and woman is the foundation of God’s
plan for the family, and a solution to the many forms of loneliness in today’s
world.
about opening Mass on Sunday 4th October, Bishop Wainiana of Muranga
Diocese, Kenya referred to the message of the Holy Father Pope Francis which
emphasized that the union between a man and woman is the foundation of God’s
plan for the family, and a solution to the many forms of loneliness in today’s
world.
“This
is God’s dream for his beloved creation: to see it fulfilled in the loving
union between a man and a woman, rejoicing in their shared journey, fruitful in
their mutual gift of self,” the Pope said.
is God’s dream for his beloved creation: to see it fulfilled in the loving
union between a man and a woman, rejoicing in their shared journey, fruitful in
their mutual gift of self,” the Pope said.
On Monday 5th, the business of the
Synod began in earnest. The Holy Father gave a short welcoming Speech. In his message the Pope said, “[The] Synod is neither a convention, nor a
parlor, nor a parliament or senate, where people make deals and reach
compromises. The Synod is rather an ecclesial expression, i.e., the Church that
journeys together to read reality with the eyes of faith and with the heart of
God; it is the Church that interrogates herself with regard to her fidelity to
the deposit of faith, which does not represent for the Church a museum to view,
nor even something merely to safeguard, but is a living source from which the
Church shall drink, to satisfy the thirst of, and illuminate, the deposit of
life.”
Synod began in earnest. The Holy Father gave a short welcoming Speech. In his message the Pope said, “[The] Synod is neither a convention, nor a
parlor, nor a parliament or senate, where people make deals and reach
compromises. The Synod is rather an ecclesial expression, i.e., the Church that
journeys together to read reality with the eyes of faith and with the heart of
God; it is the Church that interrogates herself with regard to her fidelity to
the deposit of faith, which does not represent for the Church a museum to view,
nor even something merely to safeguard, but is a living source from which the
Church shall drink, to satisfy the thirst of, and illuminate, the deposit of
life.”
Bishop Wainaina further shared that after the
message from the Pope Francis, the Secretary General of the Synod, Lorenzo
Cardinal Baldisseri, explained to the assembly the methodology that will allow
Bishops to make interventions concerning particular themes of the Working
Document, Instrumentum Laboris.
message from the Pope Francis, the Secretary General of the Synod, Lorenzo
Cardinal Baldisseri, explained to the assembly the methodology that will allow
Bishops to make interventions concerning particular themes of the Working
Document, Instrumentum Laboris.
In this regard Bishop said, “I chose my
favorite, the Upbringing of Children as a key responsibility of the Parents
and a way to determine or influence the type of society and Catholic Church of
tomorrow. These presentations,” he Said, “are the most important part of the
Synod. But they will also be supplemented by discussions in Small Groups, made
out according to languages spoken.” At the end, all materials will be gathered
and given to a committee specially chosen by the Holy Father to collate and
edit it for his further action.
favorite, the Upbringing of Children as a key responsibility of the Parents
and a way to determine or influence the type of society and Catholic Church of
tomorrow. These presentations,” he Said, “are the most important part of the
Synod. But they will also be supplemented by discussions in Small Groups, made
out according to languages spoken.” At the end, all materials will be gathered
and given to a committee specially chosen by the Holy Father to collate and
edit it for his further action.
And sharing in a personal way about his
experience and personal contact with the Holy Father, Bishop Wainaina says,
experience and personal contact with the Holy Father, Bishop Wainaina says,
“Something to note to you my friends is that
the since we started, the Holy Father has not missed even one session. He has
attended all sessions in person, and He has been the one leading the prayers…
That I say is real commitment!!!
the since we started, the Holy Father has not missed even one session. He has
attended all sessions in person, and He has been the one leading the prayers…
That I say is real commitment!!!
This
morning I went to greet him. He had arrived before me though I was among the
very first ones to arrive. We chatted a bit. I told him my name, my diocese,
and that I come from Kenya. He was very happy and he reminded me that he is
coming to Kenya. I told him we are waiting for him. He said that he likes
our liturgical dances and beautiful things in our celebrations. The
conversation was full of joy. I was happy to note that he is recalling the
visit to Kenya.
morning I went to greet him. He had arrived before me though I was among the
very first ones to arrive. We chatted a bit. I told him my name, my diocese,
and that I come from Kenya. He was very happy and he reminded me that he is
coming to Kenya. I told him we are waiting for him. He said that he likes
our liturgical dances and beautiful things in our celebrations. The
conversation was full of joy. I was happy to note that he is recalling the
visit to Kenya.
My friends
please pray for this Synod. It is very important for each one of us.”
please pray for this Synod. It is very important for each one of us.”
Bp.
James M.
James M.
Edited
by Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News Reporter
by Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News Reporter
