Bishop's Letters | The Synod of the Americas

Intervention at The Synod of the Americas

Information
For Immediate Release
From: Rev. Mr. William Kokesch Director, Communications Service O.P.I. 752
Date: November 24, 1997

SYNOD FOR AMERICA
Ecumenism:
A Canadian Perspective

Vatican City (CCCB) -

Bishop Anthony F. Tonnos of Hamilton, in an intervention at the Synod of Bishops' Special Assembly for America, said the Canadian experience of ecumenism has been a positive one, marked by openness, cooperation and honesty.

Describing the call to seek unity "as an imperative for all Christians," he outlined for the Synod delegates three related elements for promoting ecumenism: spiritual means, practical cooperation and theological dialogue.

Bishop Tonnos, who is also president of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, was intervening at the Synod on Nos. 42-44 of the Instrumentum Laboris dealing with ecumenism and the Catholic Church in the religious context of the American continent.

As illustrations of the spiritual means, he explained how Christians in Canada participate in various forms of shared prayer, for example, during Lent, civic occasions and in times of tragedy. He also touched on bible studies, ecumenical prayer groups and clergy retreats that enrich the spiritual life of participants and promote Christian unity.

In terms of practical cooperation, Bishop Tonnos outlined examples of collaboration in dealing with poverty, human rights, life issues, aboriginal rights, corporate responsibility and refugees.

Bishop Tonnos also indicated there was ongoing theological dialogue by means of formal and informal ecumenical discussions in small faith groups, as well as through the Canadian Council of Churches which provides opportunities for inter-Christian and interfaith discussions.

For more information, please contact: Rev. Mr. William Kokesch Director, Communications Service Tel: Rome 682-85182 E-mail: kokesch@cccb.ca

Summary of intervention
by Most Reverend Anthony F. Tonnos
Bishop of Hamilton

ECUMENISM: A CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE

The call to seek unity is an imperative for all Christians.

Its promotion has three related elements:
spiritual means, practical cooperation and theological dialogue.

Spiritual Means:
In the Canadian context, Christians participate in various forms of shared prayer, for example, during Lent, at civic occasions, and in times of tragedy. Bible studies, ecumenical prayer groups and clergy retreat days also enrich the spiritual life of participants and promote Christian unity.

Practical Cooperation:
In Canada, areas of practical collaboration among Christians include a wide range of concerns, for example, poverty, human rights, life issues, aboriginal rights, corporate responsibility, and refugees. Joint action and the promotion of unity are accomplished through both coalitions and permanent structures, such as the Canadian Council of Churches to which the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops belongs.

Theological Dialogue:
Ecumenical dialogue, both formal and informal, takes place with individual faith groups, as well as through the Canadian Council of Churches, which provides opportunities for inter-Christian and interfaith discussions.

Overall, the Canadian experience of ecumenism has been a positive one, marked by openness, cooperation and honesty. We rejoice in what has been accomplished and look to the future with hope.

Having recently returned to the diocese from the Synod for America in Rome I wanted to give you a few of my impressions regarding the Synod.

As you know the Synod was called by the Holy Father who is the President of the Synod. Its purpose was to prepare propositions to the Holy Father which he could consider in presenting a statement coming from the Synod when it had concluded.

The first two weeks were spent in hearing presentations by each of the bishops who was present at the Synod. Eight minutes was allowed for each presentation; warnings were given electronically a, three, two and one minute before ending. When eight minutes were complete the word 'STOP' flashed on the screen and the sound was cut.

Each day we attended sessions from 9:00 until 12:30 in the morning and again in the afternoon from 5:00 until 7:30 p.m. For the first two weeks this was spent entirely in listening to speeches which could be given in any of the five official languages of the Synod, Spanish, Portuguese, French, English or Italian. Simultaneous translation was provided.

In a way it was like being back in school. Each bishop was assigned a seat and you sat in that seat for each session. Moreover at each session, morning and afternoon, an attendance card was distributed which each had to sign. At first this seemed a little strange to me but as the days of the first two weeks wore by it was easy to understand how even bishops might be tempted to play hooky.

The next two weeks were spent in a combination of small group sessions according to language and back to the general sessions to report on discussions and findings in the small groups.

Toward the end of the Synod, seventy-six proposals were drawn up in Latin to be presented to the Holy Father. This required a great deal of debate and maneuvering to arrive at this point. Even then we were told that this is the largest number of proposals that have been made by any Synod held so far.

The speeches which were made had two principal focuses, one being spiritual and the spiritual welfare of Catholics; the other being temporal welfare.

In the first area there was a frequent call for a new evangelisation - a re-evangelization of America. Topics of interest were parishes, preaching catechetics and evangelization in general.

In the area of temporal welfare there was huge interest especially on the part of the South American countries and also Central American countries on the international debt and on the plight of the very poor in their countries. Bishops from North America also share this concern but do not experience the breadth nor depth of poverty which exists in the south.

My own paper was presented on Ecumenism and was fairly well received. Three other papers on the same topic were also presented.

While I do not expect drastic results from this Synod, it was certainly a wonderful learning experience for the bishops who were present and I am sure will result in a call for a renewed emphasis on Evangelization and Christian outreach.

The Holy Father reminded us often that each of the Synods which he is calling is a preparation for the great Jubilee of our Lord's birth. Here in Hamilton Diocese we are well advanced in our preparations tor this great feast in the year 2001 and I encourage each of you to continue your interest and participation at the parish level.

The Holy Father attended each of our general sessions. He dues walk with a little stoop and a little more slowly than previously. Moreover his left hand shakes almost continuously. However he continues to give evidence of great strength and determination. The opening Mass for the Synod which we had the privilege to concelebrate, was two hours long. The Holy Father preached for twenty-six minutes in five languages. He attended each of the general sessions.

The respect and love which the bishops have for the Pope was evident when he was applauded at each of his entries to the sessions both morning and afternoon. The bishops rose in a standing ovation each time the Holy Father entered the room. It was very touching and very edifying.

At the closing Mass of the Synod on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, the Holy Father again was principal celebrant and homilist.

He then invited us to a dinner at 1:15 in the afternoon and remained until 3:00 o'clock. At 3:00 o'clock he rose to leave. We thought he would now get some rest, but instead the secretary of the Synod, Cardinal Schotte announced that the Holy Father would stand at the door of the dining room and greet each as we left. Between Bishops, observers and theological experts, this amounted to nearly three hundred people whom the Holy Father greeted individually and spoke to each as they were departing.

This gives you an indication of the great strength and determination which Pope John Paul II possesses even though perhaps the body is a little weaker with age.

I had never been away from the Diocese for so long and was anxious to return. To be frank I missed you here at home. However we were very blessed with sunny days for at least half the time we were there which is quite unusual in what is normally a rainy season in Rome.

I am happy to be home, but was getting accustomed to being saluted by the Swiss guards every time I passed!

I take this opportunity to wish each of you the blessings and joy of this Holy Christmas Season.

Yours sincerely in Christ



BISHOP OF HAMILTON