Pope Addresses Synod Unexpectedly

Zenit News Agency ^ | October 7, 2005

[NYer]

Will Lead Oct. 17 Eucharistic Hour

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI spoke unexpectedly during the Synod of Bishops, offering a reflection on the sacrificial dimension of the Eucharist.

"The Holy Father wished to contribute to the fraternal spirit" at the end of the session of free interventions on Thursday, according to a news bulletin issued by the synod's General Secretariat.

A synod spokesman, Isidro Catelli, said today that the full contents of the Holy Father's 10-minute, spontaneous intervention would not be published immediately.

Catelli did say that the Pope spoke about the theology of the Eucharist with the knowledge he has as a former university professor.

ZENIT learned that the Pope's talk might be published once the transcription is revised by the Pontiff himself.

Father Giorgio Constantine, spokesman of the synod to Italian-speaking journalists, said in a briefing that "it was a wonderful intervention, of a great theologian, perhaps the first papal intervention in a synod's free discussion."

Adoration

Father Constantine also disclosed that Benedict XVI has decided to propose an hour of Eucharistic adoration in St. Peter's Basilica. The adoration will be led by the Holy Father himself on Monday, Oct. 17, from 5-6 p.m.

Legionary of Christ Father John Bartunek, spokesman for English-speaking journalists, said Thursday the Pope is participating with much attention in the synod's works.

On Thursday he arrived equipped with the working papers in a black briefcase, equal to the one given to all the synod participants.

Benedict XVI sits in the central chair of the synod's new hall, and at times greets the synodal fathers, or thanks them at the beginning and end of each session.

During coffee breaks, the Pope meets with the synod's working groups, which are divided by languages. In past days he spoke with members of the French-speaking groups, and today he spoke with the Spanish-speaking groups.

[NYer]

AP - Thu Oct 6, 6:22 AM ET

Pope Benedict XVI looks on as he attends a three-week meeting of the world's bishops at the Vatican Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005. More than 250 bishops, cardinals, heads of religious orders and others from about 118 countries will take part in the Synod of Bishops. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)

[murphE]

I hope his address was to smack down the homosexual priest supporters.

[Pyro7480]

He doesn't look pleased, by that face.

[Petrosius]

This is great news. It means that the Holy Father is not going to let the synod get out of control as John XXIII and Paul VI did at Vatican II. He intends to preside in substance as well as in form. He is a shepherd that knows where he wants to lead the flock.

[samiam1972]

That is a very..um...thoughtful face he is making! I love this Pope! Hope to hear/read what he said some day.

[murphE]

I pray that you are right.

[Petrosius]

I love that little icon. Where did you get it?

[onyx]

You're right.

[Carolina]

I hope his address was to smack down the homosexual priest supporters.

According to Amy Welborn:

One synod participant told NCR that he suspects the pope intervened because the difference between the sacrificial and communal dimensions of the Eucharist was shaping up as a potential point of debate, and the pope wanted to steer the conversation away from what he sees as a false opposition.

But Amy was quoting John Allen quoting an unnamed synod participant...so who knows?

[ConorMacNessa]

His thoughts on Eucharistic Adoration, formerly Benediction, should be of great interest. We have Eucharistic Adoration at my parish every week. When I came to this parish it was the first time I had a Benediction since grade school.

[Maeve]

I hope it means in part he is ready to clear the decks of the Barque of Peter.

[murphE]

Did you see this yet?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1498750/posts

[Petrosius]

Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, although connected, are two different things. In my church we have Perpetual Adoration set up in a separate chapel. Here parishioners come 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to pray before the our Eucharistic Lord exposed in a monstrance upon an altar. Being Perpetual Adoration there is never Benediction, i.e. a blessing with the Host. Once a week in the main church there is Rosary and Benediction at which the Benediction, or blessing, is given after an half-hour of adoration.

[Carolina]

Thanks for some sanity. The MSM was hyperventilating over the report today. It just didn't make sense to me.

[Coleus]

surprise

[murphE]

Well it's hard to know what is rumor and what is fact. I hope that Father Alphonse de Valk, from that article, is right.

[ConorMacNessa]

We have Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday starting after morning masses until concluded with a Benediction at 6:45 p.m. and a perpetual novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal thereafter.

[dsc]

"During coffee breaks, the Pope meets with the synod's working groups, which are divided by languages. In past days he spoke with members of the French-speaking groups, and today he spoke with the Spanish-speaking groups."

If they all spoke Latin, there wouldn't be any need to split up like that.

[Petrosius]

Again, this shows that the Holy Father is taking an active hand in the direction of the synod. Good news!

As for Latin, a common language would be good to bring all the bishops of the world together. More important still, we need to bring back the common theology that was taught when Latin reigned in the seminaries and universities.