Articles
Goodbye to Rome
We leave Rome in a couple of hours. The Synod concluded on Sunday morning with a Mass in St. Peter's with the Pope presiding. Pope Benedict spoke from the gospel reading about the healing of Bartimaeus. According to Augustine, the fact…
The Propositions from the Synod of Bishops
So when all was said and done, what was the outcome of the Synod of Bishops? After agreeing the Message from the Synod (the Nuntius - see yesterday's post), the Synod turned its attention on Friday evening and Saturday morning to agreeing…
The Message from the Synod of Bishops
I returned to Rome on Friday morning (this time with Ann) for the final part of the Synod of Bishops here. It's been good to step back in to the conclusion of the process which began three weeks ago. While I have been away the Synod has…
Living the mixed economy: from Sheffield to the Synod
I came back to Sheffield for nine days on Wednesday of last week to fulfil a series of essential engagements in the Diocese here. One part of my attention and prayer has been on what is happening in Rome and I've continued to keep up to date…
Ecumenism, enculturation and the silence of the West
Today is my last full day in Rome. I leave first thing in the morning to return to the other beautiful city built on seven hills (Sheffield). Today is also the last full day of the five minute interventions. We've heard around 160 so far. There…
Of small communities and modern martyrs
The Synod resumed this morning with a series of very fine presentations from many different parts of the world. Two themes came across very strongly to me today. The first was the theme of small ecclesial communities or base ecclesial communities.…
An Anglican pilgrim in Rome
There were no Synod meetings today (as the programme says, Vacat Congregatio). We had a pretty solid day yesterday of five minute speeches all the morning and afternoon sessions. My cup was full, you might say. However that does leave…
Eat, pray, listen
The core of the Synod of Bishops is summed up in these three words. Eat
It's not, of course, about the food but about sharing meals together and the conversation and growing connection and friendship. I've been privileged over the last…
Remembering Vatican II and moving forward
Fifty years ago on this day in 1962, Pope John XXIII inaugurated the Second Vatican Council - a great assembly of the Roman Catholic Church from all across the world to attempt a great work of re-sourcing Christian theology and identity in the…