Cardinal John Dew has left New Zealand for Rome to take part in the “Synod on the Family” which will take place, 4 – 25 October.
Before leaving he asked Catholics to “remember all who will participate in the Synod especially our own participants from New Zealand and Oceania – Sharron Cole, Bishop Charles Drennan and John Kleinsman, as well as Cardinal Soane Paini Mafi (Tonga) and Archbishop Peter Loy Chong (Fiji), and Archbishop Mark Coleridge (Brisbane), Bishop Eugene Hurley (Darwin) and Dr Maria Harries from Australia.”
“It is a real privilege, and responsibility, that Mrs Sharron Cole and Dr John Kleinsman will be with Bishop Charles Drennan and me at this Synod of Bishops.” he said.
The working document for the synod was published in June and outlines the three main areas of reflection for the synod:
- Considering the challenges of the family, such as the socio- cultural contexts of families today, the special needs of the elderly, disabled, migrants, and the family as the place of first formation in affectivity, friendship and love.
- Discernment of the Family Vocation, examines family life as image of the Trinity, the bond between church and family, and also addresses the fear of marrying among many young people.
- The Mission of the Family today, celebrating “a symphony of differences”.
The next Synodal assembly is entrusted to the Holy Family of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who urge “us to rediscover the vocation and mission of the family” (Francis, General Audience, 17 December 2014).
The working document provides the following prayer:
Prayer to the Holy Family
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love,
to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again
experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.
Amen.
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News category: New Zealand, News Shorts.
