Bishops as servants
The agenda of the Synod of Bishops taking place in the Vatican is substantial enough to keep its participants busy for a month.
The representatives of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference—Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, Archbishop Buti Thlagale of Bloemfontein and Bishop Frank Nabuasah of Francistown—have joined more than 200 of their multi-national confrères in the work of shaping the Church’s strategy towards a rapidly changing world order.
At present international attention is on the threat of global terrorism. The world is looking towards politicians and bankers in the hope that they will succeed in turning aside the frightening threat of a massive catastrophe.
Despite the instability of the world order as the bishops attempt to discuss it, their voices are no less important than those of secular leaders. The moral guidance of the Church may not be ignored.
However, the Church has its own problems. There is the issue of whether the pope and the curia over-govern the universal Church, to the detriment of the authority of local bishops. There is also the question of credibility in a highly secularised age in which the wealthy seem to be turning their backs on the poor.
The synod’s theme is “The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World.” Emphasis is placed on the serving role of the bishop in his community.
In this respect, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk of Prague told the synod that one of the most important aspects of a bishop’s service today was to give hope to the people. At a time when a sense of hopelessness is creeping into people’s minds, the cardinal’s advice is sound.
The burden of the episcopal office is in the limelight and it is clear that it is one of huge responsibility. For this reason alone, we must hope and pray that the bishops in Rome will seize the moment and give hope not only to the global Church but also to the global society.
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