Cardinal Grech, secretary-general of the Conference of Bishops of the World, accepted an interview with this news network: “The spirit of the consensus is a form of realizing the participation of all the people of God.”
(Vatican News Network)Even during the summer vacation, the Vatican ministries continue to promote their services. In the past few weeks, a working group has been at the heart of the storm: it is the General Secretariat of the World Bishops Conference. The agency was called to compile preliminary documents and assist the local church in the new journey. Pope Francis sincerely hopes that the grassroots can participate in the journey of the Conference of Bishops. On this point, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Conference of Bishops of the World, accepted an interview with this news network.
Cardinal Grech first pointed out, “In order to convene the Conference of Bishops, we must work together! Before publishing the relevant documents on the process of the Conference of Bishops, we listened to all the chairpersons of the conferences of bishops from all continents, the chairpersons of the American Bishops’ Conference, and the chairpersons of the Canadian Bishops’ Conference . Then, after publishing the document, we immediately invited the chairmen of the bishops’ conferences around the world, their standing committees and the secretary-general to have a brotherly conversation, so as to have the opportunity to provide comments, suggestions and questions. In general, we follow Eight meetings were held in different languages. As for the other two consultation moments, one was with the patriarchs of the East, and the other was with the archbishops. Furthermore, we also accepted Brazil and Burundi. And the request for a meeting made by the Bishops’ Conference of the Antilles.”
The secretary-general said that these initial meetings are equivalent to “the bishops have shown the spirit of collective leadership, and are widely appreciated and fruitful.” “Through this method, we are eager to send a message, that is, the important thing is that in this stage of promoting the plan, everyone can also participate in the spirit of consensus. We have also adopted a similar method in the Holy See, Talk to various ministries. We have established four committees to support the preparations of the World Bishops Conference: the first committee discusses theological issues in depth; the second helps us grow and thrive as a church within the spirituality of communion; The third committee is responsible for methodology; the fourth committee deals with communication issues.”
Regarding the theme of the next meeting, Cardinal Grech stated, “The Holy Father has designated the theme of the 16th regular meeting as the spirit of the congregation. This theme is of course quite complicated because it talks about communion, participation and mission. However, these are the various aspects of the church’s colleagues.” “We must move towards a church that walks together, and better to say, the Holy Spirit requires us to move in this direction.”
Regarding the meaning of working together, Cardinal Grech stated, “I hope to eliminate related misunderstandings. It was clearly pointed out in the preparatory meeting that the spirit of the congregation was once the form and style of the early church: the preparatory document clearly highlights this, and it is like the Vatican. The Second Ecumenical Council emphasized that through the movement to return to the roots, I hope to restore the church’s model without giving up on the great achievements the church has achieved in the second millennium. If we want to be faithful to the tradition, then The Second Vatican Council is again regarded as the most recent stage of the holy tradition, and we must muster up the courage to embark on the same path as the church.”
“The spirit of the congregation beautifully covers all the themes of the Ecumenical Council. In fact, in the period after the Ecumenical Council, many themes are often opposed to each other.” Card Grech specifically pointed out the aspect of “Ecclesiology of the People of God”. He said: “Unfortunately, the ecclesiology of the people of God is in opposition to the sacred rule. The former insists on a democratic church that “rises from the grassroots” and uses the issue of participation to claim rights. It’s almost like a union.”
The secretary-general said, “This kind of interpretation worries many people. But we should not focus on interpretation, especially those that are intended to divide people. We must focus on the Ecumenical Council and the fruits it brings, and take those Just talk about the law, the holy rule, and the church system, and reintegrate them with those that focus on spirituality, theology, and the history of salvation. The people of God in the Second Vatican Council are the people on the journey to heaven. That level can restore the integrity of the baptized person and make him a living and active master in the life of the church! Doing so does not deny the responsibility of the pastor or the pope, but regards them as the principle of the unity of the baptized: His local church, as well as the Pope to the universal church. The church is in communion. The World Bishops Conference in 1985 reiterated this point and initiated the well-known communion ecclesiology. The church is essentially consensual. We are often called “we”. The two are not opposed to each other, but they complement each other. This is because the spirit of congregation is a form of realizing the participation of all the people of God, and everyone among the people All participate in it according to their own status and position, and participate in the life and mission of the church.”
Link URL: www.vaticannews.cn