Pope Francis on October 27, 2018, called for the faithful to continue their prayers for the Church during the challenging times created by the current abuse crisis.
His remarks came during the closing ceremony for Synod2018: “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment». He reminded the synod participants that individuals may have failings, but not their mother, the Church. And as he has warned on several occasions in recent weeks, he said the Church must beware of the «Great Accuser».
Closing comments from other key participants in the synod:
Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri:
In this Synod, the whole People of God supported us with prayer and accompanied the pastors reunited with you, Holy Father, with gestures of solidarity and sympathy. Since the first announcement of the Synod, young people from all over the world started moving to feel close to the Pastors, asking for be heard. In this great preparation, we have experienced high moments, as in the Pre-Synod; as the exchange and reciprocity occurred with the many contacts via the Web, which were extended to the days of celebration of the assembly. Holy Father, allow me to address myself first of all to them, who are here, to the young: for thank them for their presence, their contributions, their enthusiasm, their interventions and theirs tips. They showed us the freshness of their youth, generosity, and imagination resourcefulness. I would like to be an interpreter of the Synod Fathers and of the other participants in thanking them.
Card. Louis Raphaël I SAKO:
The whole Catholic Church has been present in the Synod through its representatives, but in a manner particular in the presence of the Holy Father, successor of Peter, head, and father of the Church. Through the His presence almost daily, in His docile listening and paternal accompaniment and in His words his final document has been prophetic, which will certainly be a point of reference for a new one pastoral care in our different dioceses. So we return home with lots of ideas and plans for the future. The Synod was a gift for us and for the whole Church.
