“The Synod for Amazonia” is the title of a book published in Italian by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy and appointed by Pope Francis General Rapporteur of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Amazonia, which will take place from October 6-27, 2019.
The volume — published by Saint Paul’s“– offers a preview of the main topics that will be addressed during this Special Assembly,” points out “Vatican News.”
“This book was written for the diffusion of the Synod, of the theme, of the Synodal process, of all this listening, this vision . . . all this great process,” explains the Cardinal. He “wishes to present all this to the common people, under a simple, direct form without great complications, so that everyone can have an introduction to this Synod.”
The volume “was written before the start of the consultation. Therefore, there is nothing in the text concerning the results of this first phase,” he continues.
“This Synod is being held in the great context of the global crisis, of the climate crisis, of the ecological crisis which is very grave, we know, “ adds the Cardinal. This Synod was organized during Pope Francis’ pontificate, around the beautiful document Evangelii Gaudium, the joy of the Gospel. How can this Church, which the Pope proposes in Evangelii Gaudium, be really concretized in Amazonia and in all the particularities of Amazonia? It’s the aim of the book.”
Reflecting on the next stages of the Synod’s preparation, Cardinal Hummes notes that it’s necessary “to continue with the same Synodal spirit,” because there are at times difficult moments during the common journey.” “We must always return to this spirit,” he stresses, “we must walk together because it is a journey, a process that must be done together, with the People of God and with the Church, illuminating one another.”
According to the Cardinal, “this process is on the right way”. “I believe that we truly learn to be ‘Synodal,’ “ he stresses. “This calls for a true conversion and an openness to differences in order to receive the other and to be inclusive and not exclusive,” he concludes.
