A special time for searching one's soul “in truth and sincerity”. In an interview with SIR (online at www.agensir.it), Antonios Naguib, patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts (Egypt), said that about the next Synod of the bishops for the Middle East, taking place at the Vatican (10-24 October) about “The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness”. The patriarch will be the general speaker of the Synod. He spoke also about the challenges to be faced by the Church in the Middle East, which are connected to the ecclesial communion and witness, by means of catechesis and liturgy. The latest have to be renewed, nevertheless remaining faithful to tradition, ecumenism and dialogue with Judaism and Islam. However, the Synod is also a great opportunity to focus the attention of the public opinion on the real situation of Middle East Churches, thanks to media. “It is not a matter of charging anyone - he stated - but of illustrating the realities in which we live more accurately”.

According to Patriarch Naguib, the Synod will allow Oriental Churches “to look at Christ and the Church of the Apostles and our Fathers in faith, to realise to what extent we have been able to take their message to the current generation, either Christian or not. Therefore, first of all, it is a search for one's soul, in truth and sincerity. Secondly, it is a significant invitation to live the communion within every Church independently, within our Churches which have so many things in common, with the universal Catholic Church, with the other Churches, and with our brothers and sisters who are not Christian”. “It will be a ‘special’ assembly, because we are aware that our region in the Middle East has special aspects and common problems. We do not feel fully at home both with Africa and Asia. I think that this choice will have its consequences on the Universal Church. Many people actually don't know or scarcely know Oriental Churches. The Synod – concluded the General Speaker - will draw attention to our Churches and to the evidence of faith, often heroic faith, they silently give”.

© SIR - 17 may 2010