«We are in harmony with the Consulta». Monsignor Erio Castellucci, vice-president of the CEI and president of the National Committee of the Synodal Path, comments on the partial rejection by the Constitutional Court of seven points of the reform on differentiated autonomy, saying that «we were not surprised. It is no coincidence that some of the objections of the Council cross paths with the concerns expressed last May by the bishops”, because, due to the CEI note which expressed strong doubts about the measure, “we had relied on authoritative opinions and on some bishop who had his hands in the pie”. The Note, he added «was not a response to the contingency. but it recalled a general framework, referring to the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity”. The Church, which has begun its first Synodal Assembly (the second will be held between March and April) wants to walk together and hopes that the entire country can do so. But first, said both Monsignor Castellucci and Don Valentino Bulgarelli, under-secretary of the CEI, “we need to unblock some issues that weigh us down”. This is the case, for example, of the “overabundance of structures that respond to a Christianity that no longer exists”. Not only material structures, but bureaucratic ones, of “mental settings also due to forms of traditionalism that no longer come from a certain soul of faith but from the need for a certain identity”. Furthermore, «we need greater openness to the leadership of the communities on the part of lay men and women. And there is also “a women’s issue that needs to be resolved”. Don Bulgarelli recalled that around a thousand delegates participate in the assembly: 4 cardinals, 170 bishops out of 226 dioceses, 28 nuns, 210 lay men and 274 lay women”.
The works, which will also address the topic of abuse and which will see a significant prayer vigil to ask for forgiveness, will come into full swing on Saturday 16th and conclude on Sunday 17th. The theater of discussion will be the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, «so closely linked to the Vatican Council II. The ideal setting to listen to us”, underlined Don Bulgarelli. And even Pope Francis, in the message sent at the opening of the proceedings, recalled the Council: «Let us not forget that in the very Basilica where you are, on 25 January 1959 Saint John XXIII made the announcement of the Second Vatican Council. And he later explained: “This is now required of the Church: to inject the perennial, life-giving, divine energy of the Gospel into the veins of what is the human community today.” Even today, as then, we are sent to bring the good news with joy!”. The Pontiff urged pastors «to guide communities on the path of communion, participation and mission. The Synodal Path also develops the energy so that the Church can best carry out its commitment for the country. Jesus contemplated the crowds and was able to understand their suffering and expectations, the need for bread for the body and for the soul. Thus we are called to look at the society in which we live with a gaze of compassion to prepare for the future, overcoming non-evangelical attitudes, such as lack of hope, victimhood, fear, closures. The horizon opens before you: continue to sow the seed of the Word into the earth so that it bears fruit.”
