«Drawing fruit from what emerged from the dialogue of this General Assembly, we decide to receive the summary document of the Synodal Path of the Churches that are in Italy “Yeast of peace and hope”, with its orientations and proposals, considering them in the light of the pastoral priorities that emerged in this Assembly starting from the Document itself. Aware of our responsibility as Pastors and participants in the life of our country, we, the Italian Bishops, assume the commitment, together with our Churches and collegially as the Italian Episcopal Conference, to continue to walk together seeking ways and times to give substance to the orientations and proposals that have emerged in recent years”.
It is the text approved after a motion voted during the work of theCEI General Assembly, which took place in Assisi from 17 to 20 November and was attended by ithe Apostolic Nuncio to Italy, Monsignor Petar Rajič, 206 members, 13 Emeritus Bishops, some representatives of priests, men and women religious, of secular institutes, of lay aggregations.
«We entrust the Permanent Council and the working group of Bishops, established by the Presidency on the mandate of the Permanent Council itself – we read – with the task of indicating study and in-depth paths for the discernment of the orientations and proposals of the Synthesis Document, in particular those aimed at the Italian Episcopal Conference. Also taking into account the Final Document of the XVI ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, mission”, we are committed to living the synodal spirit and style by promoting the necessary tools, also at a national level, to be “a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world”.
The text also recalls what is “predicted by the Regulations of the Synodal Path” which “comes to completion” with the consequent “dissolution of all the Synodal Bodies operational up to now. We thank”, say the bishops, “those who participated in the journey completedoffering time and energy in the Dioceses, in the Synodal Assemblies and in the Organizations that, at a national level, accompanied the Path. We believe that the summary document of the Synodal Path “Yeast of Peace and Hope”, approved by the third Synodal Assembly, not only represents a precious testimony of the style of sharing and discussion experienced in these four years, but also offers the discernment of Pastors and ecclesial communities guidelines and proposals to give concreteness to a missionary, forthcoming and synodal Church”.
The work of the assembly concluded with Thursday morning, Pope Leo XIV who before speaking to the Italian bishops stopped in prayer at the Porziuncola in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. In his speech, the Pontiff urged the bishops to “place Jesus Christ at the center” and to help people live a personal relationship with Him to discover the joy of the Gospel. “A synodal Church, which walks in the furrows of history facing the emerging challenges of evangelization, needs to constantly renew itself”, stated the Pontiff.
Leone then offered concrete indications for the path of the Italian Church: continue the mergers of the dioceses, respect the 75 year limit for the service of diocesan ordinary, encourage greater participation in the consultation for the appointment of new bishops. The final invitation was to “build open, hospitable and welcoming Christian communities”.
Synodality: not just a style, but a form of life
The four days of work in Assisi were led by the president of the CEI, the cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who recalled the importance of episcopal collegiality and synodality as “form, style, practice for a more effective mission in the world”. The bishops approved by a large majority a motion that outlines the steps following the third Synodal Assembly, welcoming the document “Yeast of Peace and Hope” and committing to continue the path undertaken in the years 2021-2025. The contemporary crisis, the prelates underlined, is not only the result of external indifference, but also of the risk of internal “insignificance”. Hence the need for a courageous and missionary Church, which enhances the protagonism of the laity and focuses on the community as a response to widespread loneliness.
Educating for peace in a conflictual world
In the place that Pope Leo
A text divided into three parts according to the “see-judge-act” method, which offers tools for catechesis and in-depth study on the themes of war, disarmament and Christian testimony. During the vigil on November 19th in the Basilica of San Francesco, a strong appeal for peace rang out: the bishops addressed “those who hold the fate of the people in their hands” asking to ban weapons, starting with atomic warheads, and to use every effort in the service of peace and the fight against world hunger.
Teaching religion: laboratory of culture and dialogue
On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Agreement between CEI and the Ministry of Education on the teaching of the Catholic religion, the bishops approved the document “The teaching of the Catholic religion: a laboratory of culture and dialogue”. The text relaunches this discipline as a valuable contribution to the school community and as a welcoming place, open to all, a training ground for mutual knowledge and understanding.
The protection of minors: an ongoing commitment
A significant moment of the Assembly was the speech by Monsignor Thibault Verny and Monsignor Luis Manuel Alì Herrera, president and secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, who highlighted the value of collaboration with the CEI. During the Vespers of November 18, presided over by the archbishop of Perugia Ivan Maffeis, the bishops prayed for the victims and survivors of abuse, reiterating that “in the face of such gravity there is no room for attitudes of omission or underestimation”.
Charity: ardent core of the mission
The bishops dedicated extensive reflection to the theme of charity, defined as the “ardent core of the Church’s mission”. Faced with growing inequalities, multidimensional fragilities and new solitudes, charity cannot be reduced to mere philanthropy: generosity, prayer and sacramental life remain the source from which commitment towards the most fragile flows. The Assembly asked to enhance the civil service in its vocation to peace and to safeguard Caritas in its specificity, so that it remains a bridge, a place of communion and an instrument of concrete and synodal collaboration.
