Pope Francis: Synod must continue
to work in our hearts
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| Pope Francis offers his reflection at the conclusion of the final session of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. (Vatican Media) |
As the XV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops draws to
a close, Pope Francis thanks those who took part. He gave thanks especially to
the young people who "brought us their music here in the Hall.
By Christopher Wells
Speaking off the cuff at the conclusion of the General
Assembly of the Synod, Pope Francis emphasised three main points that, he said,
“I carry in my heart.”
The Synod is not a parliament
First, he reminded those present at the Synod that “the
Synod is not a Parliament.” Rather, the Synod is a “protected space” where the
Holy Spirit is allowed to work. For this reason, the information about what
happened in the Synod was more general, with few specific details released.
“Let us not forget this,” the Pope said: “It was the Spirit who worked here.”
The Synod must work in our hearts
Pope Francis’ second point related to the final document of
the Synod, which was approved on Saturday. However, the Pope said, “the result
of the Synod is not a document.” Rather, the Synod must “work in our hearts.”
He continued, “the Spirit gives us the document to work in our hearts. We are
the recipients of the document, not the people outside.” In order to for the
document to work, he said, it is important “to pray with the document, study
it, ask for light.”
Combat the Great Accuser with prayer and penance
Finally, the Pope said “I think of our Mother, Holy Mother
Church.” The final document recognises that the Church is holy, even if we “Her
children, are sinners.” Pope Francis said, the “Great Accuser” always takes
advantage of our sins; and now, in particular, “he is accusing strongly, and
this accusation becomes persecution.” That persecution, he explained, is not
only the physical violence we see in some parts of the world, but also
accusations designed to smear the Church. Although individual Catholics are
dirty, the Church is not – and for this reason, the Pope said, “it is time to
defend our Mother; and our Mother is defended against the Great Accuser with
prayer and penance.” That, he said, is why he requested the faithful to pray
the Rosary, and to pray to Saint Michael throughout the month of October. “It
is a difficult moment,” the Pope said, “because the accuser attacks our Mother
[the Church] through us, and the Church is not touched. I wanted to say this
‘from the heart’ at the end of the Synod.”
Pope Francis concluded, “Now, the Holy Spirit gives you this
document for all of us, and also for me, to reflect on what He wants to say to
us. Thank you very much; thank you, everyone!”
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