SYNOD OF BISHOPS XII ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS VATICAN CITY 2008 PART III CHAPTER VII The Word of God in serving and forming the People of God Holding Fast to Scripture (cf. DV 25) The formation of the faithful in receiving and communicating the Word of God is a particularly important pastoral commitment. Dei Verbum refers to this duty by recalling the multi-faceted value of the Word of God and by clearly indicating the tasks, responsibilities and formation program.
Transcript
SYNOD OF BISHOPSXII ORDINARY GENERAL
ASSEMBLYTHE WORD OF GOD
IN THE LIFE AND MISSIONOF THE CHURCH
INSTRUMENTUM LABORISVATICAN CITY
2008
PART III CHAPTER VIIThe Word of God in serving and
forming the People of GodHolding Fast to Scripture
(cf. DV 25) The formation of the faithful in receiving and communicating the Word of God is a particularly important pastoral commitment.
Dei Verbum refers to this duty by recalling the multi-faceted value of the Word of God and by clearly indicating the tasks,
responsibilities and formation program.
CHAPTER VII The Hunger and Thirst for the Word of God
(cf. Am 8:11):
Attention to the Needs of the People of God
46. Knowledge, understanding and
practice of the Word are seen as needing consideration.
Knowledge concerns the true nature of the Word
and its means of communication, Scripture and Tradition, along with the service provided by
the Magisterium.
CHAPTER VII The Hunger and Thirst for the Word of God
(cf. Am 8:11):
Attention to the Needs of the People of God46. Though considerable work
has been done since the Second Vatican Council, the need for clarity and certainty on what Revelation offers is
truly great. As previously noted, the main problem in understanding is
the interpretation and inculturation of the Word of
God. Difficulties exist in biblical
practice. Many people do not have a
translation of the Bible available.
CHAPTER VII The Hunger and Thirst for the Word of God
(cf. Am 8:11):
Attention to the Needs of the People of God
46. Today, other aspects need to be borne in mind.
For example, illiteracy in many parts of the world poses problems
in reading. For many, learning depends
primarily on seeing and hearing; as a result it is momentary and
limited. In certain parts of the world the prevailing religious culture does
not allow immediate access to the Bible.
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. Evidence seems to show that the Spirit is
recommending to the particular Churches to again read the documents of the Second Vatican Council,
especially the four Constitutions, with Dei
Verbum at the centre, and making them the object of catechesis for the entire
People of God in such a way as to bring people to a better
consciousness of them.
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. The theology of revelation, the theology of Scripture, the relation of the Old to the New
Testament and divine pedagogy are significant topics which can only be
treated in a working program of catechesis and a structured
study of the Bible.
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. This requires, by necessity, a method of
approach and vital supports.
The Word of God can be heard in a variety of ways.
The essential matter, however, is that the Word can truly touch hearts and become
a living Word and not just a Word which is simply heard or
known.
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. Consequently, nothing can substitute for the habitual,
patient dedication of a person to prayer.
Simple assistance, accessible to everyone, and
encouragement need to be offered.
Various movements, Catholic Action among them, provide ways to apply the Word of
God to everyday life.
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. Today, the technology and the means which put people in
contact with the Bible are many and generally well-done, including
commentaries, introductory materials to the Bible, Bibles for
children and young people, spiritual books and scholarly and popular magazines on the Bible, not to mention the vast field of simple and elaborate means
which serve to communicate the Word of God.
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. The Bread of the Word needs to be offered and made
understandable to our brothers and sisters in the
faith.
This calls for solidarity between the particular
Churches on various levels, including material support.
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. All that concerns the new forms of communication requires fresh
and proper thinking.
Familiarity with the Sacred Scriptures is not an easy task.
Like the minister of the Queen of Ethiopia, understanding the
contents of a biblical text requires a pedagogy which begins in
Scripture itself and leads to an understanding and acceptance of
the Good News of Jesus (cf. Acts 8:26-40).
CHAPTER VII "In Sacred Scripture, the marvelous ‘condescension’ of
eternal wisdom is clearly shown" (DV 13).
47. Above all, such a program needs to follow creative and
Gospel-inspired ways of putting into practice the teaching of Dei Verbum,
which, in its time, provided an authentic qualitative and quantitative access to the
Word of God contained in the Scriptures.
CHAPTER VII Bishops in the Ministry of the Word
48. The Second Vatican Council teaches that
"bishops have the responsibility to give the faithful entrusted to them suitable instruction in the right use
of the divine books" (DV 25).
Consequently, according to the munus docendi of bishops, this task is directly related to the person of the bishop as both a hearer and
servant of the Word (Cf. IOANNES PAULUS II, Adhort. Apost. Post-Syn.
Pastores Gregis (16.10.2003), III: AAS 96 (2004) 859-867. ).
CHAPTER VII Bishops in the Ministry of the Word
48. In the world of communications, the bishop ought to be a fit
communicator of the wisdom contained in the Bible, not so much through his learning on the subject
as his habitual contact with the sacred books, becoming thereby a
guide for all those who open the Bible each day.
Making the Word of God and the Sacred Scriptures the soul of his
pastoral activity, the bishop is capable of bringing the faithful to
encounter Christ, the Font of Life.
CHAPTER VII Bishops in the Ministry of the Word
48. The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has pointed
out the need to educate the people in reading and
meditating on the Word of God as spiritual food,
"so that, through their own experience, the faithful will see that the words of Jesus
are spirit and life (cf. Jn 6:63). ...
CHAPTER VII Bishops in the Ministry of the Word
48. We must build our missionary commitment
and the whole of our lives on the rock of the Word of
God.
For this reason, I encourage the Bishops to strive to make it known "
(BENEDICTUS XVI, Allocutio In Inauguratione Operum V Coetus Generalis Episcoporum Americae Latinae et Regionis Caraibicae (13.05.2007), 3; AAS
99 (2007) 450.).
CHAPTER VII Bishops in the Ministry of the Word
48. Therefore, the best way to foster a taste for the Sacred
Scriptures is for the bishop himself to be formed by the Word of God.
He has the continual possibility of helping the faithful taste Scripture.
Each time he speaks to Christ’s faithful, especially priests, he can give some example and wisdom
from Lectio Divina.
If he engages in this practice regularly and presents it in a simple
manner, the faithful will be led to true knowledge.
CHAPTER VII Bishops in the Ministry of the Word
48. Every Bible practice and every initiative to foster it
—surely the aim of the ministry of Pastors—
is to be considered the way of the Church and the basis of
every devotion.
CHAPTER VII The Task of Priests and Deacons
49. Knowledge of and familiarity with the Word of God is also of
prime importance for priests and deacons in their calling to the
ministry of evangelization. The Second Vatican Council states
that, by necessity, all the clergy, primarily priests and deacons,
ought to have continual contact with the Scriptures, though assiduous reading and attentive study of the sacred texts, so as not to become idle preachers of the Word of God,
hearing the Word only with their ears while not hearing it with their
hearts (cf. DV 25; PO 4).
CHAPTER VII The Task of Priests and Deacons
49. In keeping with this conciliar
teaching, canon law speaks of the ministry
of the Word of God entrusted to priests
and deacons as collaborators of the
Bishop (Cf. CIC can. 757; CCEO, can. 608; 614.).
CHAPTER VII The Task of Priests and Deacons
49. By being in daily contact with the Word, priests and deacons draw the life necessary to resist being conformed to the mentality
of the world and receive the ability wisely to discern personal matters and those of the community so that, in their apostolic
activity, they can zealously guide the People of God in the ways of the Lord.
Consequently, instruction and pastoral formation inspired by the Word of God are a necessity.
Developments in biblical learning, various needs and the ever-changing pastoral situation demand an ongoing formation.
CHAPTER VII The Task of Priests and
Deacons49. The task of proclamation calls for recourse to specific initiatives, for example, a full appreciation of the Bible in all
pastoral projects. In every diocese a biblical
pastoral program, under the guidance of the bishop, can
insert the Bible into the Church’s great initiatives in evangelization
and catechesis. If this is done, the Word of God
can be seen as the basis for and manifestation of
communion among the clergy and laity, and, consequently,
among parishes, communities of the consecrated life and ecclesial movements.
CHAPTER VII The Task of Priests and Deacons
49. From the vantage point of priestly service, seminary formation increasingly calls for a greater, up-to-date knowledge of exegesis and theology, a solid formation in the
pastoral use of the Bible and a true and proper initiation into biblical spirituality, without neglecting an
instruction in a passionate love for the Word expressed in service to
the People of God. Members of the clergy, then, are asked to dedicate themselves to
being students of Sacred Scripture, even through higher studies.
CHAPTER VII Various Ministries of the Word of God
50. Biblical and liturgical renewal requires servants of the Word of God, primarily in the liturgy and then in other forms of communicating the
Bible.
As for service in the liturgy, the ministry of the Word of God is
realized in proclaiming the readings and, in a special way,
in the homily.
CHAPTER VII Various Ministries of the Word of God
50. The proclamation of the Word in the liturgy is an office proper to the
instituted ministry of lector.
In his absence, a qualified lay man or woman can proclaim the readings.
The homily is to be done only by an ordained minister
(Cf. MISSALE ROMANUM, Institutio Generalis, 66, editio typica III, Typis Vaticanis 2002, p. 34.).
In certain cases, canon law makes provisions for the laity to preach in a
Church or oratory (Cf. CIC can. 766; CCEO, can. 614, § 3; 4.).
CHAPTER VII Various Ministries of the Word of God
50. Servants of the Word include catechists, the leaders of Bible
groups and those who have a role in the formation of the laity in the liturgy, charitable activity and the teaching of religion in schools.
The General Directory for Catechesis lists the required
competencies. The matter of pastoral assistants is
receiving special attention in all particular Churches, as seen in
both the great hunger for Sacred Scripture and the difficulties encountered in rendering the
services needed.
CHAPTER VII The Task of the Laity
51. As members of the Church through Baptism and sharers in Christ’s priestly, prophetic
and royal office, the lay faithful participate in the salvific mission which the Father
entrusted to his Son for the salvation of all peoples
(LG 34-36)
(Cf. IOANNES PAULUS II, Adhot. Apost. Post-Syn. Christifideles Laici (30.12.1988), 8, 14: AAS 81
