Church Leaders Voice Their Expectations for the Synod

What happens in Rome from 10 to 24 October will be an historic ecclesial moment and a unique opportunity for the Catholic Church of the Middle East. It's therefore also important for the small Christian community in the Holy Land. A renewed vitality is expected from the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. Those are the wishes and hopes of the Patriarchs, Bishops, and priests who will lead the Synod through all the challenges, difficulties and expectations of the "little flock" who lives in the Land of Christ.Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem: "We have a great big heart. A heart that breathes with the lungs of the Universal Church."Melkite Archbishop Elias Chacour of Galilee, "I believe that the Synod is a grace, a gift of God. It will be good, it'll be strong, it will be a moment of reflection and prayer. And I am sure that our bishops are ready with all humility to receive the Holy Spirit, for a new era in the Church. "Melkite Bishop Youssef Jules Zreyi, Patriarchal Vicar, Jerusalem: "It will be a time of prayer, first of all. And also a time of meeting of communion and unity. "Bishop Raphael Minassian, Patriarchal Exarch, Armenian Church of Jerusalem and Amman. "The expectations are not for the Armenian Church, so much as for the Catholic Church in the Middle East. What we lack and what we must insist more for is, for me, the communion. "Archbishop Michael Sabbah, Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem: "It's a moment we've been waiting for, I must say, because we need to stop, to pray and think about our situation. "Maronite Archbishop Paul Nabil Sayah of the Holy Land: "Every event that brings together the whole Church is an event that will have a great influence on the future life of the Church. We feel that this Synod will have an effect on our Christian presence here, but how much difference is made is up to what we decide to do after the Synod. "Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custodian of the Holy Land: "To the many who ask what the concrete results of the synod will be, I say 'there will be no concrete results' but definitely a new spirit, yes. The very fact of being together for so long is a unique experience - for the first time to get to know each other and to exchange experiences. Certainly it won't bring anything new because all that's new is already there, we have everything we need. But what will change is the way we live this reality. It will certainly be an experience of sharing which will bring a new reality of where we are called to work."

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