Finished in Lebanon the Synod of the Syriac Catholic church

By Baghdadhope

Source and photo: Syriac Catholic Diocese of Mosul

The first Synod of the Syriac Catholic church chaired by Patriarch Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan is finished. All the bishops of the church, except for Mar Jacob George Hafouri, Archbishop Emeritus of Hassaké-Nisibi of the Syriacs, were present. The beginning of the synod was marked by a Mass celebrated by Mar Joseph III who gave a speech stressing the needs of the Syriac Catholic church in the east but also in the countries of diaspora. Speech followed by that of Mar Jacob Barnabas, Apostolic Visitor for the Syro-Malankara community in the extra territorial regions of India and Titular bishop of the Diocese of Bapara. (India)

The final document of the synod marked 13 points of discussion:

1. Participation of priests and lay people in the mission of the diocesan bishops, and the role of women in the life of the church and its mission

2. Attention and encouragement to priestly life to make it flourish and in particular to seminars and monasteries on the occasion of the Priestly Year (June 19, 2009 - June 19, 2010) in memory of St. Giovanni Maria Vianney.

3. Creation of 4 committees: Liturgical - Msgr Jacob Benham Hindo; Ecumenical Dialogue Msgr. Jules Mikhail Al-Jamil; Legal – Msgr. Gregorius Elias Tabi, Priestly and religious vocations – Msgr. Rabula Antoine Beylouni. Particular attention will be given to the Liturgical Committee for its importance in revitalizing the spiritual life and the Eastern tradition on the path of Sant'Ephrem.

4. Creation of a permanent synod formed by Msgr. Theophilus Georges Kassab, Msgr. Denys Antoine Chahda, Msgr. Basilius George Alqas Musa, Msgr. Jules Mikhail Al-Jamil, which will be in force for the next 5 years.

5. On the occasion of the Priestly Year announced by Pope Benedict XVI representatives of the Syriac Catholic parishes in the world will gather for a convention in Lebanon on next spring. The organizing committee will be entrusted to Msgr. Gregorius Butros Melki.

6. Decision to continue the practice for the request of the beatification of Mar Flavianus Mikhail Malki, bishop of Gazireh, Turkey, martyred in 1915.

7. Creation of a diocese in Canada until now united to that of the United States. The proposal will be presented by the Patriarch to the Holy See.

8. Appointment of a bishop for the Diocese of Our Lady of Deliverance for the U.S. and Canada instead of the previous Mar Ephrem Joseph F. Younan who became patriarch.

9. Application of the rule that fixes to 75 years the limit of the pastoral mission of the bishops that the permanent synod can decide to confirm or extend.

10. Stressed the value of the visit of Benedict XVI in Middle East in the light of dialogue between religions and civilizations, of the coexistence, of the rejection of extremism, violence and the exploitation of religion for political purposes.

11. Satisfaction expressed for the peaceful conduct of the elections in Lebanon.

12. Concern expressed over the plight of Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries and in the world. Reminded the need to support Christian refugees hoping that they can return as soon as possible to their own land. Hoping for the cooperation among all groups in Iraq to restore peace, security and coexistence.

13. Announced the ceremony for the communion of Faith between Benedict XVI and Mar Ignatius Joseph III Younan III that will be held in Rome on June 17-20 2009.

List of the participants to the synod:
Mar Ignatius III Joseph Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch

Cardinal Mar Ignatius Musa I Daoud, Patriarch Emeritus of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch. Former Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches

Mar Ignatius Pierre VIII Abdel-Ahad, Patriarch Emeritus of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch

Mar Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka, Archbishop of Baghdad of the Syriacs

Mar Rabula Antoine Beylouni, Archbishop Emeritus of Alep of the Syriacs and Titular Archbishop of Mardin of the Syriacs.

Mar Jules Mikhail Al-Jamil, Titular Archbishop of Takrit of the Syriacs, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate (Lebanon) and Procurator of the Syriac Catholic Church to the Holy See

Mar Flavianus Joseph Melki, Bishop of Dara of the Syriacs, auxiliary bishop of Antioch of the Syriacs (Lebanon)

Mar Gregorius Elias Tabi, Assistant Bishop of Damascus of the Syriacs

Mar Clemént Joseph Hannouche, Bishop of Cairo and Patriarchal Vicar for Sudan

Mar Jacub Benham Hindo, Archbishop of Hassaké-Nisibi of the Siriacs

Mar Basilius George Alqas Musa Archbishop of Mosul of the Syriacs

Mar Theophilus Georges Kassab, Archbishop of Homs, Hama and Nabk of the Siryacs

Mar Denys Antoine Chahda, Patriarchal Vicar of Alep of the Syriacs

Mar Gregorius Butros Melki ,Patriarchal Exarch of Jerusalem, Palestine and Jordan and Auxiliary of Antioch of the Syriacs (Lebanon)

Mar Iwannis Louis Awad, Vicar Apostolic of Venezuela for the faithful of Eastern Syriac rite, titular bishop of Zeugma (Syria)

Chorepiscop Msgr. Youssef Sagh Patriarchal Exarch of Turkey

Chorepiscop Msgr. Toma Azizo Administrator of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance (USA and Canada)