Dear brothers and sisters!
"And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18). These words of Jesus are a great promise to all of mankind and to all Christians. Jesus, and not the people, is the one who builds the Church, and this Church remains in the teachings of her Redeemer, in spite of historical events and the sin of mankind. Peter – and his descendants – as bishop of Rome, the true rock which Jesus supports, is the sign and foundation of the unity of the Church, and the Church's faith.
Naturally, these words do not mean that it is only the Bishop of Rome who leads and teaches Christ’s Church. There have thus, since the early years of the Church, been many Church congregations and synods – larger or smaller assembles of Bishops which discuss, in communion with the Pope of Rome, questions of church teaching or life, deepening these as based on scripture and Church tradition, and bringing these anew, with an increased clarity and specificity, to all Catholics. After the Vatican Second Council, this tradition has been expressed in the regular Bishops’ Synods. These are assemblies of Bishops which take place around every two years, at the request of the Pope, to discuss matters concerning the life of the Church. The next Synod of Bishops will be the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in October 2023.
The theme of the coming Synod of Bishops is the synodality of the Church: In which ways could God’s people in their entirety, all Catholics and every one of us, be actively involved in the life of the Church and in the decisions which arise from that. On this occasion, Pope Francis of Rome has called for the consultation of Catholics worldwide, ahead of the Synod convening. This consultation should be as comprehensive as is possible. The Pope’s goal is to compose the Synods so-entitled Instrumentum Laboris, or “tool”, with proposals gathered during at the meeting to be discussed by the participants of the Synod of Bishops in 2023. The Synod’s initial phase will commence in all dioceses worldwide with a festive Mass, on Sunday, October 17, 2021.
Dear brothers and sisters, I ask you to respond generously to the Pope’s request to attend this meeting. It is a sign of love for the Church, and a desire to partake in it as the life of the Body of Christ. And even if we are primarily a part of the Body of Christ via the sacraments, participation in the life of the Church of Christ – which Christ is continually building – strengthens our Christian vocation. The Holy See has published the required guidelines and topics which Pope Francis requests be discussed, and whose translations will soon be ready. We are expected not only to complete this questionnaire, but also to hold a lively discussion and debate in our congregations, prayer groups, Bible circles and so one, since we form one family, namely the Church.
I thank very much all those who desire to take part in this debate, including those who are prepared to help facilitate this debate in Estonia to be as smooth and as organized as possible. In accordance with the recommendations of the Holy See, I have appointed a media rapporteur for this occasion, namely Ms. Marge-Marje Paas, and a Synod rapporteur, Mr Luc Saffre, both from the St. Peter and St. Paul’s Congregation, in Tallinn. Other members of the various congregations will help them to get the necessary information to every Catholic or interested party. Please help them to make their work easier, and more fruitful.
The three major themes which Pope Francis requests us to delve into are: “Communion, participation and mission”. These are not abstract topics or theoretical questions, but merge and converge into one: Mission – how can the Catholic Church in our city, in Estonia, in Europe and in the world better fulfill the mission entrusted to it by its Founder: “Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mk. 16:15). And how every one of us can participate more actively in this mission.
Now, in the month of October, traditionally the month of the Holy Rosary, let us return with great confidence towards the intercession of the Mother of God, through the Holy Rosary, that this Synod and the work which precedes it over the two years will bear much fruit for the glory of God and for the good of the people.
+ Bishop Philippe Jourdan
Tallinn, 10.10.2021