Sir, - The Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops will be held in Rome from October 1st to 23rd. This will be the last of the continental synods of bishops to be held by the Catholic Church in preparation for the new millennium. The theme for this synod is "Jesus Christ Alive in His Church, Source of Hope for Europe". The Irish Bishops' Conference will be represented at the Synod by Archbishop Sean Brady, Archbishop Desmond Connell, Bishop Donal Murray and Bishop Patrick Walsh.
The Instrumentum Laboris, a 90-page working document for the synod, was published recently. It states that the fundamental aims of the synod are "to analyse the situation of the Church in Europe in view of Jubilee 2000, to indicate ways in which the immense spiritual reserves of the continent can fully develop in all areas and to foster a new proclamation of the Gospel."
The Irish Bishops' Conference would welcome submissions from groups or individuals in response to the working document. The responses should be addressed to me, to arrive by September 17th.
The working document is available on the Internet at the Vatican web-side (www.vatican.va) where it can be accessed under Roman Curia, sub-heading Synod of Bishops. Alternatively, it is available by telephoning me at (01) 288 4528 or by writing to me at 169 Booterstown Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. - Yours, etc., Rev Martin Clark,
Communications Officer, Irish Bishops' Conference, Blackrock, Co Dublin.