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November 26, 2006
To the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Vancouver
“Final Assembly and Promulgation of the Declaration of the
Archdiocesan Synod”
“The Church is alive!” With these four words Pope Benedict the
Sixteenth launched his pontificate. So convinced was he, that he
repeated, “The Church is alive!” six times in his homily at his
inaugural Mass!
The Holy Father’s words were not meant only for Rome. The Church is
alive, here in our archdiocese, here in your parish.
Our Archdiocesan Synod was a sign of a local Church that is fully
alive, not only in a human sense, but alive in Christ, and in the
Holy Spirit, who helped the members reflect and discern what God is
calling us to do.
The Declaration on the Synod, which I will issue next Sunday, is
entitled “Let Us Act.” Archbishop Exner and the synod members
studied the signs of the times, weighed them in the light of the
Gospel, and judged what we need to do. Now is the time to act!
But why are we acting? Why change anything? Because acting on these
recommendations of the Archdiocesan Synod can help us live more
fully the life Jesus brought us. The synodal document points the way
to a more vibrant archdiocese and to more vibrant parishes, all for
one main purpose: that you and I might become holy, fully alive!
When I talked with the Pope during my recent ad limina visit to
Rome, he spoke about our call to holiness. He said that the purpose
of a pastoral program like the one which has come from the Synod is
simply to help us grow in holiness. Not all of the twenty
propositions that I am presenting for immediate action are obviously
geared in that direction, but that is the ultimate purpose of each.
The Church is alive. But the Church can always be more alive, as
the Gospel is preached more widely, as parish liturgies become more
beautiful and powerful, as each Catholic grows in prayer. Let us
take this Declaration on the Synod as an invitation to act
diligently so that the Kingdom is ever more present in this
Archdiocese of Vancouver.
And let us not forget the three words with which Pope John Paul
started his pontificate: “Be not afraid!” Anything new is a bit of
a challenge. Let’s not allow fear of change or of extra work or
extra meetings to slow us down. During the years of the synod, our
local Church listened to the Spirit and planned for the future.
That future is now, and it is the time to act, with confidence that
God continues to guide and bless us.
Asking God to bless you all, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,
Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM
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