SECOND AFRICAN SYNOD Zambian Pastoral Implications

1. SECOND AFRICAN SYNOD Zambian Pastoral Implications Peter Henriot, S.J. Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection Diocese of Monze -- Pastoral Meeting St. Kizito 12 May 2009

2. Synod Pastoral Implications �The Synod is not an event but a process!� Preparation, participation, follow-up �The Synod is not just for Africa but for the whole Church� What happens here matters to the world because of growth and vitality of African Church �The Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops�

3. Synod Pastoral Implications SYNOD PROCESS Post-Vatican II governance and pastoral process Topic decided by Vatican (Pope) Guidelines for local discussion (Lineamenta) Agenda for Synod action (Instrumentum Laboris) Preparations in conferences and dioceses Actual Synod discussion and recommendations Letter from Pope (Apostolic Exhortation) Local implementations � synods, workshops, courses, plans, actions, etc

4. Synod Pastoral Implications First African Synod (April 1994) �The Church in Africa and Its Evangelising Mission towards the Year 2000: �You Shall Be My Witnesses (Acts 1:8)�� Proclamation Inculturation Dialogue Justice and Peace Communication

5. Synod Pastoral Implications Evaluation In your opinion, from your experience, what has been the impact of the First African Synod, highpoints and low points, successes and failures? Why has it gone that way? Any important lessons to learn as we go into the Second African Synod?

6. Synod Pastoral Implications Successes and Challenges of First African Synod, on Continent and in Zambia Maturing of African Church Model of �Family of God� Small Christian Communities Inculturation in theology and liturgy Justice and peace structures Dialogue � internal, ecumenical and inter-religious Communication � radio, magazines

7. Synod Pastoral Implications Failures and shortcomings�. Faith has not influenced life as it should, especially relating to political systems We depend too much on donors Documents not distributed widely and hence Synod�s recommendations not widely known Implementation has lacked any strategic plan, and laity not much involved Inculturation has not deeply touched minds and hearts Corruption still rampant

8. Synod Pastoral Implications Process of Second African Synod Indeed, it is �process,� not simply �event�! Discussion guidelines (Lineamenta) 2006 Agenda (Instrumentum Laboris) 2009 Synod in Rome � October 2009 Letter of Pope (Apostolic Exhortation) 2010? Local implementations � synods, workshops, courses, plans, actions, etc.

9. Synod Pastoral Implications Second African Synod (October 2009) �The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: �You Are the Salt of the Earth� You are the light of the World (Mt 5:13-14)�� How be a church that is relevant and credible? Salt and light? What does reconciliation mean? What is the context of reconciliation in Zambia? What are the tasks of reconciliation in Zambia, here in our own parishes? What is a �spirituality of reconciliation� that promotes justice and peace?

10. Synod Pastoral Implications Guidelines (Lineamenta) Review of implementation of #1 � �so-so�� Journey through socio-political, socio-economic, socio-cultural Emphasis on formation, CST, witnessing in politics and economy Reconciliation and healing Questions for discussion: what is being done, what needs to be done?

11. Synod Pastoral Implications What did ZEC do with Guidelines? Example of activities around #1 Pastoral office � summary version, scriptural pamphlet, diocesan actions, parishes? National Catholic Forum � November 2008 What was actually forwarded to Vatican and how? Z�s �distractions�: Constitution, elections, poverty, �tired� ?? Need to self-evaluate

12. Synod Pastoral Implications AMECEA Workshops Lusaka June-July 2008 Nairobi March 2009 SECAM September 2009 Important influence of Benedict�s visit to Africa and coming �social encyclical�

13. Synod Pastoral Implications Possible Agenda Items In your view, from your pastoral experiences here in Zambia, what should be the major agenda items for the Synod?

14. Synod Pastoral Implications What should be key agenda issues for Synod, on Continent and in Zambia? (AMECEA) Impoverishment and development Women and gender issues Role of laity within church and society HIV and AIDS � holistic approach Accountability and transparency Conflict: prevention and resolution Environmental issues Etc, etc...

15. Synod Pastoral Implications Agenda (IL) � four chapters I: Context of Africa � since 1994, critical places (conflicts), theology of church II: Need for reconciliation, justice and peace � concrete experiences in society and church III: Church as salt and light � grounded in culture challenged by globalisation; strength of faith in Christ IV: Church as witness � life, agents, institutions, faithfuls [�relevant and credible?]

16. Synod Pastoral Implications �Reconciliation� means� Settlement, forgiveness, understanding, resolution, compromise, reunion, agreement, consensus, peace Patch up, square off, cease fire, bring together Relates to attitudes, emotions/feelings, actions, structures Fundamental sign of living as children of God, sisters and brothers, able to say Lord�s Prayer

17. Synod Pastoral Implications Five levels of reconciliation in Africa With myself With my neighbour With my ancestors With my earth With my God Expanded meaning of ubuntu?

18. Synod Pastoral Implications Justice: Relationships both personal and structural that respect human dignity, promote human development in full society Is Zambian society �just�? Peace: Not simply absence of conflict but presence of justice Is Zambian society �peaceful�?

19. Synod Pastoral Implications Seven contexts of reconciliation: Zambia Political � after elections Governance � amidst corruption Economic � �prosperity� threatened Social � gap between rich and poor Ecological � threat to community of creation Cultural � African values challenged Ecclesial � for �relevant and credible� church

20. Synod Pastoral Implications Political context challenges for reconciliation Are political leaders trusted servants? Do we have mature multi-partyism or is Opposition seen as undesirable enemies? Are elections �free and fair� and acceptable? What is general feeling of the people about the Government of the Day? (�PIG�?) Where are we with NCC and basic constitutional issues? Bill of Rights? Death penalty? Electoral reforms? Presidential powers?

21. Synod Pastoral Implications Governance context challenges for reconciliation Is there a democratic culture: of, by, for people? What has happened to �One Zambia, One Nation�? Effects of tribalism, regionalism? Does public service really serve the people? How localised, decentralised is government? What is extent and consequence of corruption at various levels? Grand, middle, petty?

22. Synod Pastoral Implications Economic context challenges for reconciliation How will Zambia feel consequences of global economic crisis? Will copper prices rise or decline, with what consequences for expected royalty revenues? What are projections for agricultural futures? Why has the Kwacha fluctuated and where will it land? Fuel and food prices? Can our FNDP and Vision 2030 still be considered realistic?

23. Synod Pastoral Implications Social context challenges for reconciliation Do we recognize the growing gap between rich and poor, urban and rural? (Gini co-efficient?) Do we challenge economic model that doesn�t prioritise social indicators? How do we promote gender equity in church and society? Youth empowerment? Do we see HIV and AIDS as a development and justice issue? How does church identify with the poor?

24. Synod Pastoral Implications Ecological context challenges for reconciliation Does our government, CSOs, church prioritise environmental issues? Is there a trade-off between promotion of foreign investment and ecological concerns? Do our church patterns promote a green culture? (Example of Benedict XIV) What effect do our personal life-style choices have on environment?

25. Synod Pastoral Implications Cultural context challenges for reconciliation What is �Zambian culture�? Should we keep it? Are values entering our society that threaten traditional culture? Impact of globalisation? Are there cultural elements we shouldchallenge? Are our youth becoming �deculturated�? Within our church, are there �clashes� of culture? Where are we with �inculturation� in the Church? �More crucial than ever�� (Instr Labor)

26. Synod Pastoral Implications Ecclesial context challenges for reconciliation Is our church experienced as really relevant and credible? Our SCCs? Examples? Are we Church as �Family of God�? (First African Synod) Ecumenical spirit? Is justice and peace ministry a priority? Are laity respected and involved as responsible Christians? Do youth feel at home in our church? Are women recognised fully in our church? Are our clergy and women/men religious respected in their commitments and life styles?

27. Synod Pastoral Implications Spirituality of reconciliation �Salt and light�� sustains and guides, transforms and examplifies (Instr Labor) Spirituality of �ministry of reconciliation� (2 Cor 5:18) Rooted in Jesus� mission of restoration of the Kingdom values of justice and peace Necessary to assure that our justice and peace is not a project but a way of life Does this mark our worship, catechesis, prayer-life, making our church relevant and credible?

28. Synod Pastoral Implications Reconciliation to God gives believers�access to the power of the Holy Spirit so they can be reconciled to others. The work of reconciliation goes beyond relations among persons and peoples and extends itself to all creation (Rom 8:19). In fact, through Jesus Christ, God the Father has reconciled all things to himself, the things of heaven and the things of earth (Col 1:20). If Church is to fulfill well the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to it by the Lord Jesus, it itself must become more and more a reconciled community, a place where reconciliation is proclaimed to all people of good will. (Instr Labor)

29. Synod Pastoral Implications �Reconciliation with an Inculturated Spirit� Working Paper of JCTR Inculturation Task Force (April 2008) Many issues of conflicts to be dealt with Methods of mediation, meetings, feelings, forgiveness, amendment, prayer Symbols, rituals � e.g., white maize flour, white chicken, eating and drinking from same plate, salt, green leaves, etc.

30. Synod Pastoral Implications Sacrament of Reconciliation Intense moment of prayer � honesty, humility, readiness, love, trust Communal experience of personal forgiveness Possible ways of pastoral adaptations Always with the loving action of Father of Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32)

31. Synod Pastoral Implications Pastoral Challenges (IL) 104. In this regard, the most fitting response from Christ�s disciples (bishops, priests, consecrated persons and the lay faithful) is to employ the arms of faith and seek a more profound conversion in their pursuit of holiness through: hearing the Word; frequenting the sacraments; participating in spiritual exercises; addressing the questions posed by one�s neighbour, society and events; renewing efforts towards moral conversion; maintaining a consistency between one�s actions and the Word which is proclaimed; exercising faithfully the responsibilities entrusted to each; undertaking works of penance, mercy and charity; becoming involved in society so as to counteract an earthly criteria; and following a simple life-style inspired by the Gospel. The core of evangelization is a personal encounter with Jesus in daily prayer, the sacraments and the spiritual life, fully convinced that �unless the Lord build the house, those who build it labour in vain (Ps 127:1).

32. Synod Pastoral Implications Women Religious and Pastoral Work (IL) 127. The formation of consecrated women, who are able to wholeheartedly collaborate in the vineyard of the Lord, requires that their programme of formation be re-evaluated to require both the philosophical and theological disciplines. The value and efficacy of the Church�s teaching on working with women can be seen in how consecrated women collaborate in pastoral programmes.

33. Synod Pastoral Implications Church and politics 138. As lights of the world, Catholics live according to the spirit of the Gospel. These women and men, seized with a spirit of service, a concern for the common good and a respect for human rights, selflessly and courageously take up the cause against dictatorship and corruption and work for a sound and honest management of all natural and human resources. They sacrifice themselves to build and strengthen the principles of democracy so that the rule-of-law may govern the State. The Christian witness of men and women, who give credibility to political activity, will forge a culture of life, peace and justice in African societies. A greater presence of Catholic women and men in leadership positions, who bear witness to the values of credibility, responsibility, justice, probity, etc., will give added flavour to African political life

34. Synod Pastoral Implications What do you think could be some practical pastoral responses in dioceses across Zambia?

35. Synod Pastoral Implications Some practical pastoral responses Train J&P teams in reconcilation at local levels Pick an issue and pursue it in letters, homilies, lessons, etc. Use Agenda (IL) for renewals � simplify, translate, study papers Compose prayers, bless delegates Put in place �Synod Commission� for pre, during and post Synod Especially focus on follow-up

36. Synod Pastoral Implications Path to African Synod in October Exciting moments in days ahead, with focus on Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace Learning about it � SCCs focus? Praying about it � every Mass, special services Acting about it � practising reconciliation, promoting justice and peace

37. Synod Pastoral Implications �The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: �You Are the Salt of the Earth� You are the light of the World (Mt 5:13-14)�� This is our challenge! This is our privilege! This is our prayer!

38. Synod Pastoral Implications THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection JCTR 20 Years of Promoting Faith And Justice: 1988-2008 www.jctr.org.zm

39. Synod Pastoral Implications Questions for discussion in groups How have I experienced reconciliation in any way in my life? How can my Church be an instrument of reconciliation here in Zambia, in Lusaka? What area of reconciliation is most important? What more do I need to know about the coming Second African Synod? Are the any points in the presentation that need further clarification?