EUROPE/RUSSIA – The Catholic community of Moscow: in the face of war, pray for peace, hope in God, touch the wounds of the suffering

EUROPE/RUSSIA – The Catholic community in Moscow: In the face of war, pray and hope in God, touch those who are suffering

Moscow (Agenzia Fides). “The armed hostilities that have been taking place in Ukraine, and the suffering of the people of Russia – even if they are not comparable – provokes requests and ‘demands to God himself, the Church and doubts about the meaning and purpose of life as well as hatred, anger, and hate. In this polarized world, even coreligionists are sometimes viewed as ‘enemies.’ The zealous prayer for peace by Pope Francis in the spirit of consecration to Russia and Ukraine by the Immaculate Heart and Mary is important. Some Orthodox also consider it an important sign. This is because, as in all extreme circumstances, the awareness that one is powerless gives us the opportunity to place our hopes in God with greater awareness and rediscover the strength and importance prayer, which, in many cases, becomes ‘the only answer, even to divisions’. This is what we found in the Concluding document of the synodal work for the Archdiocese of the Mother of God. It was just published and sent Agenzia Fides. The text refers to the ongoing war in Ukraine and asks for “the willingnessto touch one’s personal wounds and those of others, like the apostle Thomas touched Christ’s wounds; maintaining contact, even on the other end of the border; to serve peace regardless of context; to help the poor, regardless their background or opinions”. The Synod “For an synodal Church” convened by Pope Francis for a two-year period 2021-2023. It is divided into several phases. This initial phase is dedicated to listening and responding to requests from different communities and groups. “The most important result, in my opinion, is the openness to relationships with others, which has led us to want to continue this ‘path together’ also in the future; and to become aware of our common responsibility towards the Church”, reports to Agenzia Fides Oksana Pimenova, coordinator of the “Youth Center” (“Molodëžnyj centr”) in Moscow, one of the groups of Russian Catholics of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God, who since September 2021 has participated in the first phase of the synodal journey. Fr. Together with Fr. The text was written by Georgij Kromkin, Director at the diocesan information services, Oksana Piemenova.
The final documents of the three other suffragan diocesan dioceses of the Catholic Church in Russia are sent to the Catholic Episcopal Conference of the Federation. This conference, which will begin with the four provisional documents will create the definitive text that will be sent to the Synodal Commission of the European mainland.
The Archdiocese of the Mother of God is led by Msgr. Paolo Pezzi, covers an area of 2,629,000 km² and includes about a hundred communities, in which 82 working groups were born in which the synodal journey was discussed as a way to experience full belonging to the Catholic Church and to one’s own local community. The geopolitical situation and various difficulties caused by the pandemic made it impossible for all groups to come up with a joint text. However, 52 contributions were received and discussed at the end of the first synodal stage, held in St. Petersburg, June 15-16. The Archdiocese’s Concluding document is the final document that reflects the issues raised over the months of work. It contains both the majority and minority requests for renewal. The text reveals that there were many Orthodox exponents as well as other Christian confessions who participated in the synodal meetings. The text highlights the many problems and needs that were raised and the need for improvement in the community dimension of faith, the problem of clericalism which is contrasted with the desire to increase collaboration between clergy-laity, the need for better formation of catechists, the effective use of communication and the difficulty in dealing the issue of the exercise and administration of authority within the Church. It is also stressed that spouses of different Christian confessions need to be accompanied. This is what is known as “the highest form for inter-confessional dialogue”. You can also read the document in the letter that was attached to its publication, signed by Msgr. Pezzi expressed hope that synodal work would continue in the future, recalling that the purpose and purpose of life in Christ’s Church is to encounter him.
Oksana Piemenova concludes the new pastoral years by saying: “I am deeply touched by the action God has taken, because we experience together the conversion of our hearts and, like the written document, we are called to witness and continue the synodal travel in our communities. This is a sign of the living Church, and fruitful relationships between brothers and sisters in Christ”. (CD/PA) (Agenzia Fides, 4/7/2022)

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