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

EUROPE/RUSSIA – The Catholic Community of Moscow: In the face conflict, pray for peace, trust in God, and touch the wounds.

Moscow (Agenzia Fides). “The armed hostilities that have been taking place in Ukraine, the suffering of the people of Russia and – even if they are not comparable – of Russia, provokes requests and ‘demands to God himself, the Church and raises doubts about the meaning and purpose of life as well as hatred, anger, and hate. Even co-religionists can be seen as ‘enemies’ in this climate of polarization. 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 the Concluding Doc of the synodal works of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God reveals. It was published and sent to 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 serve the needy, irrespective of their background or opinions.” The Synod “For the synodal church: communion, participation, and mission” convened by Pope Francis for a two-year period 2021-2023. It is divided into phases and allows for the first time broad and active participation of the laity during the initial phase. This phase is dedicated to listening to the requests of different groups and communities. “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 text is sent to the Catholic Episcopal Conference of the Federation along with the concluding documents of the three suffragan bishops that make up the Ecclesiastical Province of the Catholic Church of the Catholic Church of Russia. They will compile the definitive text, starting with the four provisional texts, that will reach the Synodal Commission of the European continental.
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 Paper is the result of the discussions and the requests for renewal. The text reveals that there were many Orthodox exponents as well as other Christian confessions who participated in the synodal meetings. Among the many issues and needs highlighted in this text are the need to deepen faith community, the problem with clericalism, which contrasts with the desire for greater collaboration among clergy and laity, the need to improve formation of catechists and a wider effective use the means of communication. The difficulty in dealing to the question of the exercise or authority in the Church. The need for spouses from different Christian confessions to be accompanied is also highlighted. This is described as “the highest form inter-confessional dialog” and is therefore emphasized. You can also read the Document in the accompanying letter. It was signed by Msgr. Pezzi expresses hope that the synodal work can continue in years to come. He recalls that the purpose of living in the Church is the encounter Christ.
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 among brothers and sisters of Christ.” (CD/PA) (Agenzia Fides, 4/7/2022)

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