The Synod is a Church institution or organism born of the Second Vatican Council. It was instituted by Pope Paul VI, who announced its creation on September 15th, 1965. Up to now, since 1967, when the first Synod took place, 29 Synods of bishops have been held in the Church, all of them in the Vatican.
On November 30th, 2021, we have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the celebration of the II Synod of Bishops, held in 1971. Pope Paul VI, in the general audience of November 24th, 1971, ordered to make public the two documents approved by the II General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, about the concerned issues: «The ministerial priesthood» and «Justice in the world».
The document «Justice in the world» presents, with a critical look, the reality of the world at the time of the Second Vatican Council, and states: «We have been able to know the serious injustices surrounding the human world through a network of domains, oppressions and abuses that stifle freedom and prevent most of the human race from participating in the edification and enjoyment of a more equal and more fraternal world ”.
On the other hand, it recognizes the contribution of people docile to the Spirit action sowing hope and committed to build a better world: “There is no shortage of facts contributing to the promotion of justice. In human groups and in people themselves is born a new consciousness shaking them from resignation to fatalism and urging them to get free and responsible for their own fate. As well they appear human movements that reflect the hope for a better world and the will to change all that can no longer be tolerated ”.
The document urges the Church to carry out its mission: “Listening to the cry of people suffering violence and oppressed by unjust systems and mechanisms and listening also to the questions of a world that contradicts the Creator’s plan with its perversity, we are unanimously aware of the Church’s vocation to be present in the heart of the world, preaching the Good News to the poor, liberation to the oppressed and joy to the afflicted”. It is organized in four parts:
The first part: social justice and world society, with four sections: the crisis of universal solidarity, the right to development, the injustice without a voice and the need of dialogue.
The second part: the proclamation of the Gospel and the mission of the Church, is presented in two sections: the saving justice of God through Christ and the mission of the Church, the hierarchy and the Christians.
The third part: the practice of justice, presents six sections: the Church witness, the education for justice, the cooperation among local Churches, the ecumenical collaboration and the international action and it ends briefly expressing the wishes of the Synod.
The fourth part: it encourages with a word of hope: “The radical transformation of the world at the Lord’s Passover gives full meaning to the efforts of men, and particularly of young people, to reduce injustice, violence and hatred, and to promote the progress of all in justice, freedom, fatherhood and love ”.
Let us celebrate the anniversary of the Synod «Justice in the world», disseminating the content of this document so actual also for our time.