The Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, tomorrow will be formally approving the documents covering the eight main themes emerging from the Diocesan Synod, which will then be presented to the Church in Malta as a pastoral guide for the coming years.

Archbishop Mercieca will give his approval to the documents, which will be published in the next few weeks, during a celebration at St John's Co-Cathedral.

This was announced by the Archbishop in a pastoral letter being read in all churches in Malta today.

In his pastoral letter, Mgr Mercieca recalled that he had announced the opening of the Diocesan Synod four years ago. He had said the Synod was to be "a time of divine grace and renewal for the Church in Malta". He had invited all faithful "to state what you thought and what you wished to see taking place so that the Church would be better able to fulfil its mission".

Eight main themes

The pastoral letter continues:

"This invitation was answered by many, and with great sincerity. All that was said was analysed and studied very carefully. In the second part of the Synod, I convoked an Assembly, with its members chosen in such a way as to represent the whole Church in Malta. I presented to this Assembly the hopes and the needs of the people as they had been expressed during the consultation process. From these points, eight predominant themes had emerged; these appeared to be the most important focal points for the Church in Malta for the coming years.

"During its many meetings, the Synodal Assembly studied these eight topics in depth and eight pastoral documents were approved. On June 7 of this year, when we celebrated the conclusion of the Synod, these documents were presented to me, to study them and approve them.

"I was present for all the Assembly sessions, and followed the progress of the Synod very closely. I was truly impressed by the participation of so many people, including many lay persons. The atmosphere of fraternal dialogue, sincerity, freedom and, constructive criticism struck me. It was an experience of a true love for the Church, and an awareness of the needs of the human person and of modern society.

"Now that I have studied the documents, I believe I should present them to the Church in Malta as a pastoral guide for the coming years. Thus, tomorrow, during a celebration in St John's Co-Cathedral, I will be signing the decree for the approval of the Synod documents. These documents will then be published in the following weeks.

"The documents deal with the Church as a communion, as well as the relationship of the Church with society and with culture. They discuss the role of the laity in the world and in the Church. Particular attention is devoted to the areas of marriage and the family, as well as those of adolescents and youths.

"The documents also examine the three fundamental ministries of the Church: the proclamation of the Word of God through every possible means, the celebration of the liturgy and the sacraments, and the acceptance of everyone in a spirit of dia-konia and the promotion of justice.

"These documents are the result of a process of discernment by the Church in Malta, and a lot of hard work carried out with great dedication and competence. The documents emerge from the heart of the Church. They will now become instruments for the renewal of the Church in Malta. They will be like a map which will guide us as we walk together in the way of the Lord.

"The Synod shows us that we must be a Church that is committed to a new evangelisation, and also a Church that takes its ongoing formation seriously. It is significant that on the Day dedicated to Christian Teaching, celebrated on the last Sunday in September, all of us can renew our commitment to this Teaching, which is the source of all good.

"The Synod shows that, as a Church, we should be a communion. We should give witness to this communion, and work for the unity of all our brothers and sisters. At the same time, we should also work with contemporary society in a spirit of dialogue.

"The Synod encourages us to be a Church that always works with a spirit of service, which means that we must also work for a just society. It encourages us to work with a spirit of solidarity, giving special attention to those who have moved away from the Church, or who feel they are not accepted fully.

"Hence the documents contain very important values which will foster our formation. We should scrutinise these principles so that they may become an integral part of the vision of every Christian in Malta, and animate our work. These values involve a quality leap in our work; above all, they involve a conversion of the heart.

Environment Commission

"The documents include many proposals and steps are already being taken to put them into effect. For example, I can mention the Environment Commission. This will be the first of its kind in the history of the Church in Malta. It will also be a living example of how the Church is responding to the needs of Maltese society.

"A Diocesan Commission for the Family is also being set up, so that the Church can give greater attention to this very important area in contemporary society.

"The implementation of some of the proposals will involve a longer period. However, if everyone is truly committed, the Spirit of God will bring about a renewal in the life of the Church and of society in Malta.

"We are all aware that other structures, projects, and initiatives are not only important, but also indispensable. At the same time, we must not forget that the most vital element is the heart of all this: the Spirit that gives life. It is only through the strength of the Spirit of God within us that a true renewal will take place in all its different forms.

"To implement the Synod, last June I appointed a Commission which has been given this responsibility. This commission has already carried out a great deal of work, so as to lay down the framework for the implementation of the Synod.

"Groups to assist in this implementation have been set up in every parish, religious congregation, association or movement, and in other structures. These are all useful. However true success will depend on all of us - we all have to give our contribution"

An appeal

Archbishop Mercieca then urged all diocesan and religious priests to be in the forefront in the implementation of the Synod, in their role as leaders of the People of God.

He said all religious, men and women, through their charisms, can have their place as protagonists in the implementation of the Synod.

He urged "the great number" of lay pastoral workers in the Maltese Church "to put their desire to serve the Lord into practice by also committing themselves to the implementation of the Synod."

Archbishop Mercieca concluded: "The Synod has shown us that it is much more beautiful and useful to light a candle than to complain about darkness. My profound hope and desire is that this candle will continue burning and giving light to the whole of Maltese society."