Eucharist 'centre of Christian life'

The celebration of the Eucharist is the centre of Christian life according to the documents of the Vatican Council II, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca said yesterday.

Speaking during the bishops' synod, currently meeting in Rome to discuss the Eucharist, Mgr Mercieca said in the Church everything is achieved through the celebration of the Eucharist and everything has to lead to it as a final aim.

Mgr Mercieca said the liturgy reform tried to place the Eucharist in its proper perspective by recognising the central place that this should have in the Church's life.

The bishops' synod is a permanent institution which was started by Pope Paul VI in 1965.