Bishop says synod is a 'new Pentecost' for Maronites around the world

Published: 2006-06-15

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- The Maronite Catholic Church's patriarchal synod is a "new Pentecost" for Maronites around the world, said an Australian Maronite bishop and synod participant. "We felt the need to come together to have a new spring and to have a church of new horizons for new times," said Bishop 'Ad Abikaram of St. Maron of Sydney, Australia. The synod also represented an opportunity for Maronites to "rediscover our Maronite-ness." The three-phase Maronite synod, which began in June 2003 and ended June 11, was a reflection and examination of issues and suggested reforms related to the Maronite Catholic Church, an Eastern rite in communion with Rome, with about 5 million Maronites around the world.

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