Pope schedules 2008 Synod of Bishops on Bible in life of church

Published: 2006-10-06

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has scheduled a meeting of the world Synod of Bishops for 2008 and has decided the synod will focus on the Bible in the life of the church. A brief announcement issued Oct. 6 said bishops from around the world elected to represent their peers will meet at the Vatican Oct. 5-26, 2008, to discuss the theme, "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church." During the last synod, the 2005 gathering focused on the Eucharist in the life of the church, participants elected members to a council to follow up on the synod and prepare for the next session. Participants at the 2005 synod also offered Pope Benedict suggestions for topics to be treated; the importance of the Bible was one of the most popular topics. The synod council will prepare an outline and list of questions for bishops' conferences and individual bishops to consider, then use the responses in drafting a working document for the 2008 meeting.

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