TICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VATICAN n VAT

Left: One of the sessions of the synod on the family, presided over by Pope Francis I

the situation in all sorts of countries like the tragedy faced by Christian families in Syria and Iraq; the despair of African countries hit by Ebola; the growing poverty connected to migration; and the increasing violence and abuse, especially against women and children. Hearing about the commitment, the

doubts and hopes of so many Catholics witnessing in these situations reminds us, Baptists who also face and address these challenges, that we do not stand alone. Unity and effective collaboration between Christians will bring more strength to solve these painful challenges. I was also touched by the Bible-based

ON THE FAMILY

matters are concerned marriage is not a sacrament to us Baptists), it was impressive to see the concern of many Catholic leaders to reach out to the poor, the wounded and the lost sheep. As I said in the official speech I

delivered during the synod, Baptists and Catholics share the same concern “about those who are suffering in our various respective countries; those without a voice, believers or not, who need Christians to be the salt of the earth, to be the hands and the arms and the word of Christ to protect them and proclaim justice.” I quoted our most famous Baptist, Martin Luther King Jr., “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” I thank God for the many opportunities of fellowship and common prayer or reflection during the fortnight. Let me mention some highlights: the sharing about

preaching I heard every morning from the synodal fathers. I too enjoyed the various conversations at coffee break, even with the Pope himself who was sharing that time with us. During the conversation I

Right: BWA

representative Valerie Duval- Poujol of France, greeting Pope Francis I at the synod on the family at the Vatican in October 2014

Below: Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant participants at the synod on the family at the Vatican

had with him, he explicitly invited me to ask our Baptist family to pray for him. This request surely will find echo in the prayers of many Baptists who have made theirs the

working documents on which churches around the world are invited to reflect and pray until a next synod is held in October 2015.

Alongside our Catholic brothers and

sisters, we too can pray that within our homes and families the Good News of Jesus Christ may be shared; that hope, justice and love may grow; and that, guided by the Holy Spirit, we may find solutions to the challenges we meet, together. We commit ourselves into the hands of our Father “from whom every family takes its name” (Eph 3).

Valerie Duval-Poujol is president of the ecumenical commission of the Protestant Federation of France and teaches biblical exegesis at the Catholic Institute of Paris.

JANUARY/MARCH 2015 25

words from Galatians 6:2, to “carry each other’s burdens.” Finally, I was touched by the amazing

welcome we received at the Vatican as fraternal delegates. There has been a great desire from the Catholic authorities to honor us and, through us, the millions of Christians we represent. For instance, during the opening mass of the synod we were offered a seat at the very front row of St. Peter’s cathedral and, during the synod itself, we were invited to take active part in all sessions and working groups. This synod has allowed me to get a

more precise picture of the actual situation of families and couples around the world. The result looks like an impressionist painting with shades and lights, difficulties, sufferings and hopes. There are as yet no definitive results from the synod. The adopted texts are