VATICAN CITY (CNS): In the largest gathering of its kind at the Vatican, more than 150 cardinals drew up a list of pastoral priorities for the third millennium, including new ways of strengthening holiness, unity and missionary energy in the Church.
Pope John Paul II, who celebrated Mass to close the May 21-24 consistory, called it a “moment of communion” that produced deep analysis and some well thought out proposals.
“The Church finds itself today facing enormous challenges, which put to the test the trust and enthusiasm of those who proclaim (the Gospel),” the Pope said. He said he planned to make use of the cardinals’ suggestions across a broad range of pastoral topics.
It was the sixth time the Pope had called the cardinals together in a special consultative meeting and the first time since 1994. For more than half the 155 participants, it was a new experience.
The consistory featured introductory speeches by three cardinals, short talks by about half the participants, and small group discussions. In the final working session, small group reports were read aloud, along with a 17-page document that summed up the main points of the meeting.
