Ecclesia in Oceania

Brief History
Outline
Link to Complete Document
Source

Brief History

Ecclesia in Oceania was published by Pope John Paul II as the summary the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Oceania, which was held from November 22 - December 12, 1998. In the words of the Holy Father, "The Assembly analyzed and discussed the present situation of the Church in Oceania in order to plan more effectively for the future. It also focused the attention of the universal Church on the hopes and challenges, the needs and opportunities, the sorrows and joys of the vast human tapestry which is Oceania." [# 2] Reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary takes place twice in the document: in # 5, when speaking of Christ who was born of Mary, and in #53, the final paragraph and conclusion to the document. The document speaks of the deep devotion to Mary as an integral aspect of the Catholic faith in Oceania. Special veneration is given to her under the title Help of Christians. She has been proclaimed "Patroness of Oceania under the title of Our Lady of Peace." [# 53] It is especially under the aspect of peace that Pope John Paul II concludes the document. In a prayer addressed to Mary, Help of Christians, Mother of the Church, Bright Star of the Sea, and Our Lady of Peace, Mary as "light of every ocean and mistress of the deep" is asked to "guide the peoples of Oceania across all dark and stormy seas." [# 53]

Outline

Introduction 1-2 Glory to God at the dawn of the Third Millennium The Synod Chapter I Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania The Person of Jesus - The call 3 Presenting Jesus Christ 4 Jesus Christ: Shepherd, Prophet and Priest 5 The Peoples of Oceania - Place and Time 6 Mission and Culture 7 The Special Synod Assembly The Theme 8 The Experience 9 Chapter II. Walking The Way of Jesus Christ in Oceania The Church as Communion - Mystery and Gift 10 The Church Particular and Universal 11 Mutual Enrichment 12 Communion and Mission -The Call to Mission 13 Challenges 14 A Church of Participation 15 Inculturation 16 The Current Situation 17 Chapter III Telling the Truth of Jesus Christ in Oceania A New Evangelization - Evangelization in Oceania 18 The Agents of Evangelization 19 The Primacy of Proclamation 20 Evangelization and the Media 21 Catechesis 22 Ecumenism 23 Fundamentalist Groups 24 Interreligious Dialogue 25 Hope for society - The Church's Social Teaching 26 Human Rights 27 Indigenous Peoples 28 Development Aid 29 The Sanctity of Life 30 The Environment 31 Charitable works - Catholic Institutions 32 Catholic Education 33 Health Care 34 Social Services 35 Chapter IV. Living the Life of Jesus Christ in Oceania Spiritual and Sacramental life - Come Holy Spirit! 36 The Spirit of Interiority 37 "Lectio Divina" and Scripture 38 Liturgy 39 The Eucharist 40 The Sacrament of Penance 41 Anointing of the Sick 42 The people of God - The Vocation of the Laity 43 Young People in the Church 44 Marriage and Family Life 45 Women in the Church 46 New Ecclesial Movements 47 Vocations and Seminaries 48-49 The Permanent Diaconate 50 The Consecrated Life 51-52 Conclusion 53 Mary our Mother 53

Link to complete document

This document is found on the Vatican site at: Ecclesia in Oceania Note: To locate a specific quote once you have reached the document, use ctrl+f to search.

Source

AAS 94 (2001): 361-444 (AAS text is in English);

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