Synthesis of the Synod

The Internet has allowed instant communication from the Synod (like the Jesuit's 35th General Congregation at the beginning of this year).

Basilian Father Thomas Rosica (the Vatican's English-language press attache for the 2008 world Synod of Bishops) communicated that

I have always had great respect and admiration for Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the archbishop of Quebec and the relator-general of this world Synod of Bishops on the Word of God. What he did today in the Aula, in the presence of the entire assembly and Benedict XVI, was a real “tour de force” that left many people spellbound.

Access his summary for his description of the intervention.

John L. Allen Jr. offered last Friday his description of where things stand thus far:

As the Oct. 5-26 Synod of Bishops on the Bible moves into its "sausage-grinding" phase, working on propositions that will be submitted to the pope and a concluding message to the world, it already seems possible to anticipate several of its conclusions, at least at a fairly high level of magnification. . . .

I'll give a quick summary of the proceedings so far, first looking at areas of general agreement and then three tensions that, at this stage, remain unresolved.

Mr. Allen listed areas of "General Agreement" and "Tensions." Tensions fell under three categories: 1) Lay Ministers of the Word; 2) The Historical-Critical Method; and 3) Inerrancy of the Bible. His summary concludes with excerpts of his interviews with some bishops at the synod about some of the topics in his summary and about others.
_________________________________________________
Wiki-image of a bible and rose is in the public domain.