Forty years ago this month the 1971 International Synod of Bishops met in Rome to discuss the issue of Justice.  This proved remarkable first for its process: the bishops issued the resulting document, Justice in the World, themselves rather than leave Vatican officials to edit their deliberations.  As for its radical content, they asserted that action for justice is essential to the preaching of the Gospel.  Participation was a key element: the global poor should determine their own development, and lay people – especially women - have a greater say within the Church.  They were prophetic about ecology as well as economic power, and the Synod stimulated the growth of Justice and Peace structures throughout the Church internationally.

The Synod was frank about the need for the Church to practise what it preaches about justice.  It is a prescription for today which can heal and inspire a Church damaged by failures in justice.

That is why the summary of that report, Our World and You, is being republished by Pax Christi, the Justice and Peace Network, and Columban JPIC. 

Writing in the Columban magazine Vocation for Justice, theologian Donal Dorr called it: "one of the most important documents that has ever been issued by leaders in the Church...both its contents and the process which gave rise to it could be the basis for an agenda for the Church today."

Price £2.00 from Pax Christi (inclusive of p&p) To order a copy call : 020 8203 4884

For more information see: http://www.paxchristi.org.uk

[Taken from ICN. Article by Valerie Flessati]