A synodal delegation will travel shortly to Syria as a show of solidarity. For Card Bertone, the solution to the crisis has to be political. For Card Bagnasco, today's culture demonises the notion of 'limit' because it is seen as a denial of individual freedom. Kazakhstan bishop calls for daily education for "our babushka," grandmothers, about the Holy Scriptures.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - As part of the initiatives associated with the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI has summoned all nuncios and pontifical representatives for a meeting in Rome.

As Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone noted in his address at the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelisation in the Vatican, the meeting falls within the nuncios' tasks. As bishops, they are "directly responsible as members of the Episcopal College for proclaiming the Gospel and thus promoting the New Evangelisation."

On the same occasion, the cardinal announced that representatives from the Synod would visit Syria. Benedict XVI, he said, "decided that a delegation would travel to Damascus to express in his and our name, our brotherly solidarity to the entire population with a personal offer from the synodal Fathers and the Holy See of our spiritual closeness to our Christian brothers and sisters, as well as our encouragement to all those working for an agreement that respects the right and duties of everyone, especially in terms of humanitarian law."

The cardinal reiterated the point of view of the Holy See on the Syrian tragedy, namely that "a solution to the crisis can only be political."

Gregorios III Laham, patriarch of the Greek Melkite Church of Antioch, welcomed the announcement of the visit with "tears in his eyes." In the meeting that followed, those present said that the patriarch appeared happy and excited, eager to discuss preparations for the Vatican delegation's arrival in Syria.

In today's proceedings, two lectures looked at the relationship between evangelisation and modern culture, a topic dear to the pope.

"Today's culture demonises the notion of 'limit'," said Card Angelo Bagnasco, president of the Italian Catholic Bishops' Conference, "because it is seen as a denial of individual freedom and vital impetus. This bias twists ethics, relations, family and the experience of illness." However, "the experience of limit-ontological, moral, emotional and psychological-is a great ally to the Gospel since it tells man that he needs others, above all the other that is God." Such need "is not a weakness but something of value because it pushes people to open up to love that is not only reciprocated but also saves."

In his address, the archbishop of Dublin, Mgr Diarmuid Martin, focused on "the many young men and women who in a difficult moment of their lives seek meaning, feeling alone among their fellow classmates, or even hostility and misunderstanding when they want to find or nurture their faith in Jesus Christ." The issue then is, "How can we be present among the legions of students," he asked, "especially among those who have received a very superficial Christian education, both at home and in school."

For Mgr Janusz Kaleta, bishop of Karaganda and apostolic administrator of Atyrau in Kazakhstan, one area of special interest is the need for a "stronger emphasis on traditional religiosity." It is necessary, he said, "to educate every day our 'babushka', grandmothers, about the Holy Scriptures and the catechism, in a simple and understandable way."

"This can be done through retreats, courses and conferences dedicated to mothers," he explained. Thus, young people who still "maintain their faith and tradition" and consider "the family still very important" will find help.

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