Pope’s view may be challenged

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33653, 1 October 1974, Page 17

Pope’s view may be challenged

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright .1 ROME, September 30. Pope Paul’s reaffirmation that spreading the Gospel was the Roman Catholic Church’s sole interest may be challenged by third world churchmen favouring the inclusion of social and political consideration.

Third World delegates to: the fourth world synod of Roman Catholic Bishops in Rome gave a warning on Saturday that the church was too often regarded as an “imported religion,” brought in by colonising powers. They said that greater flexibility in celebrating the liturgy might help give Roman Catholicism more relevance to local cultures and traditions in the developing world. The 77-year-old Pontiff said at his weekly address to pilgrims in St Peter’s Square yesterday that spreading the gospel was the Church’s “supreme duty and sole interest.”

It is expected that differ-

ences of emphasis will emerge between prelates from industrialised and developing nations at the synod, which today starts its first full week of work.

The month-long synod is I being attended by more than <2OO cardinals, patriarchs, and bishops from around the world.

i The theme is “Evangelisiation in the Contemporary I World.”