Bishop Louis-Armel Pelâtre is an Assumptionist bishop. Since 1992, he has been Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul in Turkey.  As such, he is a member of the Special Synod for the Near East, held in Rome from 10 to 24 of October.  He kindly shared with us some of his impressions.

What has been your experience of this Synod?

It’s wonderful to be able to experience the Church in all of its diversity and the many different ways in which the faith is lived. Yet despite this diversity it is possible to discover the unity of our Near Eastern experience, especially in contrast with the Church of the West. Having taken part in various Synods, I’ve been struck that this one has a very specific character. It is the entire episcopate of the Near East that has gathered around the Pope and not just a number of delegates. Together they are focusing on the theme: “Communion and Witness”. This is Benedict XVI’s first initiative of this kind; nothing like this has ever occurred. And that is particularly significant in the context of the situation today in the Near East: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, war in Iraq, and the emigration of Near Eastern Christians.

On a crisp October afternoon, some three hundred people gathered outside the Emmanuel d'Alzon Library on the campus of Assumption College to dedicate a stunningly beautiful bronze statue of Emmanuel d'Alzon, the founder of the Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionists), the sponsors of the school. The long-awaited sculpture, a year in the making, was unveiled on Fall Homecoming and Family Weekend.

The dedication ceremony featured opening remarks by Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A., Regional Superior of the Assumptionists and Vice President for Mission, and Dr. Francesco Cesareo, president of the College.

On Monday, October 18^th,the National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC) in collaboration with the United States Region of the Assumptionists andAssumption College hosted a workshop "What is Happening in Catholic Fundraising Today" on the Campus of Assumption College in Worcester, MA. The attendees of the conference represented development directors and staffs of religious organizations such as schools, parishes, religious communities and charities.

On Monday, October 4^th, the National Catholic Educational Association honored eight individuals with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, which recognizes those who have made significant contributions to Catholic education through philanthropy, leadership and service.

Among this year’s recipients were Donald and Michele D’Amour of Somers, CT who are major supporters of public and private education in CT, MA and of Assumption College.