An Encyclical on the Bible?

"It would be opportune for the synod to question itself on the appropriateness of a possible encyclical on the interpretation of Scripture in the Church."

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Just a few minutes after the synod on the word of God got underway today, a proposal surfaced: that Benedict XVI write an encyclical on the interpretation of Scripture.

The request was presented by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec, in the first general conference of the assembly. The Pope presided over the conference, which was attended by 244 synod fathers.

After some brief remarks from the Pontiff and then from Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Ouellet, relator-general of the synod, read out the "relatio ante disceptationem" (report before the discussion).

The cardinal noted that theology faculties and exegetes sometimes do not coincide with the magisterium's vision of the Bible.

In this scenario, he said, there is "an excessive variance of interpretations. [...] The internal connection of exegesis with the faith is no longer unanimous and the tensions increase among exegetes, pastors and theologians."

"Certainly historical-critical exegesis is considered more and more with other methods, some of which are in accord with tradition and the history of exegesis," Cardinal Ouellet added. "But in general, after many decades of concentration on the human mediation in Scripture, shouldn't we rediscover the divine depth of the inspired text without losing sight of the valuable acquisitions of the new methodologies?"

The cardinal's proposal focused on interpreting Scripture not as something merely academic, since the word of God penetrates every dimension of the person.

At the same time, as the Quebec archbishop himself explained to the press afterward, a relationship between exegetes and theologians with bishops needs to be created -- a relationship that rises above tensions to get to communion, clearly respecting the contributions proper to each party.

An example of such a communion, he said, which respects separate roles but without losing sight of Love as the foundation of the word, is the effort being made by the lay Focolare movement.

"It would be opportune for the synod to question itself on the appropriateness of a possible encyclical on the interpretation of Scripture in the Church," he affirmed.

The cardinal noted to the journalists that there is already a document from the Pontifical Biblical Commission, but said something from the Pope would carry more weight.