Diocesan Synod Nivariense (in Spanish: ''Sínodo Diocesano Nivariense'', in

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

: ''Synodus Dioecesani Nivariensis'') was an important meeting of the clergy and

laity In religious organizations, the laity () consists of all members who are not part of the clergy, usually including any non-ordained members of religious orders, e.g. a nun or a lay brother. In both religious and wider secular usage, a layperson ...

of the

Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna ( la, Sancti Christophori de Laguna), also called Diocese of Tenerife or Diocese Nivariense, is a diocese located in the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna in the Canary Islands in the E ...

(

Canary Islands The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...

, Spain). It was the first diocesan synod in the history of this diocese created in 1819 by

Pope Pius VII Pope Pius VII ( it, Pio VII; born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti; 14 August 1742 – 20 August 1823), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 14 March 1800 to his death in August 1823. Chiaramonti was also a m ...

and also called ''Diocese of Tenerife'' or ''Diocese Nivariense'', hence the name of the

synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word ''wikt:synod, synod'' comes from the meaning "assembly" or "meeting" and is analogous with the Latin ...

History

Call

On 15 August 1995, feast of the Virgin of Candelaria (Patron of Canary Islands), the then Bishop of the Diocese

Felipe Fernández García Felipe Fernández García (30 August 1935 – 6 April 2012) was the Roman Catholic eleventh bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and bishop Ávila, Spain. It was the eleventh bishop of San Cristóbal de La Laguna ...

officially announces the convening of the first diocesan synod in the history of the diocese, being welcomed with great ovation from the faithful gathered in the square of the Basilica of Candelaria.

Preparation

On 14 September of that year, the feast of

Cristo de La Laguna The Cristo de La Laguna (''Christ of La Laguna'' in English) is a Catholic figure of great historical, artistic and cultural image that represents the crucified Jesus of Nazareth. Situated in the Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de La Lagu ...

, the pastoral letter was published. Promote Synod consult widely on the topics and prepare the Statute of the Synod: That day the ante-Commission, composed of 40 persons who are charged with is created. The theme chosen was: ''Renewal, communion and mission''. During this time the diocesan surveys were also conducted. On 17 June 1996 the Council Presidency and early July the bishop decided the ten general themes that would form the basis of study to prepare the synod is constituted.

Opening and development of the synod

The synod was officially opened on 31 May 1998 (Feast of

Pentecost Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun) is a Christianity, Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the Ne ...

) in

La Laguna Cathedral The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna or ( in Spanish) is a Roman Catholic church in Tenerife, Spain. Begun in 1904 and completed in 1915, it is dedicated to the Virgin of Los Remedios (patron of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristób ...

. Last night was held at the Church of La Concepción de La Laguna a prayer vigil led by Bishop Emeritus Damián Iguacen Borau and Bishop Felipe Fernández own. From that moment, the synod assembly over several months rushing eight intense sessions. The main objectives discussed were: The proper reception of

Second Vatican Council The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the , or , was the 21st Catholic ecumenical councils, ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. The council met in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for four periods (or sessions) ...

a comprehensive and systematic way, entry into the third millennium of the birth of Christ with a spiritual renewal of the diocese, held for the first time since the erection of the diocese one diocesan synod and respond adequately to the profound social, political and cultural changes affecting religious life response. Besides other issues, such as family, diocesan structures and church and youth were treated. Since it was an synod of diocesan level, it participated priests and laity from all the islands that make up the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, i.e. the islands of

Tenerife Tenerife (; ; formerly spelled ''Teneriffe'') is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands. It is home to 43% of the total population of the archipelago. With a land area of and a population of 978,100 inhabitants as of Janu ...

, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

Synod Constitutions

On 2 February 1999, feast of the Virgin of Candelaria, Bishop Felipe Fernández García signed the 846 Synod Constitutions in the Basilica of Candelaria.

Closing

On 8 December 1999 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) was closed Nivariense the first diocesan synod in the La Laguna Cathedral. That morning takes place a day with morning prayer in different temples in the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna: Church of the Immaculate Conception, Parish of San Juan Bautista, the Parish of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and Convento de Santa Clara de Asis. A solemn procession from the Plaza del Adelantado to the cathedral, presided over by the bishop of the diocese Felipe Fernández García, Bishop Emeritus Damián Iguacen Borau and the Archbishop of Zaragoza and president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference Elías Yanes Álvarez is performed. After this solemn closing ceremony of the synod was held, after which Bishop Felipe Fernández read the decree closing and a blessing from

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...

. Currently, this synod is considered one of the most important historical events in the history of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and history of the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

in the Canary Islands.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official Website of Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna

20th-century Catholic Church councils Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna Catholic Church in the Canary Islands