MICHAEL J. MILLA (ED.) CHRIST’S NEW HOMELAND -AFRICA: CONTRIBUTION TO THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY BY AFRICAN PASTORS, IGNATIUS PRESS, SAN FRANCESCO, USA. 2015.184PP.

Abstract

Christ’s New Homeland – Africa: Contributions to the Synod on the Family by African Pastors is a collection of ten different essays by ten African prelates on questions or issues concerning marriage and family life, which were the major focus of both the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops held in Rome in 2014 and the XIV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops held a year later (2015). This valuable piece of work nestles between these two Synods, which explains its dual character and function. On one hand, it takes a look at the outcome of the earlier Synod—the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops—and at the same time focuses its attention on the subsequent synod that was to take place. Much of the first gaze is concentrated on the Relatio synodi which was largely represented as the Lineamenta for the next synod assembly. The other gaze focuses on some specific pastoral concerns of the church in Africa which the authors hoped would receive some attention during the upcoming synod. Taking into cognizance this two-directional gaze of this book, it becomes much easier to understand and appreciate the differences in the tone, tenor, language and approach that one finds in this book.