IV. Communities that are open, welcoming and fraternal

Introduction

" I give you a new commandment: love one another, just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples." (Jn. 13:35)

The Church is a fraternity. Following the example of the first Christian communities, today's Church strives to build communities according to the Gospel. Fraternal and welcoming communities are not unaware of differences and do not pretend to ignore them. They seek to remove the obstacles to communion. In a Church of communion, all Christians are recognized as equal disciples of Jesus Christ, as sons and daughters of the same Father-God. They are fully involved in the life of this Church and are artisans of its future.

Everyone - children, youth, and adults, must feel at home in the large family of the baptized. In the Church of Jesus Christ, there is a place for everyone. No one should consider himself or herself excluded, a stranger, or marginalized. In a very special way, the sick and the elderly are respected and loved members of the community. The former, by their sufferings, and the latter, by their wisdom and their rich experiences, contribute to the life and renewal of the Church.

More than a hundred and sixty proposals from the synodal teams insisted on the dimension of welcome as a characteristic trait of their Church. This shows the importance they accord it.

Thus, the criteria for belonging to the Church community must be explicitly seen in the unconditional welcoming of the other person in the name of Jesus Christ, while recalling the faith dimension that is implied in every gathering in the name of Jesus Christ.

The recommendations accepted by the Synodal Assembly show the need for individuals and groups, not only to feel, but also to be, an integral part of the community.