VATICAN - Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: Cardinal Pell appointed President Delegate, Archbishop Pasinya appointed Special Secretary

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father appointed Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, as President Delegate of the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in the Vatican October 5-26, on the theme “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.” Cardinal Pell substitutes Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, India, who is unable to attend the gathering. This past August 23, the Holy Father named Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Special Secretary of the Synod, substituting Bishop Wilhelm Emil Egger, who died suddenly on August 16. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2008)