The annual Synod of the Waldensian Church (Union of the Methodist and Waldensian Churches in Italy) was held in Torre Pellice (Turin) from August 24 to 29. Opening worship service was presided over by Pastor Paolo Ribet of the Waldensian Church in Pinerolo (Turin). During this service the consacration took place of three women candidates to the ministry: Giuseppina Bagnato, Joylin Galapon and Caterina Griffante, three women of different backgrounds and ages, an expression of the ever increasing diversity in the pastoral body of the Methodist and Waldensian Churches in Italy. Pastor Ribet preaching on the passage from the Book of Deuteronomy that is the daily prayer of all Jews: "Hear, o Israel..." (Deut. 6:4), exhorted the community of representatives of the churches in Italy and the ecumenical guests to listen to the cries of the oppressed, the suffering, of the society in which the church is called to give its witness to the Gospel, and to listen to the Lord for guidance in this commitment.

After worship service the Synod gathered to elect the Chair that directed the agenda for the next five days, with Alessandra Trotta, Director of the Diaconal Center La Noce of Palermo, as President and Adriano Bertolini of the Waldensian Church of Sampierdarena (Genoa) as Vice-president. After the reading of the report of the examining commission (a commission that works for two months before the Synod examining the various activity of the Tavola Valdese and the churches throughout Italy, noting problem areas and suggesting decisions that the Synod should make as it looks toward the future life of the church) the Synod began debating on the life of the church, in particular on the relationship between the local churches and their ministers, or lack of one. Some churches have greater difficulty in finding pastors ready and willing to serve them because of their geographic location or their importance. According to Waldensian church order, larger churches (called autonomous), have the right to call their own ministers when it is time for a change, inviting eligible candidates to apply. The smaller churches must wait on the Tavola Valdese, the executive board of the Church, for assignments. The Tavola must often wait on the decisions of the autonomous churches before finding candidates for the smaller churches, and then often finding great difficulty in finding willing candidates for some churches. The Synod urged pastors and churches to show a greater concern for the needs of the whole church and assure that no church should be discriminated against or be without pastoral care for long periods.

The debate on church and society covered many of the great concerns of the church today regarding commitment in diaconal services, immigration, ethics and communication, among others. The local churches were urged to be attentive to the needs of the poor and the outcast, not only offering material aid, but becoming welcoming communities ready to offer shelter to refugees. The possibility of creating sanctuaries for exiles, for example, was in great consideration. In the present situation in Italy where many ethnic and religious groups are being discriminated against, the churches were urged to proclaim the Gospel message of solidarity and equality, defending the constitutional and human rights of all people, be they Italian citizens or not.

A round table discussion was held the second evening of the Synod on the theme "The space for Protestantism – if it exists - in Italian society" with the participation of Alberto Melloni, Catholic historian, Giulio Giorello, philosopher of science, Gabriella Caramore, author and conductor of the radio program "Men and Prophets", and Prof. emeritus Paolo Ricca of the Waldensian Faculty of Theology. Pastor Maria Bonafede, Moderator of the Tavola Valdese, also intervened saying: "We do not think of a space for Protestantism for upholding privileges for our churches, but as a space for a tradition, a theology and an ethic that we think can enrich Italian society, in which we fell deeply committed both as Christians and as citizens". Paolo Naso, moderator of the meeting, said that the title was meant to be provocative to indicate a problem, because in a lay and pluralistic State this space should be obvious and large both for Protestantism, for all the other faith communities and the other cultural traditions." "It cannot be denied that Italy is going through an 'ecumenical winter' - affirmed Melloni - in which the relationships between the Christian churches are made more difficult. But the real problem is that in a country with a Christian tradition like Italy, the deep and committed meaning of being Christian appears more vague, uncertain: this is the problem and in this situation an important space opens for Protestantism." Caramore stated that "the proclamation of the Gospel in the Protestant tradition constitutes a precious and essential resource in Italy", while Giorello added: "We live in a country that is far from God but very close to the Vatican, and this paradox is the cause of the difficulty in having a State based on lay principles. The space for Protestantism is in its ability to promote a dialogue between faith and science, refusing the sectarian and anti-scientific fundamentalistapproach". Prof. Ricca concluded that the space for Protestantism is "nothing more or less that the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and this is what we must say to our lay friends with whom we have shared many battles, and to our Catholic brothers and sisters with whom, notwithstanding differences and difficulties, we feel committed in a common ecumenical purpose". This round table summarized many of the sentiments that were expressed throughout the work of the Synod.

The upcoming 500th anniversary of the birth of Calvin in 2009 will be an important occasion for reaffirming the Reformed Protestant identity of the Methodist and Waldensian Churches and an opportunity to explain in cultural and religious meetings and conventions planned for the year the heritage and significance of what it means to be Calvinist. The Synod examined the projects that are being elaborated, inviting the churches to support them and deepen their knowledge of Calvin during this 500th anniversary year.

The Synod examined the administrative activities of the executive bodies: the financial situation, the status of church property, as is the duty of every Synod. Of particular interest however is the examination of the use of the "8/1000 funds", over 5 million euro given to cultural and humanitarian projects in Italy and throughout the world. This examination and the approval of the work of the Committee makes up part of the transparency with which the church operates in using these funds, without a cent being given for purposes of worship .

The Synod closed with the election of the Tavola Valdese and the Methodist Board as well as the Council of the Waldensian Faculty of Theology and the Diaconal Committee. Pastor Maria Bonafede was confirmed Moderator of the Tavola Valdese, Pastor Massimo Aquilante as President of the Methodist Board, Prof. Daniele Garrone as Rector of the Faculty of Theology and Marco Armand Hugon as President of the Diaconal Committee. Two new members, Adriano Bertolini and Ruggero Mica, replaced Franca Barlera and Paolo Landi in the Tavola Valdese.

From press service NEV - Notizie evangeliche, 31 August 2008