For last week's Catholic Register, I interviewed Archbishop Terrence Prendergast and Bishop Ronald Fabbro about their respective synod presentations. Here is where their recommendations found form among the 55 approved by the synod fathers (and now on Pope Benedict's desk for consideration). Proposition 29 The intervention by the Archbishop of Ottawa is well represented here. Echoing the Archbishop's concerns, the unofficial translation reads, "Sometimes there may be difficulties in reading the Old Testament because of texts containing elements of violence, injustice [and] immorality." The proposition recommends "adequate preparation of the faithful to read these pages and training to read the texts in their historical and literary context." Further, the bishops warn against the temptation by some Catholics to simply neglect reading the Hebrew Scriptures. Propositions 14 and 18 The London Bishop's presentation was a plea for deep listening to the Word of God, rather than the going-through-the-motions formalism that "cripples" the faithful. His point is affirmed in proposition 18 when the synod acknowledges that effective listening is difficult "in the midst of the uproar" of modern society. As a solution, the Bishops propose that the faithful should "cultivate a provision for interior silence." Proposition 14 adds some very practical considerations to improve listening during the liturgy. Among them, the synod issues a reminder for silent pauses after the first and second reading, adequate training for readers, provision for the blind and deaf, and consideration for acoustic equipment. Numerous propositions also referenced the promotion of lectio divina, which involves prayerfully reading and listening to the Word. Tomorrow, we'll consider the contributions of the two other delegates of the Canadian episcopal conference, Bishop Luc Bouchard of Saint Paul, Alberta and Bishop Raymond St-Gelais of Nicolet, Quebec.