You may have read in the Catholic Press that this month, Pope Francis will launch a process that has the potential to reshape the Church in ways not seen since the Second Vatican Council.
The global synod “for a synodal Church” begins in Rome on Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 October, and then, a week later, is scheduled to begin in every diocese across the world. The diocesan phase of the process will run until next April, and will focus on listening to and consulting the people of God.
Christopher Lamb of the Tablet tells us that ‘Not every bishop across the world is eagerly embracing this opportunity for renewal. Some local churches are enthusiastically embarking on the synodal pathway, but many have been lukewarm or apathetic. Some church leaders appear to be ignoring the process or taking the view that it doesn’t concern them.’
The document published by the Vatican lays out the process for the Synod of Bishops I encourage you to read this important (links below), where the Pope has asked the bishops of the Church to listen to all the baptised faithful, rich and poor alike.
So who can participate?
We see throughout the Gospels how Jesus reaches out to all. He does not only save people individually but as a people that he gathers together, as the one Shepherd of the entire flock (cf. John 10:16). The ministry of Jesus shows us that no one is excluded from God’s plan of salvation.
Dioceses are called to keep in mind that the main subjects of this synodal experience are all the baptised. Special care should be taken to involve those persons who may risk being excluded: women, the handicapped, refugees, migrants, the elderly, people who live in poverty, Catholics who rarely or never practice their faith, etc. Creative means should also be found in order to involve children and youth.
Together, all the baptised are the subject of the sensus fidelium, the living voice of the People of God. At the same time, in order to participate fully in the act of discerning, it is important for the baptised to hear the voices of other people in their local context, including people who have left the practice of the faith, people of other faith traditions, people of no religious belief, etc.
For this reason, while all the baptized are specifically called to take part in the Synodal Process, no one – no matter their religious affiliation – should be excluded from sharing their perspective and experiences, insofar as they want to help the Church on her synodal journey of seeking what is good and true. This is especially true of those who are most vulnerable or marginalized.
The clergy are likewise heralds of renewal, attentive to the evolving needs of their flock, and pointing out how the Holy Spirit is opening new pathways. Finally, they are men of prayer who promote a genuinely spiritual experience of synodality, so that the People of God can be more attentive to the Holy Spirit and listen together to the will of God.
We are yet to be informed by Archbishop George what participation is to take place in this Archdiocese in regards to the Synodal Process. However as your parish priest I encourage you to participate fully in this call of the Holy Father to enable the church ‘to listen, as the entire People of God, to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church’
I promise you that I will also answer the Pope’s call to me as a priest to be a herald of renewal and attentive your needs, and highlight how the Holy Spirit is opening new pathways. Let us pray for each other as we journey together in this Synodal Process:
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles and Mother of the Church, intercede for us as we journey together on the path that God sets before us. As in the Upper Room at Pentecost, may her maternal care and intercession accompany us as we build up our communion with one another and carry out our mission in the world. With her, we say together as the People of God: “Let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Links:
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/09/07/0541/01166.html#Whocan