Church Renewal: Welcome to the Synodal Way!
When was the last time that you felt heard? I think that we assume that we listen well, but I’ve found that listening can take a lot of effort. It’s so important to consider what another person says. Right now, gathered at the Vatican, are 460 bishops, priests, religious, and 70 non-ordained lay people (half are women!) who can vote at the unprecedented summit. This has never happened before in the history of the Church!
What is their task? At this Synod of Bishops, part of the Synod on Synodality initiated by Pope Francis in 2021, the People of God are present to listen and to speak boldly. They are called to listen to the Holy Spirit and one another as they address concerns of the global Catholic Church. At the parish level in dioceses around the world, everyone was invited to participate (500,000 people in the U.S. participated in these sessions in 2021) in groups that evoked a conversation in the Spirit. What is that, exactly? It involves deep listening of one another and allowing the Spirit to lead the conversation. Synodal means “walking together.” It has a long history in the Church, including during the Second Vatican Council (1961-1965), and Pope Francis is fully embracing it.
In one sense, Pope Francis has seen the deep and troubling polarizations that exist in politics and in faith communities throughout the world. The Synodal Way is an attempt to address these polarizations while still acknowledging the disagreements and conflicts that exist. In other words, it is a way to hold space for the tensions that divide the People of God. The goal is a unity of purpose and harmony even in our diversity.
The primary way that Synodality is addressing these tensions is through prayer (silent prayer that promotes listening to the Spirit) and deep listening of one another. Sitting at round tables, participants take turns sharing responses to questions, one by one. Then there is a period of silent prayer followed by a second round of sharing what arises in peoples’ hearts based on what they just heard. Silent prayer again bridges the group into a third round, still diving deeper into the issue.
Will this renewal of the Church and new way of being Church remain long after the Synod on Synodality? The hope is that, yes, communal discernment and a co-responsibility for the Church among the ordained and lay members will continue. In my mind, this Synodal Way is a brilliant approach to a Church that wishes to return to Jesus’ model of servant leadership and call to discipleship. Who knows where this will lead? Will hierarchical models of leadership be reshaped into servant leadership and co-responsibility among the ordained and lay people? Will women’s roles include the diaconate? Will marginal groups in the Church be welcomed in ways never seen? I am filled with hope as the Church discerns its future.
Please join me in praying this prayer that the Synod of Bishop attendees pray before each session.
Prayer for the Synod on Synodality (from “Give Us This Day” October 2023 issue)
We stand before you, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
And what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen
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For daily coverage of the Synod of Bishops, I recommend www.ncronline.org and www.americamagazine.org and the podcast, “Inside the Vatican”, with Vatican Correspondent, Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle.
