The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops presents the basic text and the “vademecum” (or manual) to guide the Synod’s journey on Synodality.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
To listen without prejudice; speaking with courage and parrhesia; dialogant with the Church, with society, and with other Christian denominations.
The General Secretariat of the Synod has published the document Preparatory document, along with a Vademecum (or manual) to indicate the guiding principles that will guide the path of the Synod towards Synodality. The solemn opening of the Synod will take place in Rome from October 9 to 10, and in private churches on October 17; and will conclude at the Vatican in 2023 with the assembly of bishops from around the world.
The preparatory document, published on Tuesday, aims above all to be an instrument that facilitates the first phase of listening and consulting the people of God in private churches, which will take place from October 2021 to April 2022.
Press conference for the presentation of the preparatory document
Travel together
“In other words,” as the document says, “it constitutes a kind of construction site or pilot experience that allows us to immediately begin to reap the fruits of the dynamics that progressive synodal conversion introduces into the Christian community.”
The text opens with a fundamental question:
“How does this ‘journey together,’ which takes place today at different levels (from the local to the universal level), allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to her; and what steps does the Spirit invite us to take to grow as a synodal Church? “
The stages of the synodal journey
Steps towards synodality
To answer this question, the Secretariat of the Synod points out some specific steps. First of all, it is necessary to live “a participatory and inclusive ecclesial process that offers everyone — especially those who for various reasons are on the sidelines — the opportunity to express themselves and to be heard”; and then to recognize and appreciate “the richness and variety of gifts and charisms that the Spirit liberally bestows … for the benefit of the whole human family.”
In addition, it is necessary to examine “how responsibility and power are lived in the Church, as well as the structures through which they are managed, bringing to light and trying to turn distorted prejudices and practices that are not rooted in the Gospel.”
The document invites us to see how the Christian community can be accredited “as a credible subject and reliable partner in paths of social dialogue, healing, reconciliation, inclusion and participation, the reconstruction of democracy, the promotion of fraternity and friendship. social “; as well as how we can regenerate relations between Christians, with representatives of other Christian denominations and with other social groups, with civil society organizations and with popular movements.
These concrete steps will be taken “within a historical context marked by epoch-making changes in society,” beginning with the “global tragedy” of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to pre-existing inequalities and injustices “exploding.” “. At the same time, the document acknowledges that the synodal process is taking place in which “the Church itself must face lack of faith and corruption even in itself,” emphasizing that we can not forget the suffering experienced by minors and vulnerable people ”. due to sexual abuse, abuse of power and abuse of conscience ”committed by clergy.
However, “it is precisely in the grooves dug by suffering of all kinds,” the document continues, that “new languages of faith” and “new paths” are flourishing to re-found “the path of Christian and ecclesial life.” ”These are opportunities to offer ample space for the renewed participation and recognition of the laity, and especially of women and young people, as called for by recent synods.
Active evangelists
As for the laity, the document reiterates that all the baptized “participate actively in evangelization”; Therefore, it is essential that on the synodal path, pastors “be not afraid to listen to the flock entrusted to them.”
In a synodal Church, he insists, quoting Pope Francis, everyone – “the faithful, the bishops and even the bishop of Rome himself” – has something to learn, “all listening to each other and listening to all “Spirit of Truth” “This includes a call to deepen our relationship with other Christian communities.” A Synodal Church, “he says,” is a prophetic sign, especially for a community of nations unable to propose a shared project. , through which to pursue the good of all “.
More specifically, the preparatory text proposes a series of questions to guide the consultation with the People of God, starting with the fundamental question:
“How is it like today ‘traveling together’ to your particular Church?”
We must therefore ask ourselves what experiences in the diocese itself remind us of this question: “What joys did they provoke? What difficulties and obstacles have been encountered? What wounds have they revealed? … What are the prospects for change and the steps to follow? “
Levels of synodality
The document goes on to explain three levels of synodality: “the level of the style with which the Church lives and works ordinarily … the level of ecclesial structures and processes … [and] the level of synodal processes and events in which the Church is convened by the competent authority ”. These three levels of articulation of the synodality are different, but “they must be kept together in a coherent way; otherwise, a counter-testimony is transmitted and the credibility of the Church is undermined ”.
In this evaluation of experiences, the internal relations between the faithful, pastors, parishes and communities must also be taken into account in the private church; but also among the bishops (among themselves and with the Pope), and with the intermediate bodies.
The integration of various forms of religious and consecrated life must also be considered; of associations and movements; and from various institutions, such as schools, hospitals, universities, foundations, and charities. Beyond internal relations, it is important to take into account external relations and possible joint initiatives, with other religions, with those who are far from any faith and with the various fields of politics, culture, finance, work, unions and minorities.
Facets of lived synodality
Finally, the preparatory document indicates ten “thematic nuclei” that “articulate different facets of” lived synodality. ” These basic areas need to be explored in more depth to contribute in a richer way to the first phase of the consultation:
* Travel companions: that is, to reflect on what we define as “our Church” and on our “companions,” especially among the marginalized or those who are beyond ecclesiastical boundaries;
* To listen: to consecrated young people, women, men and women and to those who are discarded or excluded;
* Speaking: considering whether to promote “a free and authentic style of communication, without duplicity or opportunism”, within the community of the Church and its institutions;
* Celebrant: think about how prayer and liturgy effectively inspire and guide our “walking together” and how the active participation of the faithful can be promoted;
* Co-responsible for the mission: reflect on how the community supports members engaged in the service, such as the promotion of social justice, human rights, or the preservation of our common home;
* Dialogue in the Church and in society: rethinking places and means of dialogue in private churches, with neighboring dioceses, with religious communities and the movement, with various institutions, with non-believers, with the poor;
* With the other Christian denominations: What relationships do we have with our brothers and sisters of other Christian denominations? What areas are involved and what are the fruits and challenges of our relationships?
* Authority and participation: how authority is exercised in our particular Church, what is the experience of teamwork; how are secular ministries promoted?
* Discern and decide: ask what procedures and methods are used to make decisions; how the decision-making process is articulated with decision-making; what tools are promoted for transparency and accountability;
* Forming ourselves in synodality: in essence, look at the training offered to those in positions of responsibility in the Christian community, to help them be more able to listen and dialogue.
The Secretariat of the Synod asks each diocese to condense the fruit of its reflections into a maximum of ten pages, complementing them, if necessary, with other supporting texts. The goal, he insists, “is not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, prophecies, and hopes.”
For more information on the 2023 Synod on Synodality, we invite you to visit the official website of the Synod.