Are Catholics ready for synodality — is it too radical?

What has been launched is a journey — over two years — with the Synod of Bishops not scheduled to occur until 2023. The notion that we risk becoming museum pieces is confronting. As the impacts of the secularisation of society continues, we have had to accept the realities of reduced congregations, a decline in vocations, parish amalgamations and churches closing.

Nov 19, 2021


By Justin Stanwix

Are we Catholics really ready for the radical and transformative change that synodality unavoidably requires? Or is this question challenging but quite premature?

What has been launched is a journey — over two years — with the Synod of Bishops not scheduled to occur until 2023. The notion that we risk becoming museum pieces is confronting. As the impacts of the secularisation of society continues, we have had to accept the realities of reduced congregations, a decline in vocations, parish amalgamations and churches closing.

An ageing population raises potent questions about the future of many parishes and ensures doom for some. Every statistical collection shows that fewer and fewer people call themselves Catholic.

It took 60 years for the changes that Pope Pius X proposed in 1901 for active participation by the faithful in the liturgy to be enunciated by Vatican II (1962-65). Then another 60 years later, the Synod of Bishops’ assembly on synodality has been launched by Pope Francis for 2023.

The mustard seed sown by Lumen Gentium has risen boldly above the ground. The People of God were commandingly described in that Vatican II document. The Church was recognised as comprised of a pilgrim people, a sojourning people, on the road towards the “new heavens and the new earth” (Revelation 21:1). All the People of God participate “in the one priesthood of Christ” (LG 9). But to be fair, Pope Francis identified the need for change in 2014 when he recounted the story of a cardinal telling the Synod assembly of 2001 “what they should discuss and what they should not. That won’t happen now,” the Pope assured readers of the Argentine La Nation after his election. Seven years later, we are being asked to really listen, actively, with the ear of the heart.

Are we ready to consider a new form of governance and abandon a monarchical model of Church, shed some control over our ecclesial lives, to move beyond criticising clericalism to abandoning it, to forgo attachment to feudal values and treat people equally — listening to them and engaging with them?

The laity will likewise have to abandon lay clericalism. Perish the thought, but is it possible that religious and lay people may participate as equals and command a vote and participate in governance in some form, even on major issues?

What might true synodal change mean?
Given the deep and repeated Gospel message of love, of dealing with neighbour, of forgiveness, of service and service of servants, there is much room to ponder how we have fumbled governance, and become attached to ancient structures and forms that have not been adapted.

As Catholics, we are blessed to have the richest tapestry of saintly lives to inspire and guide us, to offer us example and nurture our prayer life. Yet there seems a glaring disconnect in the manner we at times conduct ourselves. Search for where Jesus taught us, at times, to be superior in our collective dealings, removed in our structural forms, aloof to community members, and reluctant to respond to the signs of the times. That might be possible if we can ignore the Beatitudes, the response to the request by James and John for priority status, the direction “not to lord it over anyone” (1 Peter 5:3), the charge to the 72 disciples (Luke 10:1-24), the gift of Eucharist, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Are these part of the Gospel values to which the faithful are calling for a return?

In truth, the Church is really not much different from the professions, or governments, or corporate life and everyday dealings. There are abundant examples of clericalist type behaviour, lack of transparency and rigid appeals to history, outworn precedent and poor behaviour equally represented in all those spheres. Not to mention the lack of proper recognition of women and their unequal inclusion. As a global collection, we are good at community. We have been from the earliest days of the Church. We have wonderful communities of every shape and size and have many great leaders. Pope Francis is a standout. But we also have a rigid attachment to a seemingly immutable pyramid. Despite Vatican II explaining the corrected nature of this symbol — with laity being served at the top — we adhere to old ways.

What if on the journey we are now taking, along with the Spirit, we started to act out the qualities of real community, of task sharing in the context of equality, interpersonal responsiveness, open dealings with each other and sharing of ideas with honesty and mutual trust.

We could, with renewed vigour, embrace the Eucharist as the font and summit of the Church’s life where we all think of ourselves and act as a community, coming together to celebrate the ultimate redemptive act of Calvary, receive the sacred body and blood of Christ in community and truly appreciate that we are thereby chartered to go out as community to carry His Word into the world, secularised or however we find it.

We know we can no longer confine ourselves inside the walls of our beloved churches. The market square demands our presence. Because we are community we can adapt to the variety of demands and expressions that are demanded, as challenging as it may be. No doubt this will impact how we present, how we attire, how we behave, the options we select, the places we go and, importantly, the age profile we target. Then as we continue the journey, the sense of genuine community must flow around the new circle and embrace everyone.

The unique position of bishops and their role as Shepherds of the People of God must be recognised, by them and by us, as all participate together in communion and mission – openly and productively.

Right or wrong question?
What has been launched is a journey, a prayerful path of communication, mission and participation. We are all asked to join. And the process is not being left to chance. Pope Francis has established a global communications network including everyone.

It is time to refine aspects of the old pyramid symbol — both upright and inverted. Because if our journey is ultimately to encounter a different Church, we need a different structure and a baptismal approach to participation that fully recognises and builds on the charisms that were conferred on us all. In that different Church, governance and leadership will remain key components. It will be more like a global labyrinth with a few bumps and multiple entry points. Surely some will find the path rocky and the destination uncertain. It is meant to be. A known stretch would be a denial of the essence of the journey.

Pre-eminently we need the light of the Spirit. And we must be open to a push from “the coach” occasionally. We have much to listen to, to discuss and pray about. How else can it be different? The invitation reads clearly — WE ARE ALL INVITED. --LCI (https:// international.la-croix. com/

-- Justin Stanwix is a deacon at St Mary Star of the Sea Parish, Milton in the Diocese of Wollongong (Australia).

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