Editor’s Note

Nov 03, 2023

By Patricia Pereira
As the final curtain descended on the inaugural session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, it dawned upon us that an exceptional moment had unfolded in the life of the Catholic Church. This was further accentuated with a resounding message delivered to the “People of God.”

This message underscores the imperative for the Catholic Church to persevere in its journey of discernment, with an unwavering commitment to listen to every voice, especially those that have long been marginalised and overlooked.
Crafted in the form of a thoughtful and heartfelt letter, this message was published on October 25, offering a recount of the proceedings and the spirit of the Synod’s first session, which convened at the Vatican from Oct 4 to 29. The letter also cast a hopeful glance towards the forthcoming phase of the Synod, eagerly anticipating active participation from all quarters in the synodal dynamism of missionary communion in the lead-up to October 2024.

A central theme of this letter shines through with clarity — the Synod’s purpose is not rooted in ideology but firmly entrenched in the apostolic tradition. In unison, the members of the assembly underscored the need to genuinely listen to all voices, commencing with those who reside on the fringes of society, to continue the discernment process. It serves as a call to recognise and honour those whose voices have been stifled, or who have felt alienated, even within the ecclesiastical confines.

In the spirit of this commitment to inclusivity, the letter explicitly highlights the importance of lending an ear to victims of racism, with special emphasis on Indigenous communities. It acknowledges the Church's solemn responsibility to hear the voices of those who have endured abuse at the hands of certain members of the ecclesial body. The assembly goes further to implore the Church to institute concrete and structural measures that will prevent such grievous offenses from ever happening again.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the letter is its emphasis on the imperative of engaging with a diverse range of voices within the faithful community, including the laity, catechists, children, the elderly, families, and individuals who seek involvement in lay ministries and aspire to contribute to the discernment and decision-making processes within the Church. The call extends to the gathering of experiences and testimonies from priests, bishops, and consecrated individuals, while also remaining open to those who may not share the same faith but are sincerely seeking the truth.

The missive begins by acknowledging the unique character of the Synod’s proceedings, where both men and women actively participated in discussions and exercised voting rights based on their Baptism, rather than their ordination. This transformative event unfolded against the backdrop of a world in turmoil, marked by deep wounds and stark inequalities, which deeply resonated with the Synod’s members, particularly those hailing from war-torn nations.

Additionally, the letter applauds Pope Francis’ call for silence, an invitation aimed at fostering mutual listening and a shared desire for communion in the Spirit. It is trust, the assembly asserts, that grants them the audacity and inner freedom to openly and humbly express their convergences, differences, desires, and questions.

In their collective experience, the participants at the Synod felt an increasing urgency for pastoral and missionary conversion. They underlined that the Church’s purpose is to proclaim the Gospel by positioning itself in service to the boundless love that God has for the world, rather than focusing solely on its own concerns.

The letter also shares a poignant anecdote: the assembly took the time to ask homeless individuals near St Peter’s Square about their expectations for the Church during the Synod, to which they replied with a simple yet profound word — “Love!”

When asked for his comments on the letter, Cardinal Sebastian Francis gave a powerful dimension to this discourse, asserting, “When the Synod is faithful to the entire process, the Synod and Universal Church are faithful to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will never fail the Church, the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit will not only guide but lead the Synod. ‘Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).”

The cardinal’s words echo the collective sentiment of the Synod, emphasising the significance of being led by the Holy Spirit on this sacred journey of discernment.

To read the letter in full, go to: https://bit.ly/3QzUUec