The Final Report: “For a Synodal Church”

The Meaning and Dimensions of Synodality

Synodality is not something new. It continues the Church’s ancient practice of gathering to discern God’s will and move forward. I’m going to quote directly from the Report for some particularly important insights and definitions on synodality contained in the report, and then reflect upon them. Once again, the numbers included refer to the paragraphs in the Report if you would like more context.

“Oriented toward mission, synodality involves gathering at all levels of the Church for mutual listening, dialogue and community discernment.” ⁽²⁸⁾

“Synodality is the walking together of all Christians with Christ, towards God’s Kingdom, in union with all humanity.” ⁽²⁸⁾

“In simple and concise terms, synodality is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ. ⁽²⁸⁾

The way I have come to understand this is that . . . we, the People of God, a pilgrim people here on Earth, are on a journey toward the Kingdom of God. We do not journey alone, but in the company of all humanity. Synodality is the process by which all the baptized - men and women, clergy and lay people - gather together to listen to each other and the Holy Spirit, to discern the best ways to carry out our mission going forward - to preach and live the Gospel in our times and locations.

But Synodality is much more than a path we follow.

Synodality is a “style” - a way of operating - the ordinary way the Church lives and works. We are the People of God, journeying together, gathering in assembly, summoned by the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. Listening and celebrating, we are all brothers and sisters called to participation and co-responsibility in the Church’s life and mission. ⁽³⁰⁾

Synodality is a “structure” - through which the Church discovers the way to move forward by listening to the Holy Spirit. At times, synodality is the way the Church is called together to discern particular questions and take particular directions with the aim of fulfilling its evangelizing mission. In this form, synodality involves the whole People of God, presided over by the Bishops in communion with the Pope. ⁽³⁰⁾

Synodality is a “framework for authority within the Church” - it places pastors - as heads, shepherds, and servants - at the service of the Church to safeguard the deposit of the faith and promote its unity. Synodality invites the whole Church, including those who exercise authority, to conversion and reform. ⁽³³⁾

Synodality is a “response” - a call to renewal, and a source of new energy. The synodal process enabled us to acknowledge two specific sources of sadness within the Church: (1) lack of participation and (2) widespread difficulty in living flourishing relationships - between men and women, between different generations, and between individuals and groups with diverse cultural identities and social conditions, especially the poor and excluded. But that's not where the process and the Spirit left us. The Holy Spirit constantly calls forth from the People of God a great variety of charisms and ministries, along with the desire to expand possibilities for participation and the exercise of co-responsibility. ⁽³⁶⁾

Synodality is a “spirituality” - As a spirituality, synodality flows from the action of the Holy Spirit and requires listening to the Word of God, contemplation, silence, and conversion of heart. In the words of Pope Francis, “the Holy Spirit is a sure guide and … our first task is to learn how to discern his voice, since he speaks through everyone and is in all things.” Synodality requires asceticism, humility, patience, and a willingness to forgive and be forgiven. It welcomes with gratitude and humility the variety of gifts and tasks distributed by the Holy Spirit for the service of the one Lord. It does so without ambition, envy, or the desire for control. ⁽⁴³⁾

Synodality is lived out in unity, not uniformity - The Church has always been composed of a plurality of peoples and languages, of vocations, charisms and ministries at the service of the common good, as well as of local Churches. In turn, local Churches have always possessed their own rites and disciplines as well as their own distinctive theological and spiritual heritage. Christ is the Cornerstone, the Holy Spirit the Harmonizer, bringing about unity in diversity. Synodality, rather than a source of division and uncertainty, is a sign of the Church’s unity, its Catholicity. ⁽³⁸⁾

Synodality is not an end in itself - rather it serves the essential mission of the Church, her deepest identity - to preach the Gospel and live it. “By appreciating all charisms and ministries, synodality enables the People of God to proclaim and witness to the Gospel to women and men of every place and time, making itself a ‘visible sacrament’ (a sign of God’s grace) of the fellowship and unity in Christ willed by God.” ⁽³²⁾ AMEN!!!

Next week we will take on the next two sections of the Report: the “Conversion of Relationships” (aka listening) and the “Conversion of Processes” (aka decision-making and accountability.) Stay Tuned.