US Bishops ask for a Synodality Study Group

Sounds like progress, right?

Turns out implementing the Synod on Synodality is fairly far down the list of “Things to Do” for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

It’s hard to believe that the Synod on Synodality closed just over three weeks ago.  It feels like a lifetime has passed since then.  

The US Bishops probably feel the same way.  Hard on the heels of the final Synod meetings and then the US elections, the bishops gathered in Baltimore from November 11- 14 for their annual fall meeting.  

With all that is going on in the US right now, it would be understandable if the Synod on Synodality was overshadowed at this meeting.  It wasn’t, and that is something to be grateful for.  

After Bishop Daniel E. Flores, from the Diocese of Brownsville, TX, and Archbishop William E. Lori, of Baltimore, both Synod participants, shared their reflections on their experiences with the group, the discussion turned toward the final report and its implementation.  

To that end, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of the Diocese of San Diego asked the bishops to consider establishing a task force to study the final report and focus on the implementation of Synodality in the US Church.  The proposal was supported from the floor by several other bishops who attended the Synod and passed on a voice vote.  That request now goes to USCCB President Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio and the Committee for Priorities and Plans for further study.

What does this mean for synodality in the US Church?

The fact that the Conference is considering whether to establish a task force to study implementation of the Synod on Synodality is a bit concerning.  Isn’t this an obvious and necessary next step?  Considering and studying are hardly action words.

Apparently, acceptance of the Synod on Synodality is still tepid in the US Church.  We know that large portions of the US Church did not participate in the synod process, so that shouldn’t be a surprise. 

And yet Synodality offers so much hope for revitalizing our Church and re-engaging the people of God in its mission.

Whether the USCCB moves forward to establish the requested task force or not, the Synod on Synodality will move forward.  Bishops that attended the Synod as delegates, and a few others that see its benefits, will carefully study and begin to implement the recommendations of the Final Report regardless of the official stance of the USCCB.  Individual bishops still have authority to minister to their flock and set priorities in their dioceses.  Thank God.

So, what we may see unfolding in the US Church is a scientific and ecclesial “experiment.” The bishops who see the value of synodality will move forward with implementation.  Others will not.  And we will have a chance to observe the results.

Archbishop Lori, Vice President of the Conference and Synod delegate, noted in his reflections that synodality is a “long-haul proposition” that requires “patience, perseverance and trust.”  “The aim,” he said, “was to overcome the polarization that hinders mission.”  And, “As challenging as the synodal method can be,” he added, “it has something extremely important to say to our very fragmented and divided world.”

Is the US Church listening?

PS:  An English version of the Final Report of the Synod on Synodality was finally released last week.  I have downloaded a copy and will begin reading and processing it in the weeks to come.  Stay tuned.