Summary of the Synod’s Final Document

Pope’s Accompanying Note

“Synodality is the appropriate interpretative framework for understanding hierarchical ministry.”

The Final Document is part of Papal Magisterium. We are committed to “makes choices consistent”, to implement the Final Document’s proposals, albeit within our own context (no excuse for watering it down it). Synodal process must continue beyond the Assembly!

INTRODUCTION 

Fruits of listening to the People of God and discernment by Pastors. 

Every new step is like Pentecost, presence of the divine. This is what the delegates experienced during the Synod. The emphasis of process was mission, action.

Universal Call to Holiness which includes action.

Baptism is the root of everything, including ministry. We are all children of God!

The People of God.

The poor are the heart of the Church who is called to be for the poor.

Born into discipleship through baptism, the People of God is called to be prophetic.

Sensus fidei although pastors discern.

Synodality- Dialogue, discern, decide. Walking together towards God.

Meaning and Dimensions of Synodality

#28. The terms ‘synodality’ and ‘synodal’ derive from the ancient and constant ecclesial practice of meeting in synods. According to the traditions of the Eastern and Western Churches, the word ‘synod’ refers to institutions and events that assumed different forms over time, involving a plurality of agents and participants. This variety notwithstanding, what unites them is gathering together to dialogue, discern and decide. Owing to the experience of recent years, the meaning of these terms has come to be better understood, and what they represent is more vibrantly lived. They have become ever more deeply associated with the desire for a Church that is closer to people and more relational – a Church that is God’s home and family. During the synodal journey, we have witnessed a fruitful convergence regarding the meaning of synodality that forms the basis of this Document. Synodality is the walking together of Christians with Christ and towards God’s Kingdom, in union with all humanity. Orientated towards mission, synodality involves gathering at all levels of the Church for mutual listening, dialogue, and community discernment. It also involves reaching consensus as an expression of Christ rendering Himself present, He who is alive in the Spirit. Furthermore, it consists in reaching decisions according to differentiated co-responsibilities. Along these lines, we can understand better what it means to say that synodality is a constitutive dimension of the Church (cf. ITC 1). 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

#30. Specifically, synodality designates three distinct aspects of the life of the Church:

1. a) in the first instance, it refers to “the particular style that qualifies the life and mission of the Church, expressing her nature as the People of God journeying together and gathering

in assembly, summoned by the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. Synodality ought to be expressed in the Church’s ordinary way of living and working. This modus vivendi et operandi works through the community listening to the Word and celebrating the Eucharist, the brotherhood of communion and the co- responsibility and participation of the whole People of God in its life and mission, on all levels and distinguishing between various ministries and roles” (ITC 70.a);

70. b) secondly, “(i)n a more specific sense, which is determined from a theological and canonical point of view, synodality denotes those structures and ecclesial processes in which the synodal nature of the Church is expressed at an institutional level, but analogously on various levels: local, regional and universal. These structures and processes are officially at the service of the Church, which must discover the way to move forward by listening to the Holy Spirit” (ITC 70.b);

 

1. c) thirdly, synodality designates “the programme of those synodal events in which the Church is called together by the competent authority in accordance with the specific procedures laid down by ecclesiastical discipline, involving the whole People of God in various ways on local, regional and universal levels, presided over by the Bishops in collegial communion with the Bishop of Rome, to discern the way forward and other particular questions, and to take particular decisions and directions with the aim of fulfilling its evangelising mission”

Mission & Synodality 

Importance of community.

Family is where synodal living is first experienced. It is also the domestic Church.

All are called to be involvement,  use their charisms, encourage ministries, promote co-responsibility.

Unity in diversity. One example is the Oriental and Latin Churches, another is the Exchange of Gifts.

We are called to dialogue ecumenically, in inter-faith and with wider society. We are all to be open.

Synodality is spiritual and arises from discernment

Grace and conversion is paramount, not bureaucracy

Synodality is a prophetic role in today’s world

Relationships.

Conversion of relationships needed - with God, others in the Church, in wider society and those on the margins - to reflect the relationships Christ had with others. All we do occurs through relationships and their quality will determine how much we touch people and be instruments of God’s grace. Prayer (meditating on Gospels) and practical formation are needed.

Relationship between men and women must be attended to.

Local context is important but be aware that all are tainted (systems of sin) and need conversion.

It is evil which considers people and the planet only in terms of profit. There are many divisions today.

The Church also possesses many of these evil traits e.g. abuse. There is a need to listen and heal which is central to our ministry.

Many gifts are given but for the mission. 

Communities must be focussed on mission and not just internal organisation etc

All the baptised have a place: women, children, youth, disabled, families, Religious, theologians. There is a need to discern new lay ministries.

Ordained ministry exists to proclaim the Gospel and build up the community.

Bishop builds up unity, discerning the charisms of others and using them. The bishop must listen during Pastoral Visits, He must be supported.

Priests are to be close to their people and each other.

Deacons serve through proclaiming the Gospel and caring for others, especially the poorest.

Clergy must be more synodal for the benefit of themselves and others.

Many other charisms exist among the laity.

Charisms should be discerned and used. There are Instituted Ministries (acolyte, lector, Catechist), stable ministries and extraordinary ministries as well as spontaneous services. Greater lay involvement is required.

We must listen to and accompany others.

Decision-making processes need ecclesial discernment

This requires listening in a climate of trust that is supported by transparency and accountability.

Ecclesial discernment is not an organisational technique but rather a spiritual practice grounded in a living faith. Listening to the Word of God is the starting point and criterion for all ecclesial discernment.

The way to promote a synodal Church is to foster as great a participation of all the People of God as possible in decision-making processes.

Decision making and taking - There is no competition or conflict between the two elements of the process; rather, they both contribute to ensuring that the decisions taken are the fruit of the obedience of all to what God wants for His Church……. Those with pastoral authority are obliged to listen to those who participate in the consultation and may not act as if the consultation had not taken place. Therefore, those in authority will not depart from the fruits of consultation that produce an agreement without a compelling reason (cf. CIC, can. 127, § 2, 2°; CCEO can. 934, § 2, 3°) which must be appropriately explained. 92. In a synodal Church, the authority of the Bishop, of the Episcopal College and of the Bishop of Rome in regard to decision-taking is inviolable as it is grounded in the hierarchical structure of the Church established by Christ; it both serves unity and legitimate diversity (cf. LG 13).

Transparency, accountability and evaluation are rooted in the Gospel and make the Church credible.

Accountability and evaluation of ministry.

Participatory bodies are to be encouraged.

In a changing world we need to use those structures which are still useful while also using new creative missionary ways. ‘Place’ is where we encounter and isn’t restricted anymore to a geographical space.

Migrants, Oriental Churches, the digital world are examples.

Exchange of Gifts at every level.

Differences in pace in implementing synodality can be valued as an expression of legitimate diversity and as an opportunity for sharing gifts and mutual enrichment.

125. Episcopal Conferences express and implement the collegiality of the Bishops in order to foster communion between Churches and respond more effectively to the needs of pastoral life. They are a fundamental tool for creating bonds, sharing experiences and best practices among the Churches, and for adapting Christian life and the expression of faith to different cultures. With the involvement of the whole People of God, they also play an important role in the development of synodality

Ecclesial Assemblies - This experience demonstrates how synodality enables concretely the involvement of all (the holy People of God) and the ministry of some (the College of Bishops) in the decision-making process concerning the mission of the Church.

Together with the Bishop of Rome, the College of Bishops has an irreplaceable role in shepherding the whole Church (cf. LG 22-23) and in promoting synodality in all the local Churches

We have a duty to support those members of Eastern Catholic Churches who live among us.

Formation is necessary for mission and Synodality. Formation begins in Initiation but demands constant conversion. Sunday Eucharist. “The full extent of our formation is our conformation to Christ [...]: it does not have to do with an abstract mental process, but with becoming Him”.

Invest in Formators. Shared formation. Catechesis.