Come, Holy Spirit!

During October, a special event has been taking place in Rome. Three years ago, Pope Francis called for a worldwide consultation that would culminate this month with what he called a “Synod on Synodality.” So, what is it all about? What is a synod, a synod of bishops, specifically? 

According to Canon Law #342, “The synod of bishops is a group of bishops who have been chosen from different regions of the world and meet together at fixed times to foster closer unity between the Roman Pontiff and bishops, to assist the Roman Pontiff with their counsel in the preservation and growth of faith and morals and in the observance and strengthening of ecclesiastical discipline, and to consider questions pertaining to the activity of the Church in the world.”

The Greek root of the word synod means “journeying together.” The synod of bishops was established following the Second Vatican Council by Saint Paul VI as a permanent office of the Vatican’s Roman Curia to gather at intervals determined by the pope, to advise the pontiff on the matters he would propose. The current synod is shaping up to be unlike previous synods, which were all composed exclusively of bishops. 

This one has sought a broader kind of participation and includes not only bishops but priests, religious and even lay men and women as voting members.

Three years ago, the pope proposed to do a synod on synodality, saying that he wanted the Church to discuss how we actually “journey together” as a Church. How do we involve every member of the Church and their gifts in the mission of making disciples? According to its official documents, the theme of this synod is, “communion, participation and mission.” 

Honestly, the concept of synodality is hard to grasp, and the way the synod process has been implemented has made it even more complicated. A worldwide consultation, structured in diocesan, regional and continental phases, was launched. Unfortunately, for the most part, the process has not produced the hoped for levels of participation in many parts of the world. 

In the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, about 2,000 people participated, either by attending a live session or responding to an online survey. While we are grateful for those from our archdiocese who participated, this is a very small number for a diocese that has more than 200,000 Catholics. 

The discussion questions presented in the 40-page working document ranged from who is to be included in decision making to the ways we partner with secular entities such as communication networks and social media. 

In the pope’s words, he wants the Church to listen more and to engage more people, not only clergy, in decision-making processes. That is a good thing. In this respect, I think the Church in the United States is already very “synodal.” 

Perhaps it is one of the most synodal churches in the world. We utilize boards, councils and committees that involve Catholics from every state of life in discerning our pastoral priorities and arriving at decisions. In our archdiocese, for example, I am surrounded by priests, deacons, religious and lay men and women who regularly take part in virtually every decision that impacts the life of our local Church. 

For example, a vocations board advises me on young men to be accepted to seminary and their priestly formation process. The vocations board includes a priest, religious sister and lay men and women who offer unique perspectives. This is, in my view, an expression of synodality in action. 

However, Pope Francis comes from South America, where this is not the reality. In Latin America, there are rarely laypersons working in departments and offices of the diocesan curia. It would be rare indeed to find advisory boards and committees working together with bishops in the mission of governing, teaching and sanctifying that is entrusted to bishops. By contrast, our Church in the United States is indeed a very synodal Church. 

Unfortunately, the good intentions of the pontiff to listen and increase participation have been misinterpreted by some. For some, the synod has become a consultation not about synodality, not about communion, participation and mission, but about matters of doctrine that some would like to reconsider if the majority agrees they should change. 

This has raised unreasonable expectations and confusion about what is changeable and what is permanent in the constitution and teaching of the Church. Up to now the pope has chosen not to unequivocally challenge this misconception of his initial intentions for the synod. 

For Catholics concerned about the conclusions this synod might draw, I want to reaffirm that there is nothing wrong with synodality. There is nothing wrong with understanding that the Church is all of us, and we are on this “journey together” to heaven. It is a good thing to emphasize that the work of making disciples belongs to you as much as it belongs to priests, deacons, religious, parents, all men and women. 

We believe in communion, in participation, and in the mission of the Church. We demonstrate that we are a synodal Church through the work of every parish pastoral council, in every board overseeing and guiding the different ministries and apostolates in the Church, and in the many other consultative bodies such as school boards and finance councils. While we welcome synodality, we also promote the truths of the faith and affirm that they should be cherished and protected even as they develop authentically. 

Our Holy Father has many outstanding and obvious virtues. He has a deep commitment to, and authentic love for, the poor, the vulnerable, the excluded and the ones living on the peripheries. He has a passion for protecting God’s creation, our common home. 

At times, however, he can be ambiguous when speaking, which may leave people in doubt about the intention of his words. Yet, I truly believe, the re-definition of doctrine was not the intention of Pope Francis in convening this synod.

I pray that this Synod on Synodality will be a moment of grace for the Church. I invite you to pray for Pope Francis and all the synod participants that they will cooperate with the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus Christ who guides the Church in truth, communion and charity. 

Be not afraid! God is with us!