We have already reported previously on this page, the meeting of “Pastors for the Synod“, an international gathering of more than 200 pastors from different continents, gathered in Rome tostrengthen the synodal spirit and to be better ambassadors from their parishes to the rest of the church.
But time does not stand still and we are entering the month of July and the Synodal Assembly of October 2024 is looming ever closer on the horizon.
It is necessary to start from a working document, the Instrumentum Laboris 2, for the elaboration of which about twenty theologians from different continents came to Rome last June. The work was coordinated by the General Secretariat of the Synod. At the end of the sessions that took place from the 4th to the 14th, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, sj. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich sj Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, General Rapporteur of the XVI Assembly, said “The seeds of the synodal church are already sprouting!
Most of the reports show the joy of the journey that has given new life to many local communities and has brought about significant changes in their way of being and living as a church.
This group of theologians – men and women, bishops, priests, consecrated men and women and lay people – worked on the 107 reports of the Episcopal Conferences, the Oriental Church, the USG-UISG and on more than 175 observations from international organizations, universities, associations of the faithful and individuals, in addition to the reports of the aforementioned group of parish priests.
Among the reports received , there is joy for the conversion and the work shared, but there is also concern that things will not reach their destination or that pressure groups will impose themselves.
It is interesting to know that among the most repeated themes are: formation to synodality, the functioning of the organs of participation, the role of women, youth, attention to the poor, inculturation, transparency and the culture of accountability on the part of those who assume a ministry in the Church, but also catechesis and Christian initiation, collaboration between Churches, the figure of the bishop, etc….. These reports are also rich in testimonials.
The process of drafting the Instrumentum Laboris will continue with other stages: at this point, in which the material received by the group of theologians has been articulated, the phases of drafting the document itself and a system of extensive verification will follow until the Ordinary Council approves the document to be submitted to the Holy Father for his definitive approval.
If for the first assembly it was important to highlight the breadth of the topics to be discussed, the working document for the next session aims to unravel some knots in order to answer the following question How to be a synodal church in missionThe working document for the next session aims at unraveling some of the issues to be discussed, taking into account the road traveled so far, together with some concrete proposals to help in the discernment that is entrusted to the members of the Assembly.
There is a road ahead. These are crucial moments to continue to get involved in this journey together. The Spirit leads us and needs our collaboration. May the same Spirit help us to maintain this attentive and vigilant tension so that we do not lose heart in the attempt andremain committed to being and being in a different way in the church.
Let us not forget that synodality is the characteristic that will mark us as a church in the future and this presents us with an exciting horizon to be that community of unconditional and merciful welcome, as Jesus reminds us in his Gospel.
María Luisa Berzosa González FI, Rome.
