QUESTION: The preparatory document for the Synod of 2023 is out now. There is in it the insistence of Pope Francis on Synodality. He speaks about two things: Consensus as matter as decisions are made and also Consultation with people of God. As a Bishop, how do you see these things in the Synodality of the Church, especially when the Pope, who is very much on Synodality, criticises Clericalism.

ANSWER: We all believe that the Church is a communion. You cannot have communion with friction. There will be difference in opinion and diversities in communion. Consensus is not the opposite of diversity. Everybody has the freedom to think inspired by God in his way. So, Consensus is not incompatible with diversity. But what is important is ultimately to let us live in harmony. Then there will not be any friction. That is the meaning of Consensus. It is not an absolute kind of morality where we all think the same way. Variety enriches the process of consensus, because it demands the acceptance of variety and diversity. There must be unity, but not necessarily uniformity. Clericalism in itself does not convey anything good. It is domination and it creates two classes, of laity and of the ordained. Formerly, the Church was having a leadership conceived on the basis of the Roman Empire, but now we have a completely different attitude of communion, consensus, solidarity, mutual talking, and some sort of synodal decisions all through. There should not be any dictatorship of the majority.

Bishop Thomas Dabre
Pune