Bp Alex Vadakumthala
Bishop of Kannur

You were in the Synod in Vatican on Synodality on this October 8 to 29, how will you explain your experience?
During the days of the Synod on Synodality held at the Vatican from October 4 to 29, 2023, I could sense the uniqueness of the Catholic Church, immersing myself in the profound richness of universality of the Christian community. Witnessing diverse traditions, rites, cultures, languages and ways of thinking, and realities perceived through different roles and functions, converging with a shared devotion to Jesus, and it was deeply inspiring. The synodal atmosphere fostered openness, understanding, and constructive dialogue, even on sensitive topics, guiding us towards a consensus through ecclesial discernment. The conversation in the Spirit was palpable, fostering unity in the Church’s collective synodal journey.

As per the constitution of the Synod its members are only bishops, but Pope Francis broke the rule and appointed 70 lay persons including women, how do you explain the Pope’s act?
Pope Francis’s decision to include 70 lay persons, including women, in the Synod, despite the traditional limitation to bishops, aligns with the Synod’s theme, “For a Synodal Church. Communion, Participation, Mission.” This move reflects a departure from the conventional approach, illustrating the Church as a communion of diverse members, including laymen and laywomen, consecrated individuals, deacons, and priests. By breaking with tradition, the Pope underscores a commitment to a more inclusive, participatory Church, echoing his vision for the Church in the new millennium and promoting unity among its varied constituents.

Pope Francis has said that the hierarchical orders are not positions of superiority or status, do you think it is conciliar teaching of Vat. II?
Pope Francis’s assertion that hierarchical orders are not positions of superiority or status resonates very much with the conciliar teachings of the Second Vatican Council. The Council emphasized the shared identity of the People of God, rooted in Baptism, where each member bears a dignity and co-responsibility for the collective evangelization mission. The Pope’s caution against the Synod devolving into a mere majority-driven deliberation aligns with Vatican II’s emphasis on preserving the ecclesial and spiritual character of the Church, acknowledging the delicate balance between representative democracy and the hierarchical nature intrinsic to its structure.

Why do you think the Pope is pushing the notion of synodality in the church?
Pope Francis is championing the notion of synodality in the Church, envisioning it as the expectation of the Lord for the Church in the third millennium. According to him, synodality involves active listening, open dialogue, communal discernment, consensus-building, and differentiated co-responsibility in decision-making. Synodality, in its broadest sense, is seen as the collective journey of Christians with Christ toward the Kingdom, encompassing all of humanity. The Pope’s emphasis on synodality reflects a contemporary understanding of the Church, aligning with the evolving needs of the modern era, and signifies a commitment to fostering a more participatory, inclusive, and spiritually attuned community of believers.

The paedophilia plague seems to have created more than two lakhs of victims through a period from 1945 to 2020.The fundamental reason is said to be a wrong understanding of authority in the church. What went wrong with the notion of authority?
The scourge of paedophilia, resulting in over two lakhs of victims from 1945 to 2020, stems from a profound distortion in the understanding of authority within the Church. While top Church leadership, including Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, denounced such acts and implemented measures like “zero tolerance,” the failure lies at the local level. Pope Francis’s document “You are the light of the World”, Vos Estis Lux Mundi, was revised and promulgated by him recently, on March 23, 2023. These documents carried clear indications on the procedures to be followed.

“The root cause–this flawed
exercise of authority–is essential
for rebuilding trust and ensuring
the Church’s commitment to
justice and compassion.”

The Pope envisages the church as a journey of conversation, how is it going to be different?
Pope Francis envisions the Church as a dynamic journey of conversation, emphasizing its charismatic dimension as a source of richness and variety. This approach serves as a remedy to the persistent challenges of worldliness and clericalism, which obstruct authentic ministry and mission. The Pope highlights the danger of clericalism, rooted in a skewed perception of divine calling and a reluctance to embrace accountability. To foster a more inclusive and responsive Church, Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices of victims and survivors of various abuses by clergy members. The call for co-responsibility in mission is a pivotal aspect of this vision, challenging the hierarchical structures and promoting a collective journey where the diverse voices within the Church actively contribute to its renewal and service.

Pope Francis was deconstructing the notion of Synod by including men and women in the positions of decision making in the church, what makes them qualifying?
Pope Francis’ ground-breaking appointments signify a transformative shift in the Church’s dynamics. By including women and laypeople in pivotal roles, he recognizes their qualifications lie not in gender but in shared commitment to God’s design. The essence of the covenant between men and women, integral to divine creation, calls for collaborative responsibility rather than competition. The Pope emphasizes that a harmonious communion, marked by love and co-responsibility, is paramount at every Church level. Acknowledging past lapses in dignity and justice, he champions a synodal path advocating both relational renewal and structural reform. This inclusive approach seeks to amplify the diverse voices and contributions of all, fostering a united mission.

How does Christ or His Spirit become present in any church gathering? How does the authority of Christ realise in a church meeting?
In any church gathering, the presence of Christ and His Spirit is manifest through a dynamic interplay of dialogue and communal discernment. As we listen to one another, engage in consensus-building, and undertake decision-making with differentiated co-responsibility, Christ’s promise resonates: “I will be with you till the end of times.” This assurance extends to the gathering itself, as Jesus declared, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I will be in your midst.” The Church, as illuminated by the Second Vatican Council, is a unified people under the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Conversing in the Spirit becomes a transformative tool, fostering authentic listening and discernment, leading to a path of renewal that touches individuals, groups, and the entire Church with joy, awe, and gratitude.

What will be your Christmas message as one who understands the church as a journey of conversation?
Christmas invites us into a sacred dialogue—a synodal journey echoing the biblical narrative. In this divine conversation, God descends into humanity’s tapestry, intertwining faith and dialogue. Like Mary, let us find solace in prayer’s silence, fostering a space of freedom and communion. Joseph’s quest for answers mirrors our own, urging us to listen to the divine whispers amidst doubt. Together, let’s embark on a hopeful synodal pilgrimage, anticipating Bethlehem’s grace. As the shepherds and wise kings exemplify openness, joy, and readiness, may we too explore, guided by the celestial star. Christmas, a call to return transformed—a testament to the power of dialogue and divine encounter. “The good news of great joy”, announced by the angel at the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem will be ours, when we set our journey in a synodal way, in the true spirit of Christmas!