Synodality is about more than just bishops participating in the governance of the church; it encourages the involvement of all the faithful in a spirit of collaboration, said Archbishop Hector Miguel CabrejosVidarte of Trujillo, Peru.

During an Oct. 25 briefing with journalists, Archbishop Cabrejos said that “synodality” was a theme that was heavily discussed throughout the Synod of Bishops.

Synodality, he said, is more than just a word; it’s a way of life for the church that “promotes everyone’s participation.”

“When I say everyone, I don’t just mean the church as in the bishops, priests. No! It is also the laity and the faithful at all levels. And all of us bishops are called — and this is part of that synodality — to make colla- boration grow,” Archbishop Cabrejos said.

“The church,” he added, “is not having a Synod for youth, but with youth.” The archbishop, who also serves as president of the Peruvian bishops’ conference, explained that synodality involves the entire church “walking together” not only with young people who are in the church but “also with those who are far, with nonbelievers.” “The word that best describes synodality is walking; walking together not just as a church, not just as a youth group, not just as a priest, not just as a religious congregation for men and women or a lay group. It is walking together. And I think the clear image is that we bishops are called” to foster growth, participation and synodality.

Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna was asked on Oct. 26 about the difference between “synodality” and the “collegiality” the Second Vatican Council saw a need to strengthen.

Collegiality involves all the bishops together and with the Pope exercising their leadership as successors of the group of Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus, he said. “Synodality is a much wider notion,” one that recognizes that each Christian, by virtue of his or her baptism, has something to contribute to the life and mission of the church.