Vincent Kundukulam
Seminars, lectures and publications proliferate on the concept of synodality but many suspect how much these happenings shall reach up to the faithful who live at the grass-root level of Church and society. By synodality what Pope Francis intended was a radical change in the working pattern of Church which will ultimately make the very nature of Church synodal. One may then naturally ask, what does it mean to be a synodal church? It is an overarching term that includes several elements like mutual listening, dialogical discussions, common discernment and decision making for the common good of all and ‘bottom to top’ method of functioning, all related to the process of administration in a culture which esteems values of democracy, pluralism, unity and mission. We shall reflect on the dynamism of “journeying together”, an indicator to the opus operandi of Synodal Church.
Estrangement is one of the features of contemporary culture. People feel alienated in living quarters and working areas. Individuals are condemned to live like islands. At this juncture, Church can play the role of a connecting agent. The dynamism of the synodal process is such that it can link people of various ministries and nurture communion in the society. When the laity, religious brothers and sisters and the ordained ministers of different kinds with their variety of vocations, charisms and competences pray, celebrate, reflect, discuss and collaborate together to realize God’s will, there shall develop joy peace and fellowship. This has to be realized in the parishes, in the dioceses, in the regions and in the inter-ritual bodies because as Pope Francis said, “to walk together is the constitutive way of the Church”
When it comes to the regional and national levels, synodality is lived through the medium of Particular Councils. Participation will be limited to the elected ‘some’ of the faithful, clergy and Bishops in these bodies. But this limitation could be overcome if the participants act as the mouth-piece of the communities whom they represent. Though the particular councils have numerical limits, they have some advantages as well. The regional councils have homogeneous culture and shared historical origins (International Theological Commission (ITC), Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church, 2 March 2018, 85). The Catholics of the same region, state and Rite have common memories, myths, symbols, historical figures, events etc. Likewise, the problems they face are often same.
These common factors are ample opportunities for journeying together. Being together in mission shall strengthen mutual relations, institutional structures and spiritual bonding. It will also prompt new ways of evangelising cultures. (ITC 85). In this regard, the role of episcopal conferences is also to be underlined. They are instances of episcopal collegiality. Besides, they give opportunity for the local and Ritual churches to work for the common good of the Church and society. It can be a platform to take decisions of major importance regarding the issues Christians face from inside and outside.
However, walking together and working together of members belonging to different ranks and Churches is challenging. Pope Francis says in his discourse at the celebration of 50th anniversary of Synod of Bishops that ‘walking together – Laity, Pastors, the Bishop of Rome – is an easy concept to put into words but not so easy to put into practice’. Yet, Church must opt for the synodal way because it would be inappropriate to think of evangelisation being carried out by only the qualified actors. The ordinary flock has an instinct to discern new ways that the Lord is revealing to the Church. She cannot err when the whole of faithful – from the bishops to the laity – agree in matters of faith and morals.
kundu1962@gmail.com
