Vincent Kundukulam
Expectations are high about the forthcoming Synod on synodality. What makes it different from the previous synods is the subject under discussion. The topic creates much interest in the faithful because it touches the very mode of existence of Church. To the contemporary men, medium is the message and being is important than having. Modus operandi is as decisive as the end. The wide curiosity among the Catholics all over the world point to a serious fact: People are not generally happy with the way Church is today. Although much fresh air had got into Church during the Second Vatican Council, after a couple of decencies, many of the windows were closed and hence the level of suffocation is at present on high. Although Pope Francis has lot of good will, there is strong resistance against change from conservative wings.
According to certain thinkers in the Church, the upcoming synod will bear fruit only if people representing the grass-root realities and led by the Holy Spirit get sufficient space in the decision-making process. Leaders of the ‘base’ are not often elected to the Church assemblies. At times, a few of them get through, but their views are not taken seriously by the authorities. Instead, the discourses of the so called “VIPS” get better reception. Subsequently, voice of the ordinary people, which is also the voice of Spirit, doesn’t reach up to the top of the Church. It is performativity and not Christian integrity that is esteemed in certain ecclesial communities. Performativity depends on the capacity to give evidences for the claimed truth. One who performs well is not bothered about what is really just and right. His concern is to present data in a such a way to make others feel that he has every reason to be right. The leaders coming from the lower strata of the society are, in this sense, ‘less performative’.
One who closely observes the ecclesial bodies shall notice that access to these bodies is generally possible only for those who can woo the support of the majority through discursive tactics. These politically motivated representatives have their own personal ambitions and they manipulate the ecclesial platforms to gain their interests or the interests of the political groups they represent. The gatherings at parish, diocesan and regional levels often function as platforms to bargain power and dominion of certain individuals. The result is that the ecclesial bodies fail to attend to the concerns of the marginalised and to stand by the spiritual values.
This has to be definitely overcome in the conduct of synodal get-togethers. The liberating transformation in the ecclesial communities will not happen, as says Richard Lennan, through any single performative leader, whether it be a man or a woman, an ordained person or someone holding an office at the top. Because Church is a body. No individual part of it can accomplish what requires the dedication of the whole. One solution would be to give considerable participation in the synodal bodies to those movements of laymen, consecrated women and ecclesial vocations who are committed to the people.
Pope Francis explicitly states: ‘only to the extent that the discussions keep connected to the base and start from the people and their daily problems, a synodal Church shall begin to take shape’ (ITC, 77). Holy Spirit realizes God’s will in and through the varied gifts and charisms of the baptized. The circulation of sensus fidei shall take place in the Church only as and when the faithful embedded with the spirit of God influence the Church policies. When the laymen committed to the gospel become active agents in the synodal bodies they can undertake the mission of the Spirit, who silently realizes God’s salvific plan among nations.
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