SYNODALITY: THE WAY FORWARD
At the conclusion of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Church looks forward to the future with a renewed sense of hope. As the final document of the Synod, which was approved on 26th October 2024, states, “The synodal process does not conclude with the end of the current Assembly of the Synod of Bishops but also includes the implementation phase. As members of the Assembly and as synodal missionaries within the communities from which we come, we feel it is our responsibility to promote this process”. The document particularly highlights three important aspects of this process and identifies special agents who should assume the responsibility of each of these aspects (no 9, Introduction, p. 5, Working translation of the Final Document):
1.Process: The local Churches are called “to continue their daily journey with a synodal methodology of consultation and discernment, identifying concrete ways and formation pathways to bring about a tangible synodal conversion in the various ecclesial contexts”.
2.Evaluation: The document insists on the importance of “planning for an evaluation of the progress made in terms of synodality and the participation of all the Baptised in the life of the Church”.In this respect, the Episcopal Conferences and Synods of the Churches sui iuris have the special responsibility “to allocate personnel and resources to accompany the pathway of growth as a synodal Church in mission and to maintain contact with the General Secretariat of the Synod”.
3.Method: Continuing the emphasis on method in our synodal journey, the document also underlines the role of the Secretariat “to continue to watch over the synodal quality of the working method of the Study Groups”.
The document reflects on the future synodal path and conversion as one of the recurrent and overarching themes. It comprises five parts calling for the conversion of hearts, relationships, processes, bonds, and formation. The first section reflects on the Hearty of Synodality with particular focus on the Holy Spirit’s call to conversion. This section outlines the theological and spiritual foundations that enlighten and nourish the future synodal process. Drawing insights from our synodal experience, it elaborates the sacramental, spiritual and prophetic perspectives that can inspire our personal, pastoral, and missionary conversion.
Parts II-IV are developed based on the Johannine passage of the miraculous catch of fish by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14). The second part, which is titled “On the Boat, Together”, evokes the powerful image of the disciples out on a boat to fish (John 21:2-3) and focuses on the conversion of the relationships in the context of plurality of contexts, vocations, charisms and ministries, stressing on the common mission of building the Christian community the shaping mission.
The third part, “Cast the Net”, based on the fishing lesson that Jesus provides to his disciples (John 21:5-6), identifies three interrelated practices that are crucial to our future synodal path: our collective ecclesial discernment on mission, the structures involved in the decision-making processes of the Church, and the need to promote a culture of transparency, accountability and evaluation. The section calls for a renewal of participatory bodies to initiate creative pathways of ‘missionary transformation’.
The fourth part, entitled “An Abundant Catch”, draws from the powerful imagery of the disciples’ abundant catch of fish (John 21:8,11) to reflect on the need for us to embrace the rootedness and dynamic nature of the synodal pilgrimage on the path of conversion of our synodal bonds. It explores the cultivating of new ways to exchange gifts and renew the bonds of unity between the Churches at the local, continental, and the universal levels. The final part, based on John 20:21,22), is titled “So I Send You” and envisages the steps that we need to take to facilitate the formation of the People of God as synodal missionaries. May the Mother of God accompany us in this continuing synodal path.
With prayerful wishes,
George Antonysamy,
Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore