Finally, a genuine agenda
John Crothers is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Sydney.
[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]The Working Document for the October Synod on Synodality in Rome has recently been released. It’s the agenda for the upcoming synod discussions, with participants being asked to reflect on a range of specific questions under the broad topic of “Communion, Participation, Mission.”
One of the significant things about the document is the inclusion of a number of topics that would be regarded as controversial to say the least.
For decades Catholics here in Australia, and around the world, have been voicing their concerns about issues such as clericalism, exclusion of women from ministry, compulsory celibacy, and the exclusion of divorced and remarried people from Holy Communion. These issues have not seen the light of day
in official Church communications. But this time it’s different.
For example, the participants at the Synod will be asked to reflect on what forms of clericalism still persist in the Church, and how new ways can be found to overcome a “clerical mindset?”
They will also be asked to reflect on the question of “access to the Priesthood for married men” – in other words, optional celibacy in the Latin Rite.
Women’s ministry is also on the agenda. There is a specific call for the question of “women’s inclusion in the diaconate” to be considered.
Another question refers to a group of people who are excluded from receiving Holy Communion. Participants are asked to look for concrete steps to welcome ‘those who feel excluded’ from the Church, with a specific reference to “remarried divorcees.” In the same question there is also reference to “LGBTQ+ people,” and how they too might be made to feel more welcome.
One cannot help but note the contrast between the agenda for the Rome Synod and the agenda for the Australian Plenary Council. The same controversial issues were reflected in the Plenary Council submissions, but were not included in the agenda.
Any agenda is crucial in determining the content and nature of the discussion. The agenda can be formulated in a way that encompasses the range of opinions of the participants, or it can be formulated in a way that restricts the discussion within predetermined limits.
Thankfully the Rome Synod on Synodality has adopted an open and inclusive agenda. The concerns of Catholics around the world have been listened to. There was no attempt to shy away from the hard questions. In all probability the bishops who oversaw the formulation of the Synod Working Document would have had reservations about including issues that were in tension with current Church teaching as it opens up the possibility of change to that teaching. But those same bishops recognised that this was an exercise in listening to the Spirit, and the Spirit was obviously talking.
Of course, it doesn’t necessarily mean that change will come about. There may well be a consensus at the Synod to keep the status quo. But that’s not the point. What is important is that the people who shared their thoughts and feelings through the submissions were heard, and their issues taken seriously. The agenda is genuine.
The significance of this action can hardly be overestimated. Rome has invited discussion on issues that are at variance with the Church’s current position on these topics. This is synodality in action – clergy and laity walking together and listening to each other, even when their positions differ. We are now a synodal Church. It will be very difficult to go back to a model where the only things up for discussion are those that the bishops want to discuss.
So now that Rome has shown the way, it is up to the Australian bishops to take up the challenge. Synodality needs to become the norm for the way we operate as Church in Australia. In practice this will express itself in many ways, but there is one way in particular by which we will know that we are a synodal Church, and that is whenever Catholics gather to reflect on Church matters, in whatever capacity, the agenda that is set will be truly representative of all those present, and of all those they represent. [/s2If]
