Synodality: What It IS and ISN'T

The Synod on Synodality began in Rome yesterday. Lay, religious, and clergy gathered to discuss how the different elements of the Church can walk together in greater unity of mission, communion, and participation. For some who style themselves as “conservative” or “orthodox,” this synod presents an existential crisis. They have remarked loudly that they believe it will be an opportunity for progressive clergy to champion causes antithetical to perennial Church teaching and practice.

I am sure that there are some at the synod who wish for such things. But I think the overwhelming majority of participants are more concerned with accompanying people into Holy Mother Church. The world is a very big place and the exact ways to do the meaningful work of evangelization are diverse.

Certainly, the unfailing teachings of the Church on Faith and Morals cannot and will not change. But the practical exposition of such doctrines have to take into account the subject of catechesis. Faith comes from what is heard. And there is not only one way to express the inexhaustible. There will be some who read these words and will immediately accuse me of liberalism. The charge would be absurd. What I am expressing is the old proverb: “Whatever is received is received according to the mode of the recipient.”

For example, if I went up to an average Catholic in the pew and said: “The Sacred Liturgy is the perichoresis of the Trinity kenotically extended to invite our synergistic ascent into deification"… how many would understand a fraction of what I just said? How many of you reading this have a clue? But if I was to say that the Mass is the “self-offering of the Son to the Father in the Spirit, in which we are invited to take part” - would that be easier to accept readily? Of course, both definitions are true! Or I could say: “The Mass is primarily what God does and He wants us to enter into His action and be transformed by it.” That might be even simpler. I do not think anyone would accuse this final statement of being “watered down.”

We have to walk with people. We have to practically discern where the individual is on his or her journey and act accordingly. When I worked for a Parish, I met with a gentlemen for three weeks in a row in a “Catholics Come Home” setting. I did not answer any of his many questions at first. I listened and asked him questions in return. Then, after three weeks, the Holy Spirit moved him to look within. This introspection led to profound conversion and the man returned to the practice of the Faith after making a good confession.

Those who think that everything needs to be abundantly clear and defined are operating under the assumption that we can accomplish such a thing. There are relatively few doctrines which are actually dogmatically defined. The rest of the doctrines still adhere and are trustworthy. But our words often fall short of capturing their majesty.

This synod is not trying to redefine doctrine. And if anyone present tries, then he or she will be challenged by everyone else, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because here’s the thing: we either trust that the Holy Spirit guides and guards the Church or we do not.

The International Theological Commission in 2018 on synodality reminds us of a medieval saying: “what affects everyone should be discussed and approved by all (ITC).” This does NOT mean conciliarism or parlimentarianism. I think this is where apprehensions about the synod get off track. People believe that this synod is a governing body designed to reexamine doctrine for the purpose of promulgating innovations. Instead, it is a consultative body with a view to broaden and strengthen ecclesial communion.

We should pray that the participants move in this direction: towards broadening and strengthening ecclesial communion.

I will end with the final paragraph of the ITC’s 2018 document:

“May Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, who "joined the disciples in praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1,14), and thus made possible the missionary outburst which took place at Pentecost", accompany the synodal pilgrimage of the People of God, pointing the way and teaching us the beautiful, tender and strong style of this new phase of evangelisation.”

For more on Synodality, I recommend reading my friend Dr. Shaun Blanchard’s excellent article from Commonweal entitled: “Synodality & Catholic Amnesia.”