The 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality has concluded. Since Pope Francis convoked this Synod, it has been different from the other 20 plus Synods since the Second Vatican Council. The framework, timeline and strong emphasis on consultation marked the Synod on Synodality as an emerging way of being Church.

This Synod unfolded in stages across three years and consulted not just a small group of hand-picked ‘experts’ but all those interested in sharing their prayerful consideration of the question:

A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together”: How is this “journeying together” happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?

Uniquely at the Synod ‘events’ of October 2023 and 2024, membership was expanded to include non-bishop participants from across the globe. Their participation was full and active. Not passive observers but equal participants around the table. Circular tables, so that participants could more easily listen to each other through spiritual conversations, replaced tiered Synod Hall seating.

Normal practice after a Synod is that the Pope, having prayerfully considered the fruit of the meetings, publishes an Apostolic Exhortation that encourage and instructs the faithful regarding the topic of the Synod. Pope Francis will not do so for the Synod on Synodality. The final response of the Synod, written and approved by all participants is the formal document to “guide the mission of the Church in their specific continents and contexts”. [1]

The document, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission[2], gives concrete recommendations for living into a new way of being Church recognising shared baptism (#4) as the authority for mission and the need for conversion of structures, relationships and missionary endeavour (#9). There is call for greater transparency in finances and accountability for robust protocols to prevent abuse and respond to survivors (#99).

Throughout the document, synodality is presented as the style of Christian life and ministry that acknowledges that all have something to offer and emphasises the importance of listening particularly to those at the margins.

As well as exploring structural reforms the document notes that there is nothing to stop women from taking up leadership roles in the Church, being involved in Church decision-making processes and participating in clergy formation (#60). There is even a hint that “the question of women’s access to diaconal ministry remains open” (#60). Broader lay participation is proposed in Church governance, synodal assemblies, diocesan leadership and, selecting and evaluating bishops (#102). A critical thread within the document is that synodality is now a “constructive dimension” (# 28) of the Church.

In his final address, Pope Francis noted the need for “a Church that hears the cry of the world – I wish to say this even if some might be scandalised – a Church that gets its hands dirty in serving”. Perhaps that summarises the Synod on Synodality concisely; it is a call to get our hands dirty to serve the Lord.

Siân Owen rsj

Footnotes:
[1] Final Greeting of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Second Session of The XVI General Ordinary Assembly Of The Synod Of Bishops (2-27 October 2024), 26 October 2024 retrieved 01/11/ 2024 https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/october/documents/20241026-sinodo-vescovi.html
[2] For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission Final Document Working Translation Original: Italian 26 October 2024 retrieved 12/11/2024 https://www.synod.va/en/news/final-document-of-the-xvi-assembly.html