The "places of synodality" are not the protected or institutional ones, but the "windy crossroads where the Spirit blows". For this reason - it was reported this morning in the briefing for journalists in the Holy See Press Office - "an ecclesial assembly of the Mediterranean to listen to the voices of migrants" was proposed in the Hall. The Assembly expressed gratitude for what the Churches do to welcome them and for the structures that network in this area of proximity.
Attention to people with disabilities and students of different religions
This morning there were 346 people present in the Chamber; we continued with free speeches on topics 2 and 3 of the Instrumentum Laboris. The relaunch of the role of parishes, the more direct involvement of young people and authentic attention to people with disabilities with the creation of an ad hoc council were called for. “Without the reconfiguration of parishes into networks or small communities of contiguity, synodality becomes slower and risks becoming a centralizing element,” reported Sheila Pires, secretary of the Commission for Information on the Synod. Other issues addressed: that of “virtual networks”, such as Talitha Kum, and how to connect them to the Episcopal Conferences; the proposal of a common platform for students of different religions who attend Catholic schools. Moreover, the students themselves will be involved in some way in the progress of the Synod when, tomorrow, Cardinals Jean-Claude Hollerich and Mario Grech, Sister Leticia Salazar and Bishop Daniel Flores will make themselves available for a meeting with some university students on the topics under discussion in the assembly.
More connection between Roman Curia and local communities
Prefect Paolo Ruffini reported on the importance attributed to the mission of religious, fundamental for the service given the places of great suffering and hardship or education where religious operate. Regarding the crucial theme of the relationship between synodality and primacy, the substance of what was already shared in yesterday's forums, open to the public, was recalled. "Concreteness is needed," added Ruffini, "and it is somewhat surprising that, so many years after the Second Vatican Council, the theological status of the Episcopal Conferences is not even clearer." Then presented was the proposal to consult local Churches more when preparing documents, also by the Roman Curia. Those who work in the Dicasteries were also urged to visit small communities and the various dioceses more often, for a look at the field of work carried out.
Building brotherly relationships is not a given
The true renewal of the Church is to imitate Jesus who went towards the people. So it is the Church that must do the same, it must move, without waiting for the churches to be filled. So Sister Samuela Maria Rigon, superior general of the Sisters of the Holy Mother of Sorrows (Italy), in her speech at today's briefing in which she reported that one of the experiences that struck her most about the synodal assembly, this year too, was its universality. "You can come into contact with realities of the world that no one talks about and with different vocations, functions and roles in the Church," she said, noting that a quarter of the participants are lay people, young people, religious and all have the opportunity to speak. This is a very significant step, although there is no lack of tensions for different positions on some issues but, she specified, "it is not a question of polarization but of multiple polarities. Perhaps we are not used to inhabiting polarities, such as for example that of man/woman." The nun emphasized the need to return to the original dimension of the Church: building fraternal relationships. "It is not a given that we are capable of managing relationships.
The Synod in the Asian Church, a Satisfying Journey
To Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar), President of the “Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences” (FABC), and member of the Ordinary Council, the task of drawing up a brief overview of the effects of the synodal journey in Asia, which partly coincided with the organization of the Pope's recent trip to the continent. The renewal of the Asian Church is tangible in various ways: from the greater involvement of young people in digital evangelization to a more pronounced use of creativity in pastoral care, to a clericalism that is being overcome despite the forms of resistance on the part of some bishops who "are afraid of losing authority and privilege". The issue also concerns the fact that "sometimes changes are seen as something imposed from the outside". Then there is the problem of the harmonization of different cultures, the need for more resources, an evangelization that must deal with very long geographical distances, women for whom it is truly difficult to assume leadership roles also due to the influence of some religious affiliations. Despite the great challenges, the FABC can still say it is satisfied, says the cardinal, because "the Church in Asia wants to listen to everyone, and the current synod is a step of considerable importance in this direction".
Need for change in the Church, even in its structures
“The world today needs to listen,” so the Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec (Canada), a faculty that “we had to discover”, especially “to listen better to those who are different from us”, in a world, he observed, in which “only weapons and bombings are used to solve problems. We needed to sit together not as we do in a company but to listen to the Spirit, in search not so much of results, but of the fruits of the Kingdom of God”. The hope expressed by Monsignor Pedro Carlos Cipollini, bishop of Santo André (Brazil), is that a change will emerge from the synod, he speaks of conversion, which he identifies in a threefold direction: in the way of exercising the mission, through the media, for example; in the way of conceiving structures; in the way of deepening spiritual life.
Adapting language to our contemporary
Decentralization between Rome and the Episcopal Conferences, and the relationship between the time for listening and the implementation of changes, were then discussed in the question space. The issue of granting greater powers to local Churches "is not a new one," explained Prefect Ruffini, "but has been the subject of long reflection in the history of the Church, at least since the Second Vatican Council. It is normal that on this there are, and have been over the course of these days, interventions that are also different and not all in agreement: patience is needed." The fundamental thing, added Sister Rigon, "is to recognize ourselves in the same doctrine and to all believe in the one and triune God, then it is natural that today we are called to adapt the language and the ways to the place and time in which we live." Regarding the specific point that concerns some collegial bodies, such as the possibility for example of making pastoral councils mandatory in parishes, "we certainly experience good, positive tensions, with different positions that demonstrate vitality," said Lacroix, "therefore we are called to have an attitude of mutual openness." Even with respect to making the relationship between the departments of the Roman Curia and episcopal conferences and dioceses more effective, he added, "there is still a long way to go together, but steps forward have been made."
Towards a ministry of listening?
Someone also spoke of the possibility of establishing a specific ministry of listening "but here too - these are Ruffini's words - there are open reflections and we await the reports of the circles. There are those who would like a ministry, and those who would like a service, but the charism of listening will naturally never be exclusive to just a few". This Synod, echoed Cardinal Bo, is "different because it is truly a process, and my hope is that once the work is finished each bishop can think about opening a diocesan synod in his own home to continue what was started". "In my opinion - intervened Monsignor Cipollini - conversion is slow because it is tied to the freedom of each individual, and it requires time because it is a dialogue with God. Today we are in a society in which everyone wants to talk, but no one listens anymore".