Embracing conflict in the catechumenate: a path to synodal living

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11 thoughts on “Embracing conflict in the catechumenate: a path to synodal living”

    1. Nora English

      Yes it speaks to my experience. Our priests and parishioners need education on the Pope’s dream and what it means to be synodal people .

  1. Juliann Stephen

    Frankly, I feel that your definition of synodality is not definitive. Unbaptized persons, especially, need a definitive explanation of who we are, what we do, and how we are called to act as Catholic Christians in our world today. Words like “inclusive” make me uneasy because those words could imply that we are a “free-wheeling,” anything goes type of community. And that is exactly what we are NOT. We need to teach that we follow Scripture, Tradition with a capital “T”, and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
    Yes, everyone’s opinion should be heard, but an opinion is just that; an opinion. And people’s opinions are not what guide the living of our Catholic faith.

    1. Hi Juliann.

      Thank you for sharing your comment. I would like to provide some clarification regarding the understanding of synodality that I mentioned earlier. It is important to note that this understanding is not my personal interpretation but rather the teaching of the church. To support this, I would like to refer you to the Vademecum for the Synod on Synodality (Official Handbook for Listening and Discernment in Local Churches).

      The handbook emphasizes the significance of synods as a time to dream:

      Synods are a time to dream and “spend time with the future”: We are encouraged to create a local process that inspires people, with no one excluded to create a vision of the future filled with the joy of the Gospel. The following dispositions will help participants (cf. Christus Vivit):

      • An innovative outlook: To explore new approaches with creativity and a certain audacity.
      • Being inclusive: Embracing a participatory and co-responsible Church that values its rich variety and includes those who are often overlooked.
      • An open mind: Avoiding ideological labels and embracing methodologies that have proven fruitful.
      • Listening to each and every one: Learning from one another and reflecting the diverse reality of Christ’s Church.
      • Understanding “journeying together”: Walking the path that God calls the Church to undertake in the third millennium.
      • Embracing the concept of a co-responsible Church: Valuing and involving each member of the Body of Christ for the renewal and growth of the entire Church.
      • Reaching out through ecumenical and interreligious dialogue: Dreaming together and journeying with the entire human family.

      Furthermore, the handbook identifies participation as one of the key themes of the synodal process.

      Participation: A call for the involvement of all who belong to the People of God – laity, consecrated and ordained – to engage in the exercise of deep and respectful listening to one another. This listening creates space for us to hear the Holy Spirit together, and guides our aspirations for the Church of the Third Millennium. Participation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualified and are called to serve one another through the gifts they have each received from the Holy Spirit. In a synodal Church the whole community, in the free and rich diversity of its members, is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice on making pastoral decisions which correspond as closely as possible to God’s will (ICT, Syn., 67-68). Genuine efforts must be made to ensure the inclusion of those at the margins or who feel excluded.

      Even catechumens, though unbaptized, are considered members of the household of God when they are consecrated as catechumens (see RCIA 47). Therefore, they should be included in the synodal process.

      The handbook also emphasizes the need to listen to those who are outside the church.

      Together, all the baptised are the subject of the sensus fidelium, the living voice of the People of God. At the same time, in order to participate fully in the act of discerning, it is important for the baptised to hear the voices of other people in their local context, including people who have left the practice of the faith, people of other faith traditions, people of no religious belief, etc. For as the Council declares: “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts” (GS, 1).

      It is crucial to note that listening to and dialoguing with one another does not imply a freewheeling or anything-goes approach. Rather, it represents a return to the inclusive character and roots of the church from its inception. In describing the synodal nature of the church, the handbook says:

      In creating the opportunity for listening and dialogue on the local level through this Synod, Pope Francis is calling the Church to rediscover its deeply synodal nature. This rediscovery of the synodal roots of the Church will involve a process of humbly learning together how God is calling us to be as the Church in the third millennium.   

      If we are to provide catechumens with a definitive explanation of who we are, what we do, and how we are called to act as Catholic Christians in our world today, we must first teach them the importance of listening to and engaging in dialogue with everyone they encounter. The handbook underscores this point.

      In this sense, synodality enables the entire People of God to walk forward together, listening to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, to participate in the mission of the Church in the communion that Christ establishes between us. Ultimately, this path of walking together is the most effective way of manifesting and putting into practice the nature of the Church as the pilgrim and missionary People of God (PD, 1).

      Thus, the emphasis on listening, dialogue, and inclusivity in the synodal process is not an endorsement of a freewheeling approach, but rather a return to the fundamental principles and values that have shaped the Church from its earliest days.

      In conclusion, the synodal nature of the Church invites us to engage in a process of deep listening, respectful dialogue, and active participation. It is through this synodal approach that we can build a community that is united, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of our world.

  2. Read a lot on synodality but somehow it is a missing term in our parish or may just be only in an inclusive circle.

    1. Hi Cora.

      The great thing about the practice of synodality is that you can influence your parish with community building and listening behaviors even if the parish leadership may not be actively doing so. Here are a few things you can do:

      Engage in open dialogue: Express your thoughts and ideas frequently but respectfully with the parish leadership. This can be during parish meetings, through written communication, or by reaching out to them personally. Share your perspective and encourage them to consider different viewpoints.

      Participate in parish activities: Attend parish gatherings, events, and discussions where you can meet other parishioners. By actively participating, you can engage in conversations and share your thoughts and concerns. This helps create an atmosphere of collaboration and encourages others to do the same.

      Form or join groups: Seek out or create small groups within the parish that focus on specific topics or issues of importance. These groups can provide a space for open dialogue and collaboration among like-minded individuals who share similar concerns. By coming together, you can discuss ideas and propose suggestions to the parish leadership.

      Offer constructive suggestions: If you have specific ideas or proposals, write them down and present them to the parish leadership. Be constructive in your suggestions and offer potential solutions to the challenges or issues at hand. Encourage the leadership to consider implementing a more inclusive and participatory approach.

      Pray for the church: Lift up prayers for the church, its leaders, and the entire community. Pray that the spirit of synodality and open dialogue permeates the parish, guiding the leadership towards a more inclusive and collaborative approach. Praying for unity, understanding, and God’s guidance can have a positive impact on the overall dynamics of the parish.

      Your individual efforts may not immediately change your parish’s approach, but you can contribute to a culture of open communication and encourage others to participate and engage. Your efforts can help foster an environment where the principles of synodality are embraced and valued.

      Thank you for your dedication and commitment.

      Nick

  3. It is incredibly difficult to bring people to where they can embrace the catechumenal process; I have been so changed by it over the decades that I yearn to share it with everyone! I really wish our pastors would open themselves to the experiences of their brother priests and the many of us who have witnessed the movement of the Spirit transforming parishes in this process.

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