By Most Rev Prakash Mallavarapu,
Archbishop of Visakhapatnam
In order to have better understanding, let us clarify the words “synod” and “synodality” – Meaning of the word synod is “assembly” or “council.” Syn=with, odos=path; it connotes the meaning, ‘on path together,’ of journeying together. As an assembly or as council, the members come together to deliberate, to look at the past and the present, and to move forward into the future. One of the major outcomes of the Second Vatican Council, among many others, is the establishment of the ecclesial institution, namely, the Synod of Bishops. Synod of Bishops is “composed of Bishops, appointed for the most part by the Episcopal Conferences, with our approval (Holy Father’s), will be summoned by the Roman Pontiff, according to the needs of the church, for consultation and collaboration, for the general good of the Church, he deems it opportune.”
This is why over the past fifty years, several times the Synod of Bishops was called for and the fruits are shared with the rest of the Church. Synod is a journeying together as a people, there is a purpose and there is a goal to achieve or reach. In this journeying together there is a lot of listening: The faithful people, the college of bishops, the Bishop of Rome: all listening to each other, and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (Jn14:17), in order to know what he (the Spirit) “says to the Churches” (Rev.2:7).
Holy Father wants this synod commencing on 9th and 10th October in Rome, to be different in the sense that the Synodal process goes on for two years during which the whole Church, and he intends that not just a representative body of bishops and invited delegates deliberate and discuss but the People of God should participate in the whole process — dioceses, different regional and national council of bishops, and finally the Holy See (Vatican). That is why, after formal inauguration of the Synod on 9th and 10th October, 2021, the process of consultation at the diocesan and regional level will take place.
The intention of the Holy Father is that “the Synod of Bishops must increasingly become a privileged instrument for listening to the People of God.” (Episcopalis Communio, no 6).
In this background for the Synod of Bishops, all the dioceses should have a celebration of the opening of the Synod in every diocese. For a fruitful outcome of this process of looking back we have to “listen to the various voices in the Church” to know “what the Spirit is saying to the churches,” local and universal, at this most significant time of human history.”
After the inaugural Mass of the Synod on 17th October, 2021, each diocese is expected to have Synodal process at various levels and in different sections of the Church, the People of God. The Holy Father in his document put the following three aspects of the Synodal process: Communion, Participation and Mission
i) Communion. In communion with the Triune God and in communion with the “whole People of God,” that is, communion with one another as members of the Church, we have to be engaged in “listening” and responding about our journeying together as People of God.
ii) Participation has to be from all sections of the People of God. The People of God including priests, men/women religious and, the lay faithful — families, groups, associations, different age groups, those in the pastoral councils, pious associations, ecclesial movements, etc have to participate in the Synodal process. “Only to the extent,” the Holy father reminds us, “that these organizations keep connected to the “base” and start from people and their daily problems, can a Synodal Church begin to take shape: these means, (these refer to ecclesial canonical structures), even when they prove wearisome, must be valued as an opportunity for listening and sharing.” (Pope Francis’ Address on 17th October, 2017).
iii) Mission: Here I quote from the text of the preparatory document from Rome: “Synodality is at the service of the Church’s Mission, in which all her members are called to participate. Since we are all missionary disciples, how each Baptized person is called to be a protagonist in the mission? How does the community support its members committed to service in society (social, and political commitment, in scientific research and teaching, in the promotion of social justice, in the protection of human rights, and in caring for the Common home, etc.? How do you help them to live out these commitments in a logic of mission? How is discernment about misson-related choices made, and who participates in it?”
At the heart of the whole synodal process is the life and mission of the Church, mission ad intra and mission ad extra. Therefore, if the Church is missionary by its very existence, this particular synod and synodal process should strengthen the members of the Church to be more joyful and committed missionary disciples and strengthen the whole Church to be concerned and actively involved in the mission of the Church. Synod and synodal process is to help the Church to discern “the way forward!’
We conclude with the account of the first meeting of the Apostles and others to listen and to continue their journey as people on a mission: The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
“After much debate had taken place. Peter got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. And God, Who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they. The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them” (Acts 15: 6 – 12)