{"id":6576,"date":"2021-09-08T11:29:39","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T15:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/listening-faithful-vatican-releases-synod-preparatory-document\/"},"modified":"2021-09-08T11:29:39","modified_gmt":"2021-09-08T15:29:39","slug":"listening-faithful-vatican-releases-synod-preparatory-document","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/listening-faithful-vatican-releases-synod-preparatory-document\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening to the Faithful: Vatican releases Synod Preparatory Document"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From Vatican News<\/a>
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\nListening without prejudice; speaking out with courage and parrhesia; dialoguing with the Church, with society, and with the other Christian confessions.<\/p>\n\n

The General Secretariat for the Synod has published the Preparatory Document<\/a>, along with a Vademecum<\/a> (or handbook) to indicate the guiding principles that will direct the path of the Synod on Synodality. The solemn opening of the Synod will take place in Rome on October 9-10, and in the particular Churches on October 17; and will conclude in the Vatican in 2023 with the assembly of bishops from around the world.<\/p>\n\n

The Preparatory Document, released on Tuesday, is intended above all to be an instrument facilitating the first phase of listening and consultation of the People of God in the particular Churches, which will take place from October 2021 to April 2022.
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\nJourneying together<\/strong>
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\n\u201cIn other words,\u201d as the document says, \u201cit constitutes a sort of construction site or pilot experience that makes it possible to immediately begin reaping the fruits of the dynamic that progressive synodal conversion introduces into the Christian community.\u201d
\nThe text opens with a fundamental question:<\/p>\n\n

“How does this \u2018journeying together,\u2019 which takes place today on different levels (from the local level to the universal one), allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to Her; and what steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church?”
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\nSteps towards synodality<\/strong>
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\nTo respond to this question, the Secretariat of the Synod points out some concrete steps. First of all, it is necessary to live \u201ca participative and inclusive ecclesial process that offers everyone\u2014especially those who for various reasons find themselves on the margins\u2014the opportunity to express themselves and to be heard\u201d; and then to recognize and appreciate \u201cthe wealth and the variety of the gifts and charisms that the Spirit liberally bestows\u2026 for the benefit of the whole human family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Further, it is necessary to examine \u201chow responsibility and power are lived in the Church, as well as the structures by which they are managed, bringing to light and trying to convert prejudices and distorted practices that are not rooted in the Gospel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

The document invites us to look at how the Christian community can be accredited \u201cas a credible subject and reliable partner in paths of social dialogue, healing, reconciliation, inclusion and participation, the reconstruction of democracy, the promotion of fraternity and social friendship\u201d; as well as how we can regenerate relationships among Christians, with representatives of other Christian confessions, and with other social groups, with the organizations of civil society, and with popular movements.<\/p>\n\n

These concrete steps will take place \u201cwithin an historical context marked by epochal changes in society,\u201d beginning with the \u201cglobal tragedy\u201d of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led pre-existing inequalities and injustices \u201cto explode.\u201d At the same time, the document recognizes that the synodal process is being undertaken in which \u201cthe Church herself must face the lack of faith and the corruption even within herself,\u201d emphasizing that \u201cwe cannot forget the suffering experienced by minors and vulnerable people \u2018due to sexual abuse, the abuse of power, and the abuse of conscience\u201d committed by clergy.<\/p>\n\n

However, \u201cit is precisely in the furrows dug by the sufferings of every kind,\u201d the document continues, that \u201cnew languages of faith\u201d and \u201cnew paths\u201d flourish, in order to found anew \u201cthe path of Christian and ecclesial life.\u201d These are occasions to offer ample space for renewed participation and appreciation of the laity, and especially of women and young people, as requested by recent Synods.
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\nActive evangelizers<\/strong>
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\nWith regard to the laity, the document reiterates that all the baptized \u201care active participants in evangelization\u201d; and so it is essential that on the synodal path, pastors \u201cnot be afraid to listen to the Flock entrusted to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

In a synodal Church, it insists, quoting Pope Francis, everyone \u2013 \u201cthe faithful, the bishops, and even the Bishop of Rome himself\u201d \u2013 has something to learn, \u201call listening to each other, and all listening to the Spirit of truth.\u201d This includes a call to deepen our relationship with other Christian communities. \u201cA synodal Church,\u201d it says, \u201cis a prophetic sign, above all for a community of nations incapable of proposing a shared project, through which to pursue the good of all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

More concretely, the preparatory text proposes a series of questions to guide the consultation with the People of God, beginning with the fundamental question:<\/p>\n\n

“How is this ‘journeying together’ happening today in your particular Church?”
\nIt is necessary, therefore, to ask what experiences in one\u2019s own diocese this question brings to mind: \u201cWhat joys did they provoke? What difficulties and obstacles have they encountered? What wounds have they brought to light?… What are the prospects for change, and the steps to be taken?\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Levels of synodality<\/strong>
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\nThe document goes on to explain three levels of synodality: \u201cthe level of the style with which the Church ordinarily lives and works\u2026 the level of ecclesial structures and process\u2026 [and] the level of synodal processes and events in which the Church is convoked by competent authority.\u201d These three levels of articulation of synodality are distinct, but \u201cmust be held together in a coherent way; otherwise, a counter-testimony is transmitted, and the Church\u2019s credibility is undermined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

In this evaluation of experiences, account must also be taken in the particular Church of the internal relations between the faithful, pastors, parishes, and communities; but also between the bishops (among themselves and with the Pope), and with the intermediate bodies.<\/p>\n\n

One must also consider the integration of diverse forms of religious and consecrated life; of associations and movements; and of the various institutions, such as schools, hospitals, universities, foundations, and charities. Beyond internal relationships, it is important to consider external relations, and possible joint initiatives, with other religions, with those who are distant from any faith, and with the various spheres of politics, culture, finance, labour, trade unions, and minorities.<\/p>\n\n

Facets of lived synodality<\/strong>
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\nFinally, the preparatory document indicates ten \u201cthematic nuclei\u201d that \u201carticulate different facets of \u2018lived synodality\u2019.\u201d These core areas should be explored in greater depth in order to contribute in a richer way to the first phase of consultation:<\/p>\n\n

* The Journeying Companions: that is, reflecting on what we define as \u201cour Church,\u201d and on our \u201ccompanions,\u201d especially among the marginalized or those who are beyond the ecclesial boundaries;<\/p>\n\n

 * Listening: to young people, women, consecrated men and women, and those who are discarded or excluded;<\/p>\n\n

 * Speaking Out: considering whether \u201ca free and authentic style of communication, without duplicity and opportunism,\u201d is promoted within the community of the Church and in its institutions;<\/p>\n\n

 * Celebrating: thinking about how prayer and liturgy effectively inspire and guide our \u201cwalking together,\u201d and about how the active participation of the faithful can be promoted;<\/p>\n\n

 * Co-responsible in the Mission: reflecting on how the community supports members who are engaged in service, such as the promotion of social justice, human rights, or preserving our common home;<\/p>\n\n

 * Dialogue in Church and Society: rethinking places and means of dialogue in the particular Churches, with neighbouring Dioceses, with religious communities and movement, with various institutions, with non-believers, with the poor;<\/p>\n\n

 * With the Other Christian Denominations: what are our relations with our brothers and sisters of other Christian confessions? What areas are involved, and what are the fruits and the challenges of our relationships?<\/p>\n\n

 * Authority and Participation: how is authority exercised in our particular Church, what is the experience of teamwork; how are lay ministries promoted?<\/p>\n\n

 * Discerning and Deciding: asking what procedures and methods are used to make decisions; how the decision-making process is articulated with decision-taking; what tools are promoted for transparency and accountability;<\/p>\n\n

 * Forming Ourselves in Synodality: in essence, looking at the formation offered to those in positions of responsibility in the Christian community, to help them to be more capable of listening and dialogue.<\/p>\n\n

The Secretariat of the Synod is asking each Diocese to condense the fruit of their reflections into a maximum of ten pages, supplementing them, if necessary, with other supporting texts. The goal, it insists, \u201cis not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, prophecies, and hopes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

To learn more about the 2023 Synod on Synodality, we invite you to visit the official website of the Synod.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Vatican News Listening without prejudice; speaking out with courage and parrhesia; dialoguing with the Church, with society, and with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6575,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nouvelle"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6576"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6576\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}