for a synodal church: communion, participation, and mission pdf

What are the points to be confirmed, the prospects for change, the steps to be taken? WebIn the Holy Spirit, living in all the faithful, each member of the Church is given a part in drawing the world into communion with Christ. They are able to communicate to the people on behalf of the Bishop, and they are also able to communicate from the people to the Bishop. We all have a role to play in discerning and living out Gods call for his people. For a Synodal Church It will be a time to reflect on ecology and peace, life issues and migration. Library : For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Instrumentum laboris of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly In addition to the more formal aspects of speaking and listening to one another, it is important that gatherings have informal moments as well. Who speaks on behalf of the Christian community, and how are they chosen? All are invited to speak with courage and parrhesia, that is, in freedom, truth, and charity. In the successive phases of the present Synod, they will be a liaison point for the episcopal conferences and continental gatherings, and can help the diocese remain engaged in the Synodal Process. The synodal journey unfolds within a historical context marked by epochal changes in society The first image emerges from the community scene that constantly accompanies the journey of evangelization, since the preaching ministry of Jesus: everyone finds their place the crowd, the apostles, and the Lord (PD, 17-21). A synodal church is a participatory and co-responsible Church. When and how do we manage to say what is important to us? What difficulties and obstacles have they encountered? Creating opportunities for dialogue in the Church and wider society. The diversity of the local Churches and their context and culture bring different gifts to the whole, enriching the entire Body of Christ. What are some limitations in our ability to listen, especially to those who have different views than our own? More than simply responding to a questionnaire, the diocesan phase is meant to offer as many people as possible a truly synodal experience of listening to one another and walking forward together, guided by the Holy Spirit. The Bishop can then review the diocesan synthesis in collaboration with the Diocesan Contact Person(s) before it is submitted to the episcopal conference. Some examples of publicity materials are provided on the website. 9) The temptation to listen only to those who are already involved in Church activities. Authentic discernment is made possible where there is time for deep reflection and a spirit of mutual trust, common faith, and a shared purpose. Further resources are available on the Synod website. The aim is not to answer all of the questions, but to choose those that are most relevant in your local context. In and from the local Churches exists the one unique Catholic Church (LG, 23). Discernment is a grace from God, but it requires our human involvement in simple ways: praying, reflecting, paying attention to ones inner disposition, listening and talking to one another in an authentic, meaningful, and welcoming way. The dicasteries of the Roman Curia offer their contribution, taking account of their respective particular areas of competence. The heart of the synodal experience is listening to God through listening to one another, inspired by the Word of God. o Reaching out through ecumenical and interreligious dialogue: To dream together and journey with one another throughout the entire human family. The feedback received from these local gatherings will then be compiled in an overall synthesis at the diocesan level. The Gospels refer to this as the crowd, composed of all the people who follow Jesus along the path and everyone that Jesus calls to follow him. Something of the experience of the local gathering should be conveyed in the feedback: the attitudes of the participants, and the joys and challenges of engaging together in discernment. There is no hierarchy between them. Three phases are foreseen, which will take place between October 2021 and October 2023. Communion: By is gracious will, God gathers us together as diverse peoples of one faith, through the covenant that e offers to his people. While awaiting the list of participants for the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme "For a Synodal Church: communion, participation, mission" (Oct 4-29, 2023), let's take a moment to explore the structural composition of the assembly body. [4] FRANCIS, Address at the Ceremony Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Institution of the Synod of Bishops (17 October 2015). Listening to the Holy Spirit and each other. It is not a mechanical data-gathering exercise or a series of meetings and debates. SYNODALITY IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH The Church in Aotearoa New Zealand 1. How can we foster a more synodal approach in our participation and leadership? WebFor a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission Facilitators Guide 7 Communication and Dialogue (Themes 3, 6, & 7) Introduction: For a synodal process that is focused on participatory opportunities for discussion and dialogue this grouping will look into how we accomplish these ideas on a regular basis. Pilgrimages, group activities, artistic expressions, and even coffee breaks can help to foster a sense of community through the experience of sharing life with one another. For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. - Where Peter Is Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 2021 Fr. WebThe Synod on Synodality: Communion, Participation, and Mission is a two-year process of listening and dialogue beginning in 2021 and concluding in 2023. Thus the teaching authority of the Pope and the bishops is in dialogue with the sensus fidelium, the living voice of the People of God (cf. The characteristic signs of a synodal How are the laity listened to, especially women and young people? The Diocesan Contact Person(s) and other persons and bodies that were involved in the diocesan phase can be helpful in this regard, including the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Presbyteral Council, and Parish Pastoral Councils. Therefore, the primary role of the diocesan Bishop in this Synodal Process is to facilitate the synodal experience of the whole People of God on the journey towards a more Synodal Church. The synod on synodality Pope Francis, in an address commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops, stated that the world in We also encourage you to integrate the theme of synodality and this Synodal Process of consultation into local or diocesan gatherings and meetings that are already planned, wherever possible. In fact, the whole Synodal Process aims at fostering a lived experience of discernment, participation, and co-responsibility, where a diversity of gifts is brought together for the Churchs mission in the world. Pope Francis has opened a synod on journeying together as a Church Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. Figure 1. The entire People of God shares a common dignity and vocation through Baptism. In this sense, the diocesan phase of the Synodal Process can enrich the existing pastoral agenda for the year 2021-2022, while also inspiring certain new elements. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. Listening is the first step, but it requires an open mind and heart, without prejudice. This gathering should seek wide representation from across the diocese with the aim of coming together to pray, listen, reflect, and discern the synodal path along which Gods Spirit is calling the whole diocese. For a Synodal Church Sensus Fidei in the Life of the Church, 74). It is contrary to the spirit of synodality to antagonize others or to encourage divisive conflicts that threaten the unity and communion of the Church. This is the ardent prayer of Jesus to the Father, asking for unity among his disciples. In responding to these questions, it is helpful to remember that journeying together occurs in two deeply interconnected ways. As we proceed along the journey of the Synod, we need to be careful that, while our discussions might be wide-ranging, the Synodal Process maintains the goal of discerning how God calls us to walk forward together. Discussion and Dialogue V. Participation and Mission VI. Participants Guide For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission We are encouraged to be The fullness of the Synodal Process can only truly exist with the involvement of the local Churches, requiring the personal involvement of the diocesan Bishop. The Bishop is invited to communicate with the respective bodies, organizations, and structures in the diocese, including the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Presbyteral Council, parishes, religious communities, lay movements, various pastoral ministries (such as in schools and hospitals), and diocesan commissions to encourage their participation in the Synodal Process and to request their help as is fitting. Understandably, embarking on this consultation process will evoke a range of feelings among pastoral leaders, from excitement and joy to anxiety, fear, uncertainty, or even scepticism. While awaiting the list of participants for the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme "For a Synodal Church: communion, participation, mission" For a Synodal Implementing, monitoring, and guiding the synodal consultation process. Background for this Synod 1.3What is the aim of this Synod? The theme of the Synod is For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. The three dimensions of the theme are communion, participation, and mission. How does our Church community identify the goals to be pursued, the way to reach them, and the steps to be taken? Communion Listening to the Holy Spirit and each other. The aim is not to overwhelm dioceses and parishes, but rather to integrate the Synodal Process into the life of the local Church in creative ways that promote deepen communion, fuller participation, and a more fruitful mission. How does our church community form people to be more capable of walking together, listening to one another, participating in mission, and engaging in dialogue? Some examples of activities that can be done together include a pilgrimage, social or charitable outreach, or simply sharing a meal with each other. Rather, the diocesan synthesis should be an honest report of all that was shared during the diocesan phase of the Synodal Process, representing the variety of views and perspectives of the People of God. Transmitting the fruits and diversity of the Synodal experience, b. These three dimensions are profoundly interrelated. Jesus, the Crowd, the Apostles. We must make a special effort to listen to those we may be tempted to see as unimportant and those who force us to consider new points of view that may change our way of thinking. The Second Vatican Council highlights that all human beings are called to the new people of God (LG, 13). Stimulus questions are suggested in the Questionnaire below (Part 5) to initiate and facilitate this experience of sharing and listening. 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). The unfolding of the Synodal Process at a local level must also involve: The Diocesan Contact Person(s) are encouraged to tap into the richness of the lived experience of Church in their local context. To facilitate the subsequent phases of the Synodal Process, it is important to condense the fruits of prayer and reflection into a maximum of ten pages. In this sense, videos, videoconferences, Scripture reflections, and prayers can be proposed to those who contribute individually, in order to more closely unite them to the experience of synodality. 3. What areas of mission are we neglecting? The Preparatory Document outlines two images from Scripture to inspire our journey of building a synodal Church. Pope Francis is asking each and every one of us to become involved in the synodal process leading up to the Synod of Bishops to be held in Rome in 2023. This requires us to think long-term. Satish Joseph This This journey together will call on us to renew our mentalities and our ecclesial structures in order to live out Gods call for the Church amid the present signs of the times. Objectives of the Synodal Process, 1.4 The theme for this Synod: Towards a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission, 2.2 A process that is truly Synodal: Listening, Discernment, and Participation, 2.3 Attitudes for Participating in the Synodal Process, 3.2 The role of Episcopal Conferences and Synods of Oriental Churches, 4. Synodality comes from a Greek word meaning the walking together (syn-) on a particular way (-hodos) The particular way has been defined by the Synod of Bishops in its process for the Synod 2023. Other texts can be attached to the diocesan synthesis in order to support or accompany its contents. This infographic displays the overall flow of the Synodal Process. Such nuanced reactions are often part of the synodal path. This change calls for a personal and communal conversion that makes us see things as the Lord does. In April 2021, Pope Francis initiated a synodal journey of the whole People of God, to begin in October 2021 in each local Church and culminating in October 2023 in the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Since this Synod aims to promote a new style of living out the communion, participation, and mission of the Church, the implementation phase will be crucial for walking forward together on the path of synodality. There is advice and resources on how to go about this on the Synod website. These may be voluntary or remunerated positions, and might be undertaken by person(s) already working within the diocese. 1) The temptation of wanting to lead ourselves instead of being led by God. It is strongly recommended that the consultation process in the diocese culminate in a Diocesan Pre-Synodal Meeting that includes a liturgical celebration. WebFOR A SYNODAL CHURCH: COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION, MISSION INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS For the First Session (October 2023) TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword The journey so far A working tool for the second phase of the synodal journey The structure of the text A. 4.1 Summary of what is envisaged in the diocesan phase. Do our decision-making methods help us to listen to the whole People of God? - Re-read these experiences in greater depth: What joys did they bring? For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission. For example, the synodal consultation within a parish can be overseen by a coordinator in that parish, working with a parish team. Following an opening celebration in Rome on Saturday, October 9, 2021, the diocesan phase of the Synod will begin on Sunday, October 17, 2021. Preparing group coordinators for the synodal consultation meetings. This person or team is also the liaison between the diocese and parishes, as well as between the diocese and the episcopal conference. Catholic Sat on Twitter With her, we say together as the People of God: Let it be with me according to your word (Luke 1:38). o Listening to each and every one: By learning from one another, we can better reflect the wonderful multi-faceted reality that Christs Church is meant to be. Together, they can prayerfully discern. For A Synodal Church The Diocesan Contact Person(s) will likely need to work with the collaboration of a core team, which can either be assembled through an open process of people expressing their interest, or by appointment of the diocesan Bishop. The General Secretariat for the Synod has published this Vademecum (or handbook) to indicate the guiding principles that will direct the path of the Synod on Synodality. The Church in Aotearoa New Zealand 1. The ministry of priests and deacons has two vital points of reference: on one hand, the diocesan Bishop; and on the other hand, the people entrusted to their pastoral care. How do they inspire the most important decisions? For this reason, you are encouraged to root the local experience of the Synodal Process in meditation on Scripture, the liturgy, and prayer. There must be a clear focus on the participation of the poor, marginalized, vulnerable, and excluded, in order to listen to their voices and Appointing the Diocesan Contact Person(s). 4) The temptation of focusing only on structures. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. The Synod website provides suggestions on how to pose these questions to various groups of people in simple and engaging ways. Thus the objective of this Synodal Process is not only a series of exercises that start and stop, but rather a journey of growing authentically towards the communion and mission that God calls the Church to live out in the third millennium. The General Secretariat publishes the Preparatory Document and the Vademecum as tools for the local Churches to carry out the diocesan phase of the Synod. WebFor a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. After all, this Synodal Process is not the end but a new beginning. That they may all be one (John 17:21). 31): The purpose of the first phase of the synodal journey is to foster a broad consultation process in order to gather the wealth of the experiences of lived synodality, in its different articulations and facets, involving the Pastors and the Faithful of the [local] Churches at all the different levels, through the most appropriate means according to the specific local realities: the consultation, coordinated by the Bishop, is addressed to the Priests, Deacons and lay Faithful of their [local] Churches, both individually and in associations, without overlooking the valuable contribution that consecrated men and women can offer (EC, 7). Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, the first word of the original Latin, meaning, We stand before You, Holy Spirit, which has been historically used at Councils, Synods and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years, and is attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560 - 4 April 636). CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND We see throughout the Gospels how Jesus reaches out to all. It requires us to learn and exercise the art of personal and communal discernment. Synodality does not exist without the pastoral authority of the College of Bishops, under the primacy of the Successor of Peter, as well as the pastoral authority of each diocesan Bishop in the diocese entrusted to his care. They are agents of communion and unity in building up the Body of Christ, helping the faithful to journey together, walking forward with one another in the midst of the Church. Synodality: Communion, Participation and Mission This Synodal Process need not be seen as an overwhelming burden that competes with local pastoral care. We are clay in the hands of the divine Potter (Isaiah 64:8). In a spiritual sense, discernment is the art of interpreting in what direction the desires of the heart lead us, without letting ourselves be seduced by what leads us to where we never wanted to go. WebFor a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission FOCUS QUESTION synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, journeys together. How is this journeying together Pope Francis made this clear when he issued a direct invitation to all the People of God to contribute to Church efforts towards healing: every one of the baptised should feel involved in the ecclesial and social change that we so greatly need. Solidarity can be organized between dioceses to provide financial assistance and human resources as needed. For a Synodal Church There are excellent resources available from those local Churches that have already embarked along this journey, such as the Methodological Guide for the Ecclesial Assembly of the Latin American Episcopal Conference and the Plenary Council of Australia and its key documents. Listening to one another is enriched by knowing each other and sharing life together. What do we share and how do we journey together? FOR A SYNODAL CHURCH At the same time, the experience of synodality should not focus first and foremost on structures, but on the experience of journeying together to discerning the path forward, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Each listening phase will be adapted to local circumstances. The work of evangelization and the message of salvation cannot be understood without Jesus constant openness to the widest possible audience.

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