Three significant events keep niggling in my head as I reflect on life over the last few months: the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the presidential election in the Philippines, and the Synodal process in the Church, writes Columban lay missionary, Angie Escarsa.
There might be no obvious relation between these three but if we reflect and discern, we can see some common denominators.
When Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spoke about the horrific invasion of Russia on 24 February 2022, people listened with dread as they considered the possibility of World War III. He spoke with conviction and pleaded with urgency for world leaders to help stop Putin’s war against his country. What is so sad about this is, that many people in Russia believe that Russia’s military are trying to de-Nazify Ukraine, to protect people subjected to what, Putin described as, eight years of bullying and genocide by Ukraine’s government.
It is disconcerting to see how people can be brainwashed about Putin’s real intention towards Ukraine through lies and propaganda. Indeed, he refuses to call it an invasion or war but a special military operation and a “noble” cause. Is it even possible in this context for many Russians to truly grasp what is happening, and why?
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday asked the world to pray for the people of Ukraine. More than forty days have passed and there is still no clear sign of an end to this barbaric attack, instead more innocent people are being killed including many children and old people. At the moment there are more than 30,000 Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.
Currently there is one Ukrainian lady who comes to the Columban Centre in Dublin for English lessons. For sure there will be more in the coming weeks and months. How do we reach out to them? It is a question that we as Columbans in Ireland need to deeply consider in order to discern an effective response to this challenge.
The presidential election in the Philippine occupied a lot of my attention over the last few months. What saddens me is the truth that many Filipinos continue to vote according to who is popular rather than to who can be a genuine servant of the people. What really disturbs me is the fact that the candidate who topped the poll is the son of the former dictator, who was not only convicted for tax evasion but who avoided attending every single one of the debates.
There are thousands of people, including a member of my own family, who outspokenly declare their support for him. I do not understand why they cannot see the truth and choose to continue to turn a blind eye to the arrogance and ignorance of this candidate.
Filipinos have to listen and discern not just for themselves but more importantly for the future of their children and their children’s children. To listen to the truth is paramount and to discern is crucial.
The synodal process in the Church also calls for an intentional listening and discernment. It is a high time for all Catholics to look closely at our experience of the church and be guided by the Holy Spirit in ensuring that we are on the right path.
Pope Francis has declared that synodality is what God expects of the Church in the 21st century. Synodality from the Greek word synodos; syn which means together and odos which means way.
But the question is are we taking seriously the call to this synodal process? Some people I know have very little faith about the process thinking it might just be one of those ticking the box moments in the church. Some fear the document from this process will just end up on the shelves collecting dust.
But this is a crucially important time for the Church. This is the time to truly listen and discern as we seek new ways of how we experience Church.
In Ireland this synodal journey has been given ample time where everyone has been encouraged to make an effort to be part of the conversation.
In February and in March, I had the privilege to join the Columban community in Dalgan in a fruitful and meaningful conversation as part of this synodal process from which some significant statements were written. The following are just but some of the vital areas that were highlighted:
A synodal Church needs to encourage and empower the laity. As ordained ministers, we acknowledge that we have been affected by a clerical mind-set which left little room for laity to exercise their proper and necessary roles in the Church life and ministry.
In so many of our communities, women are the indispensable leaders, and yet because of a male-dominated tradition their gifts for ministry have not been adequately tapped. On the synodal path, Jesus is the model for the Way and St. Columban’s motto “To be pilgrims for Christ” strikes a synodal notes for all of us. It is by listening we can achieve genuine discernment.