In the January/February issue of the Far East magazine, the regional director of the Columbans in Ireland, Fr Raymond Husband, writes in the Editorial:
Over the next two years we will hear a lot about synodality in our churches, parishes and in the Catholic media. The Far East magazine launches a new series of articles in this issue on the topic of synodality aimed at providing readers with some insights into the journey the global Church and the Church in Ireland is on.
Pope Francis officially opened the Synod on Synodality last October. Over the next two years there will be a series of local, regional, and continental phases of consultation concluding with the bishops meeting in Rome in October 2023. The Pope is inviting the entire Church to reflect on its mission in our world today.
According to the Venezuelan theologian Rafael Luciani, “Synodality is an invitation to foster processes of conversion as we listen to one another and larger society while reading the signs of the times together.”
A synodal perspective challenges the culture of clericalism and proposes a culture of dialogue and consensus.
Pope Francis has long called for a more synodal Church, a Church in which the voices of all are heard and respected. Above all, this process is about being open to the voice of the Holy Spirit as we journey together.
The Preparatory Document for a Synodal Church describes the process of synodality as being on a journey. It is about involving lay people in the discussion so that the future of the Church can be owned by all and not a privileged few.
“To journey together we need to let ourselves be educated by the Spirit to a truly synodal mentality, entering with courage and freedom of heart into a conversion process.”
Furthermore, the document states: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church in the third millennium.”
As Christians we are baptised into the life and death of Jesus, and it is from this we all receive our missionary mandate. Synodality is at the service of the Church’s mission, in which all members are called to participate by virtue of our common baptism.
A synodal Church is a Church going forth, a missionary Church whose doors are open to all.
Personally, I believe that if the synodal journey is to be effective, the voice of the poor and excluded must find a place in the consultation and discussions that are taking place. It is only then that we can truly claim that we are a synodal Church.
On behalf of all Columban Missionaries I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to you our readers for your continued support of the Far East magazine and the work of our missionaries. May 2022 bring you and your families many blessings.
Happy New Year!
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