Nearly a year ago, Pope Francis began the process of the next Synod of Bishops. The Synod is the gathering of representative bishops who meet to advise the Holy Father in a continuing way on issues in the life of the Church. The theme as chosen by the Holy Father for the next Synod which will take place in October of 2023 is “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.” 

 

The first year of this process has been work on a diocesan level. All the dioceses of the world have been asked to gather in order to encounter each other, listen to each other’s needs and experiences of the Church and then to discern how to go forward faithfully in these times and circumstances to which we must respond in faith.

 

Along with the other dioceses in the United States, the Diocese of Rockford held an opening Mass on the Synod as well as discussions with consultative bodies and other groups. Letters and comments were also received at the chancery by mail and by email. From such comments, each diocese forwarded a summary of this listening to the Conference of Bishops in Washington. (The local diocesan summary was highlighted in the June 17 issue of The Observer and is available at https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/archives or at https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/archives) There, according to the desire of the Holy Father, a national summary has been prepared. That summary was made public last week. 

 

The national summary will now be used for what are termed continental meetings. In our case, the representatives of the bishops and Church in the United States will meet with counterparts in Canada so that a further contribution based on the summaries of both countries can be forwarded to the Synod organizers in Rome.

 

The United States National Summary can be found on-line at: https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/archives Several points might be drawn from it.

 

First, the participants in this process in the United States numbered approximately 700,000 people. Their contributions came through some 22,000 reports. This number is large and impressive, especially for a process that is being undertaken for the first time. At the same time, this represents only 1% of Catholics in our country.

 

Second, the summary is a response to a specific directive from Pope Francis. That was for the Church to gather in prayer and asking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we listen to each other’s experience of the faith. The national summary must be read in that context and with the understanding that it is a summary of many contributions. 

 

Additionally, such a process is going to result in a summary which indicates many things which were said, and many which were left unstated. It is therefore not a teaching instrument or a document articulating our faith. It is rather the result of listening which now requires reflection and discernment. Part of that discernment should be, in the context of the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church, to reflect on what was mentioned and what was not raised. In short, it gives an insight into what work we need to do to deepen the faith and the experience of faith in our time.

 

Pope Francis has also helped our understanding of such a Synod saying, “the Synod is not a parliament in which to reach a consensus or a common accord by taking recourse to negotiation, to deal-making, or to compromise: indeed, the only method of the Synod is to open oneself up to the Holy Spirit with apostolic courage, with evangelical humility and confident, trusting prayer, in order that He guide us, enlighten us and make us keep before our eyes, not our personal opinions, but with faith in God, fidelity to the Magisterium, the good of the Church and the salus animarum.”

 

We will certainly hear more about the Synod in the coming year. Let us ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the deepening of faith and the good of the Church.