Synod on Synodality kicks off with impulses for openness and unity

Two in-depth theological impulses kicked off the Synod on Synodality of the Catholic Church on Monday. In his contribution on Monday morning, the English Dominican priest Timothy Radcliffe called for a church that listens. The Synod on Synodality, with participants from all continents, will begin its deliberations on Wednesday. It will focus in particular on new forms of consultation and decision-making within the Church and giving non-clergy members a greater say.

As reported by the Vatican News portal, Radcliffe called on the Church to be present in a world characterised by darkness and division. The theologian spoke about the importance of questions in the search for faith. "Deep questions do not seek information, but invite us to live in a new way and speak a new language," he said. A church that was afraid of questions would be a dead church. In his speech, Radcliffe also addressed the role of women in the Church. The figure of Mary Magdalene in the Bible shows that the church must listen to the voices of women and people on the margins of society, he said. "Without her, they (the disciples) would not have gone to the tomb," he said. "They proclaimed that the Lord is risen".

Putting people on the margins at the centre

In the morning, Benedictine Maria Grazia Angelini had spoken about the question: "How can we be a missionary-synodal church?" She emphasised that Jesus is the best role model for the mission of the Church. His treatment of children and the disadvantaged is a guideline for every Christian. The answer to the question "How can we be a missionary-synodal church?" must therefore be: By placing those at the centre who are otherwise marginalised.

The synodal way of listening, consulting and deciding together should help to make the church more inclusive and open - especially for those who are on the margins of society or the church. All members of the Church - non-ordained believers, clergy and religious - must be included in order to shape the future together.

She counted differing opinions, cultural differences and generational conflicts among the current challenges. Without love and respect, there is a risk that these differences will lead to division. Jesus called on the Church to set out together - towards a Church that welcomes everyone, regardless of their origin, cultural background or age. The synodal path is not an easy one, but a necessary step to lead the church into a future in which it truly serves all people.

Grech: No general meeting of faith entrepreneurs

A theological welcoming address was given by the Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, among others. The Synod Secretary General urged the 300 or so synod members gathered in the Vatican to take the Virgin Mary as their role model. She had heard the will of God and obeyed it. As the German bishops put it in 1979, Mary laid the foundation for the Church in her acceptance of God's word. Everything that came afterwards, the ordained ministries, the sacraments and the mission of proclamation, presupposed this foundation. Without this foundation, the Church would merely be an organisation, said Grech.

He also quoted Pope Francis with the words: "Changes in the Church without prayer are not changes in the Church". Grech added: "Without prayer, we are not a synod, but merely a general meeting of faith entrepreneurs". As Benedict XVI had already taught, the Church is "not the work of our hands, but a work of God". The Church is, Grech continued, "a living organism that matures and grows in a mysterious way through the power of grace". Just like Mary, the Church is also fruitful when it allows the Holy Spirit to work in it before anything else.

Two further impulses were planned for Tuesday. A solemn act of penance was also planned for Tuesday evening , in which the Church was to confess its guilt in the face of mistakes. The handling of cases of abuse in the Church was also to be discussed. (mtr/KNA)