By Matters India Reporter

New Delhi, May 4, 2022: The Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (ISPCK), a Protestant group, and Jesuit-managed Vidyajyoti College of Theology have published a book on synodality.

Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto of Delhi released “No Synodality Without” May 3 at a function organized by Vidyajyoti at Yusuf Sadan, the Catholic cathedral campus in New Delhi.

The archbishop handed over the first copy to Chetan Khurana, founder and director, Skills Reform private limited, New Delhi and the second copy to Mridula Rashmi Kindo, of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi.

In her address, ISPCK associate general secretary Ella Sonawane recalled the long-standing ecumenical collaboration of her society and the Jesuit theologate in promoting Christian literature for peace and harmony in a divided world.

Jesuit Father Valan C. Antony, who introduced the book, said Jesuit theologian Teilhard de Chardin had imagined the idea of the Omega Point (a maximum level of complexity and consciousness towards which he conceived the universe was evolving). Today Pope Francis, in a Teilhardian style, has come up with a universally unifying theme, Synodality.

“As you read this book, you notice the angst felt for the Church, the desire to make a difference, and the challenge to make our vocation meaningful, to engage in a participatory evangelizing enterprise, and to appreciate and uphold all that is truly human using synodal lens,” Father Valan said.

The following are the highlights of the book:
• the reflections emerge from a wide spectrum of people: bishop, theologians, academicians, lay people, youth, children, people of other faiths, inter-denominational, inter-ritual and human rights activists.
• New perspectives such as ‘Synodal God,’ revisiting the patristic fathers, and the synodal need to include and incorporate every authentic seeker and truth etc…
• Contextual reflection of subaltern concerns color the book’s radical churnings, while three articles by young seminarians, religious and children typify the representational rationale of the paradigm.
• Theological viewpoints and perspectives emerged from the rich group discussions capture the much-needed synodal synergy.

Buoyed by nuanced perspectives on synodal way of thinking, theologizing and living, No Synodality Without… is a compilation of articles and perspectives that provoke us further into the nature of God, People and Creation and our commitment to them.

This year, Vidyajyoti College celebrates 50 years of its journey (1972-2022) from Kurseong to Delhi. Releasing of No Synodality Without…sets the tone and momentum for yet another grace-filled jubilee year, Father Valan said.