By Francis Gonsalves
Pune, May 8, 2022: Since its launch in all dioceses worldwide in October 2021, the synod 2021-2023 entitled ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’ has evoked mixed responses ranging from excitement and optimism to indifference and cynicism.
The Synod inaugurations in the Indian dioceses of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI, Latin rite) were followed by consultations of cross-sections of people: lay faithful, youth, children, diocesan clergy, religious men and women, the elderly and infirm, seminarians, the poor and peripheral, lapsed Catholics and so on.
“The synod is an ecclesial event and its protagonist is the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit is not present, there will be no synod,” said Pope Francis during his ‘moment of reflection’ while launching the synodal consultations on October 9, 2021. Viewing how processes have unfolded in diverse dioceses, there is no doubt that the omnipresent Spirit “blows where it wills” (Jn 3:8).
“The synodal journey is helping us, disciples of Jesus, to get back to the roots of our faith, striving constantly to become the good news of the Risen Lord,” says CCBI president, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa and Daman, stressing Our Lord’s call ‘to be’ good news.
Post-Easter, with the consultations in most dioceses completed, many of the dioceses are conducting their pre-synods involving many participants. Some of the (arch)dioceses that have already conducted their synods are Delhi, Miao, Goa, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Amravati, Poona, Vasai, Sindhudurg, Udupi and Chengleput, among others.
India being a ‘country of youth’ it’s imperative that the voices of our youth are heard. Thus, the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) organized their National Conference in Nadiad, Gujarat, from April 26 to May 1, 2022, attracting four hundred and thirty-seven youth who prayed, and shared their stories and experiences on the theme, ‘Youth for a Synodal Church’.
“The experience was very fruitful,” says Jyotsna D’Souza, ICYM president, “since synodal stories, experiences and opinions were not only shared during group-sessions alone, but interestingly overflowed into meal-times, free breaks and outings.”
Having held consultations with the elderly in Poona diocese, Verenne Viegas, a counselor, says, “The elders are happy that the church-community accepts their expertise and services since it gives them a sense of belonging.” This echoes Pope Francis’ view that the elders have much to contribute to society, having started a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
Sister Inigo, a member of the Central Coordinating Team who visits Delhi’s Tihar Jail regularly , says, “In my visits to the prison, I’ve experienced real synodality as the inmates are from different faiths, denominations, castes, regions, languages and cultures—but wounded and seeking healing.” She adds, “This synod has become a life-affirming process … and, in synodal listening and dialogue, I feel glad to give love that restores life, hope and healing to prisoners.”
Understandably, smaller dioceses have been better able to reach all families. Francis Saldanha from the Sindhudurg diocese opines: “The strategy, planning and execution was good. We could reach out to each and every family of the diocese; and also to members of other denominations and religions.” Reiterating this view was Diocesan Contact person, Father Alex D’Mello who, commending the cooperation of all, says, “The faithful are beginning to feel that they have an important role in the life of the church.”
Those who have been actively involved as coordinators of synodal consultations attest that they have, indeed, experienced the stirrings of God’s Spirit. Gauravi Xavier, professor at Gujarat Technological University, says, “The synodal process has encompassed every aspect of human dimension and society, it has helped us to introspect not only spiritually but also as a community, compelling everyone to listen to the Spirit and each other with love and compassion.”
While a big majority have listened to the Spirit and to others with love and compassion, one also hears occasional dissenting voices of those like the hierarch [name withheld] who finds it cumbersome to convoke a synod and says, “We can submit our diocesan pastoral plan instead of consulting all our people!” or the cleric who pontificates that “nothing will change!” These, Pope Francis observed, “put the Spirit in a cage” and are “pouring new wine into old wineskins,” respectively.
British author and papal biographer Austen Ivereigh is convinced that this synod is “the biggest consultation exercise in human history.” Listening to stakeholders across 132 Latin-rite dioceses in India is a mammoth exercise, and the Central Coordinating Team will also face a herculean task in striving to summarize the fruits of the consultations for the end-July 2022 CCBI national synod.
Listening to diverse voices one is reminded of Pentecost (Acts 2) when God’s Spirit created harmony from the myriad tongues which the Lord’s disciples preached in. It is that same Spirit who is alive and active today. Trustingly, we pray, “Veni Sancte Spiritus! Come, Holy Spirit! Teach us the way we must go ….” and we will follow.
(Jesuit Francis Gonsalves is the coordinator of the CCBI Synodal Central Coordinating Team)
Thanks Francisbhai for enlightening us on Synodal journey so far.