READERS REACT TO MY ARTICLE ON SYNODALITY AS A MODEL OF CHURCH GOVERNANCE

I have received some feedback from readers regarding an earlier article which I posted concerning a document published by the International Theological Commission.  

Entitled, Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church, the document not only explains, but more importantly, advances the concept of synodality, a manner of Church governance which has been particularly important in the discernment process and decisions of Pope Francis.

One reader suggests that the only pathway open to the future Church must be that of synodality.  The governance of the Church in matters of Faith and Morals as well as the institution itself must be synodal.  The reader suggests that this model of the Church, one in which the People of God are primary and the Clergy and Hierarchy exist to serve them is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and is the essential vision of the Church of which the Council Fathers of Vatican II wrote and spoke.

Another reader suggests that the movement of Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict away from the concept of collegiality and synodality has been largely to blame for the present crisis with the Church as regards the credibility and relevance of Bishops and Clergy.

In yet another comment, a reader suggests that Pope Francis is very much like the Greek mythological figure, Sisyphus, King of Ephyra who was punished by being forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll down when it nears the top, repeating this action for eternity.  He writes, “A Roman Curia steeped in the corruption which only absolute authority creates will never allow Pope Francis to succeed in establishing his much hoped-for paradigm shift in Church governance.”

Another quotes a recently published book about Pope Francis.  He states:  “The irony here is that Pope Francis, a celebrity-monarch, is trying to abolish both his monarchy and celebrity in his attempt to establish a more participatory model of Church governance."

On the 50th Anniversary of the Synod of Bishops in 2015, Pope Francis declared that synodality is the model which the Lord expects of the Church in the Third Millenium.

As my readers suggest, it will be an uphill battle every step of the way and one must wonder if Pope Francis has both the energy and the time to carry on the fight.

Unfortunately, the future of the Church hangs in the balance.

Once again, we turn to the Holy Spirit for His guidance, support and protection in the Providential Blessings and Grace the Church needs to fulfill its mission of being the Living Presence of the Lord Jesus in our day and time.