“For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission” is an invitation for the renewal of the church. An initial impression of the renewal gives a pessimistic notion when we reflect over the sense of mayhem prevalent in the church at large. More specifically we cannot keep away from the wight of a culture in the church imbued with clericalism, and more evidently the church being grappling with different types of abuses: be it power, economic, conscience and sexual, which are inextricably grafter in the authoritative pyramid of the church.
But trusting in the Holy Spirit who has been guiding the Church’s journey through history, till today gives us the hope that this Synodal journey “Journeying together” will be accompanied by the spirit.
As far as I understand, for this journey the church presents herself as a wounded healer, presenting her brokenness to the faithful it is walking with and wants to walk together. It is the utmost humbling expression.
The aforementioned initiative of humbling expression of the church has also many challenges to walk with, to make this idealized process of the renewal of the church into a reality.
The internalization of this humbling process by the church authorities at both local and global level, in the midst of clericalism seems to be the monstrous challenge to be addressed. Because I feel this is the underlying point and the baby step which has to be looked at in order to begin this journey.
As the preparatory document demands and the initiation process begins from listening to the Flock to feel the sensus fidei of the people of God by the Pastors who are entrusted with the magisterial function of being authentic guardians, interpreters and witnesses of the faith of the whole church by God.
In order to actualize this process of listening to the flock, it should be done as if we are listening to the Holy Spirit, in the spirit of truth.
I would like to compare this humbling process by the church authorities to that of the imagery of the King of Nineveh in the Bible who on seeking the renewal of the whole nation in longing to gain the confidence of God, was ready to dethrone himself from his vertical and authoritative pyramidical structures and was ready to put on sackcloth and sit on the ashes.
Thus, the rudimentary quality of a pastor would be being ready to dethrone oneself from the pedestal and get into the shoes of his/her flock. Because the election of the apostles is not the privilege of an exclusive position of power and separation, but a grace of an inclusive ministry of blessing and fellowship.
It is very appropriate to say that there is nothing higher in the church than Baptism. Because the proclamation of the Gospel is not addressed only to an enlightened or chosen few. Therefore, a synodal Church is a Church ‘going forth’ a missionary church ‘whose doors are open’.

Let us journey together…in the light of the gospel.

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