by Tom Magill

The Synod Office in Rome announced on 17 February that the second session of the Synod on Synodality will take place between 2-17 October of this year. The preparatory framework was agreed upon by Pope Francis and Cardinal Grech the previous day. When the final synodal report is issued and handed to Pope Francis, the XVI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be concluded. If the Pope continues the custom of past Synods, he will respond to the final report with an Apostolic Exhortation, thus continuing his magisterial teaching on Synodality.

The themes of the next session have not yet been announced but it does seem that they will be more focused than those of last year’s assembly. Moreover, there is an expectation in the Holy See that the participants produce clear proposals for the Holy Father’s consideration. Most likely, this is in response to the last session’s leaving so many topics for further reflection.

In the meantime, we at parish and diocesan level have been asked to respond to the Synthesis Report from that last session, A Synodal Church in Mission. Even though the preparatory framework has been agreed upon and certain themes will already be emerging, there is still time for our voices to be heard by the Synod Office.

The Synthesis Report was very clear in certain areas about what needed to be attended to. The following is a list of many of the proposals, some of which could be the focus for reflection and discernment in parish groups.

deeper involvement of bishops, priests and deacons in the synodal process;

the need for the liturgy to be celebrated with beauty, simplicity, and authenticity;

the importance of liturgical language being accessible to everyone;

the widening of community prayer beyond Mass;

the pressing need for renewal in the formation of clergy with emphasis on sharing a common life with and serving poor and marginalised people;

formation of all ordained ministry in light of the synodal and missionary dimensions of the Church so that the formation itself is done in synodal style;

a deeper understanding of the teachings of the 2nd Vatican Council and Catholic Social Teaching, especially regarding integral human ecology;

acknowledgment of lay charisms and ministries especially among the young; the participation of women in decision-making processes and their taking on roles in pastoral care and ministry, the judicial courts of the Church, and seminary formation;

liturgical language which is inclusive and scripture choices in the Lectionary which reflect the experiences of women;

an assessment of how the permanent diaconate has been implemented since the 2nd Vatican Council, not least because the ministry at times finds specific expression in the liturgy rather than in service to those living in poverty and who are needy in the community;

joint formation of the entire People of God;

a culture of accountability at all levels of Church life with Episcopal Councils, Diocesan Pastoral Councils and Parish Pastoral Councils to be mandatory;

outreach to those who feel excluded from the Church.

Dr Tom Magill is a priest of Motherwell Diocese