by Tom Magill

With the publication in Italian of the final document of the 16th Synod of bishops, the Synod on Synodality has reached its conclusion. Pope Francis has accepted the document in full and in exemplary synodal manner has chosen not to follow it up with the customary papal Apostolic Exhortation. The document therefore is now part of the Ordinary Magisterium of the Church and clearly teaches that synodality must be accepted as constitutive of the Church.

This is an important ecclesiological development, the theological implications of which will gradually emerge over time.  Starting now, however, all local Churches and Bishops’ Conferences are urged to embed this synodal way of consultation and discernment into their affairs.  The document states that there should be regular evaluation of the progress made in the inclusion of all the baptised in the synodal process. Personnel and resources must be assigned to this evaluation with regular liaison with the Synod Secretariat in Rome (Final Document 9).  While the document does not prescribe how this will be done, one can imagine each diocese and conference setting up a synodal commission for this purpose.

It is abundantly clear in this final text that synodality is not for its own sake but for the purpose of mission. All the baptized individually and collectively are called to engage in the missional purpose of the Church (FD 4). ’Mission throws light on synodality, and synodality drives mission’ (FD 32). This is a Church no longer closed in on itself or concerned with her rights and entitlements, but a Church going out in service to the world.

Time and again reference is made to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church. Synodality is presented as the Church’s response to this crisis. It is the concrete manifestation not only of deep sorrow and apology but also of the deep conversion that the Church is undergoing in her way of doing things. This link must never be broken. Indeed, to reject this teaching on synodality is to argue that the Church’s way of living and working has no need of change.

Each section of the document begins with a scripture reflection, thus showing that its teaching is rooted in the Word of God. The conclusion offers a beautiful reflection on the theme of banquet described in John 21 and Isaiah 25:

’As we walk together in a synodal manner, in the interplay of our vocations, charisms, and ministries, we go to encounter everyone with the joy of the Gospel. We live out that Communion which brings salvation: communion with God, with the whole of humanity, and with the entire creation. So we begin even now to experience, thanks to this Participation, the banquet of life God offers to all peoples’ (FD 154).

Conversion is the theme which structures the whole document and around which the five chapters are developed. It calls for a conversion which is spiritual, relational, procedural, institutional, and missionary. It is this conversion in all its aspects which will drive the major calls of the Synod: baptism as the basis for synodality, expanded roles for women, lay participation in decision-making, decentralisation of Church authority, and significant structural reform.

Dr Tom Magill is a retired priest of the Diocese of Motherwell.