‘Rethink the entire Church’ according to Synodality, theologian says

An Italian theologian underlined the need to “rethink the whole Church” upon reaching the consensus that the church is constitutively Synodal.

“The possibility of developing a style and a Synodal form of Church depends on the virtuous circularity of 'sensus fidei’ [sense of the faith], magisterium, and theology,” said Father Dario Vitali in his address to the 16th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod October 18.

The delegates have entered the discussion of the last part of Instrumentum Laboris, which centers on “the question of authority, its meaning, and the style of its exercise within a Synodal Church.”

Fr. Vitali, who serves as coordinator of expert theologians at the Synod, said that true exercise of Synodality will allow the Church “to think with patience and prudence about the necessary institutional reforms and decision-making processes that involve everyone in an exercise of authority that is truly suitable for the growth of the people of God, a mature and participating people in this horizon.”

He emphasized that Synodality will only work if all subjects, namely the people of God, the College of Bishops, and the pope articulate “dynamic unity, synodality, collegiality and primacy.”

“Rather than listing individual reforms, criteria must be indicated that can inspire a reform of the Church itself in a Synodal sense,” the theologian said.

Father Timothy Radcliffe, OP, former Master of the Order of Preachers, also addressed the assembly, focusing on “new processes, institutions, and structures” that must be implemented according to the Synod on Synodality.

He underlined the “endless institutional creativity” of the Church, which can help the faithful achieve fuller expression of themselves as Christians.

“What institutions do we need to express who we are as men and women of peace in an age of violence, inhabitants of the digital continent?” said Fr. Timothy. “Every baptized person is a prophet. How do we recognize and embrace the role of prophecy in the Church today? What about the prophetic voice of women, still often seen as ‘guests in their own house’?”

Meanwhile, Luxembourg Archbishop Jean-Claude Cardinal Hollerich, SJ, pointed out the urgent need to implement “small but sensitive changes” to the issues being discussed in the assembly, which more people find more interesting.

“[Lay Catholics] are wondering how this is possible in a Church that is still not very Synodal, where they feel that their opinion does not count and a few or just one person decides everything,” said the cardinal.

He also said that many people at the parish level are seeking guidance on what they must do to concretely experience missionary discipleship and co-responsibility in their lives and service.