‘Embracing diversity in unity,’ says priest at Synod Retreat

Father Timothy Radcliffe, Dominican Friar and former Master of the Order of Preachers, urged participants of the Synod to embrace cultural diversity as central to the Church’s mission during his meditation on “Resurrection Fishing” at the Synod Retreat. 

His reflection, based on John 21:1–14, highlighted the importance of drawing people from every corner of the world into the Church, likening this mission to a fisherman’s net filled with 153 fish, symbolizing the abundance of cultures represented in the Church.

Addressing bishops, religious, and lay participants gathered ahead of the Second Session of the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Radcliffe emphasized that cultural diversity is not a coincidence but a reflection of God’s providence. 

“We await a new Pentecost in which each culture speaks in its own native tongue and is understood,” Radcliffe said, as cited in the Vatican News, underscoring that the Church’s universality depends on its ability to transcend cultural boundaries while maintaining unity.

Radcliffe acknowledged the challenges the Church faces in navigating cultural differences, including the dangers of power imbalances and the legacies of colonialism. 

He called on participants to approach these conversations with humility and respect, recognizing the value each culture brings to the Church. 

Quoting an African proverb, he said, “Until the lion learns to write and speak, the hunt will always glorify the hunter,” reminding the assembly that voices from marginalized cultures must be heard.

This gathering, Radcliffe said, is a vivid manifestation of the Church’s universality and offers a unique opportunity for healing and growth.

“Every culture has a way of seeing the Stranger on the beach and saying, ‘It is the Lord,’” he remarked, calling for an embrace of interculturality, a concept previously emphasized by Pope Benedict XVI as the reciprocal sharing of cultural richness.

Radcliffe also warned against any single culture dominating another, emphasizing the importance of fostering “the room between”—a space of mutual respect where cultures can interact without losing their identity. 

He described this process as essential to true intercultural dialogue, fostering unity while preserving cultural distinctiveness.

The fishing metaphor Radcliffe invoked—a net filled with fish from diverse cultures—symbolized the Church’s mission of inclusion.

 “The unbroken net signifies that the Church, despite its diversity, holds together through the shared faith in Christ,” Radcliffe said, stressing that this unity is not enforced by power but by the “attractiveness of the Lord” who draws all people to himself.

As the Church continues to face the complexities of a globalized, post-Western world, Radcliffe’s reflection served as a call to action for Synod participants: to recognize the presence of Christ in each other, no matter their cultural background, and to embrace the beauty of diversity as the Church moves forward in its mission.

This retreat is intended for participants of the Second Session of the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, October 2. - With Inputs from the Vatican News