Welcome to our blog, where we dive into the insightful reflections of our Editorial Director, Andrea Tornielli, on Pope Francis’ recent words to the clergy and religious of Belgium regarding the upcoming second session of the Synod on Synodality in October.
By Andrea Tornielli – Brussels
As we anticipate the commencement of the Synod, one burning question lingers in the air – what lies at the core of this synodal reform within the Church? What is its primary objective and significance?
In a gathering at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Koekelberg in Brussels, Pope Francis engaged with bishops, clergy, religious, and pastoral workers, articulating a poignant response by posing a fundamental query.
“The essence of the synodal process,” he emphasized after absorbing a testimony, “revolves around a return to the Gospel. It does not entail prioritizing ‘trendy’ reforms but rather pondering: ‘How can we effectively bring the Gospel to a society that seems to have veered away from the faith or closed its ears to its message?’ Let us all reflect on this question.”
This summons by Pope Francis emphasizes steering clear of superficial reforms. There is no room for endeavors that either lean towards functional changes that inadvertently exacerbate clerical dominance over the laity or lean towards restoring a bygone era tainted by neo-clericalism.
Both approaches undermine the pivotal question reiterated by Pope Francis – the proclamation of the Gospel in secular societies – leading astray from the paramount objective of any church reform: the salvation of souls and the nurturing of God’s devoted people.
By reinstating the core question posed by the Pope and spotlighting the well-being and guardianship of God’s people, it elucidates that synodality embodies the pathway to communal living within the Church.
Synodality doesn’t merely entail a bureaucratic duty adopted half-heartedly by clergy and laity, merely in rhetoric while clinging onto antiquated models. It doesn’t serve as a makeshift tool to validate worldly schemes.
Instead, synodality epitomizes a lived communion, where we can only shine as beacons for our fellow brethren when we acknowledge God’s unwavering love for us and joyfully embrace the Gospel. Knowing that we are all beckoned by a higher power, we realize that He is the guiding force within His Church.
