SoS Sat Report: Women see things that others cannot see

News from Day 13 of the Synod on Synodality

The Synod continues the discussion on what the Instrumentum Laboris terms “Pathways,” which to you and me is just proposing changes to the decision making processes in the Church, so that they are more Synodal. The proposals look a lot like what is already being done, but more on that later.

The importance of hearing the experiences of the Church in different contexts was emphasised. This means that one size doesn’t fit all. A bishop from China, spoke to this end, noting the problems that sometimes arise in finding harmony between Christian traditions and local practices and laws. Of all the people, he would know.

The IX General Congregation of the Synod on Synodality on Monday (Credit: Vatican Media)

One intervention said that in the past the “Church has rejected diversity and complementary between cultures”, with one of the suggestions being that the universal Church should follow the example of the Amazon Ecclesial Conference, or African church that are showing vitality. “Learn from the new Churches, such as those of Africa, and not impose on them new experiences which are often made in the Churches of the West.”

Another thing that was highlighted on the Synod floor, is that the “State has taken possession of schools, and agendas opposed to Church teaching are being imposed” on our children. It is good to know that in the midst of everything, timely, important issues are still being raised at this Synod.

A Synod on Women in the Church

The Synod is on Synodality, but by far the biggest single topic being addressed is women. The topics of “violence suffered by women religious, abuses of sexual nature and abuses of power.” One wonders if Rupnik was mentioned by name, I would be very surprised if he wasn’t. May God bless the delegate who brought this up. A “patriarchal attitude in society” was blamed for inaction against the perpetrators of abuse against women, with calls that “procedures and systems need to be introduced to prevent” this.

It was also underlined that “most seminaries lack the presence of women, whether consecrated or lay, who are involved in the formation of priests,” adding that the “participation of women, who see things that others cannot see, guaranteed a balanced formation.”

More broadly on the need for more lay participation, one Synod delegate said that there is a “need to set up boards of lay persons”, with the words “authoritative” and “experienced” emphasised, as “not to burden those in positions of responsibility, but to assist bishops and those in positions of authority.” How this works in practice is the question. Are these positions paid or voluntary? Do the right, competent, people have the time and desire to take up these roles? This may sound arrogant, but just like how an incompetent bishop can destroy a once prosperous diocese, so not having the right personnel have the same effect.

On the these lay boards, it was highlighted that “many of the wrong decisions made in the past and in the present” on clerical sexual abuse “were taken by bishops who were probably isolated and under pressure.” To this end it was proposed that “advisory committees” could be established “for the bishop to have at his disposal, not only to strengthen, protect and prevent” abuse but also in the “event that priests who were accused but found innocent need to be reinstated.” It was stated by a Synod delegate that “there is a lot of resistance when a priest is found innocent”, and that his reintegration into ministry could be aided if this was also approved by a board comprised of “psychologists, parents of abused children, and social workers.”

Transparency

“Transparency is a fundamental element in a synodal church, especially with regards to the protection of vulnerable people and finances”, said a Synod delegate, adding that “basing itself on the Gospel, the priority is to be accountable to God and the community, not to fall into the traps where we are accountable to parties not related to Gospel values.” *nods*

It was emphasised that these potential lay boards are “not board of directors but the mystical body of Christ and the holy people of God.”

The topic of a reform of the Code of Canon Law was also raised, with many saying that it needs updating in light of Synodality, including the possible mandatory requirement of the formation of permanent Diocesan Synods. Nothing says mission and evangelisation like more bureaucracy. Another delegate however emphasised that Canon Law is a “shield protecting the most vulnerable.”

Finally, from the interventions we were told about by the Synod’s Information Commission, the formula of St. Cyprian was invoked as a model of Synodality; “nothing without the personal responsibility of the bishop, nothing without the advice of presbyters, and nothing without the consent of the people of God.”

The Synod is like Pentecost

At today’s Press Conference we were graced with the presence of Archbishop Zbigņevs Stankevičs of Riga, Latvia, Bishop Edouard Sinayobye of Cyangugu, Rwanda, and Sister Gloria Liliana Franco Echeverri, O.D.N., President of the Latin American Confederation of Religious.

Sr Liliana a veteran of many Synods, underlined that this morning’s discussions in the hall revolved around transparency, “not as tools, but as a culture that must exist in the Church,” to the point of being the identity of the Church.

Bishop Sinayobye of Cyangugu said that the “Synod is comparable to what the apostles lived and experienced in the Upper Room at Pentecost.” He was also asked by a journalist about the permanent diaconate, and if he would be amenable to the hypothetical scenario where Pope Francis allows the women to be ordained deacons in a specific country or region but not in Africa. Bishop Sinayobye began his response by saying there are no