“The Pope emphasized the importance of maintaining the compassionate and inclusive gaze of Jesus to guide the church in its path”
The significance of this Synod lies in its groundbreaking overhaul, aimed at ensuring a more inclusive representation of voices and spanning multiple years.
It strives to promote diversity and collect input from a wide spectrum of Catholics.
Pope Francis underscores the role of the Holy Spirit and the paramount importance of active listening within this process.
The hesitancy surrounding the Synod likely stems from the unfamiliarity of this restructured format and the changes it introduces.
However, the Synod’s core objective is to engage the entire Church community in shaping its future, rendering it a momentous event for all Catholics.
Pope Francis aims to underscore that every faithful member shares in the responsibility for this journey, with their support being essential, primarily through prayer.
The Synod on Synodality marks a significant milestone in the Church’s history, as it endeavors to involve Catholics from all walks of life in steering the Church’s course while fostering unity and meaningful dialogue.
Speaking in St. Peter’s Square for the Synod’s opening Mass on Oct. 4, Pope Francis underlined that “the primary task of the synod” is to “refocus our gaze on God, to be a Church that looks mercifully at humanity.”
“We do not want to make ourselves attractive in the eyes of the world, but to reach out to it with the consolation of the Gospel, to bear witness to God’s infinite love in a better way and to everyone,” he said.
On October 4, Pope Francis formally inaugurated the Vatican summit addressing the future trajectory of Catholicism.
He encouraged all participants, whether they were bishops or laypeople, to reject the pull of strict doctrinal rigidity and, instead, embrace a vision of the church characterized by inclusivity and a hospitable attitude toward all.
Pope Francis stated, “The gracious and welcoming gaze of Jesus shields us from succumbing to dangerous temptations: the temptation of becoming a church entrenched in inflexibility, defensive against a changing world, and fixated on the past; the temptation of becoming a lukewarm church that conforms to fleeting worldly trends; the temptation of becoming a weary church that turns inward.”
Approximately 450 delegates from around the world have gathered in Rome for this momentous event, representing a diverse range of perspectives and often contentious divisions on pressing issues facing the church.
These matters encompass clergy abuse, the role of women in ministry, the inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics, and various inquiries into the church’s structure of authority.
Thus, the Synod is poised to address significant matters that could reshape the future of Catholicism. Included on the agenda are discussions about the potential inclusion of women in ordained ministry within the Church, strategies for greater inclusivity of LGBTQ Catholics, and the topic of priestly celibacy.
The Pope acknowledged that there are concerns among some individuals regarding the Synod, nevertheless, he urged them to bear in mind that this event is not a political assembly, but rather a gathering inspired by the Spirit.
It is not meant to resemble a divided parliamentary session; instead, it is intended to be a space of grace and communion.
He emphasized that the Holy Spirit often defies our expectations to bring about something new that surpasses our predictions and pessimism.
Through the process of “synodal dialogue,” the Pope stated that we can cultivate unity and a deeper connection with the Lord.
This will enable us to confront the challenges of today through His perspective.
It is an invitation to be a church that does not burden others but welcomes everyone with open arms.
The Pope warned against certain perilous temptations, including becoming a rigid church that isolates itself from the world and fixates on the past, or becoming a complacent church that conforms to worldly trends.
He also cautioned against becoming a weary church that becomes inward-focused.
Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the compassionate and inclusive gaze of Jesus to guide the church in its path.