The Synodal Process

“The first phase of the Synodal Pathway journey is now complete in the Diocese of East Anglia, including over 1,000 responses via the online survey, many parish meetings and reports and two online events run by Caritas East Anglia.   

 “The next phase of synthesising the responses for the final report has now begun, according to Dcn Huw Williams, who is part of the Synodal Pathway diocesan team. He said: ‘We would like to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to the synodal pathway process. We received 1031 responses via the online survey, which is a wonderful result.’    

“A Diocesan meeting is planned for Saturday May 14, 11am to 3pm, at the Cathedral in Norwich to which all parish priests and parish coordinators are invited.…    

“In February, Caritas East Anglia held two online events as its contribution to the Pathway. Caritas Development Worker Jacinta Welch made contact with various groups and spoke on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and BBC Radio Norfolk about the events.  Jacinta said: ‘The Vademecum – the handbook for the Synod – repeatedly instructs us to seek out and listen to those on the margins. Jesus puts those on the margins at the centre of His ministry and Pope Francis speaks of them being the centre of the Church. It was with this in mind that Caritas worked to reach out to these children of God – our sisters and brothers in Christ.’…    

“’We welcomed people who feel they are on the margins of the Church, alongside people who were unable to join parish events,’ said Jacinta. ‘We prayed together, listened to one another and reflected on what we had heard. All were then encouraged to complete the Diocesan Synod Survey.’    

’A wide range of topics were covered, a report of which has been submitted to the Diocesan Synodal Pathway Team for inclusion in the Diocesan Report.’  

“Feedback after the events was very positive. One participant said: ‘Thank you for organising the recent consultation. I appreciate the effort that Caritas East Anglia is making to engage with those who no longer regularly attend church.’  

“Jacinta said: ‘May we as a diocese continue to reach out, to welcome, listen to and support the poor and the marginalised, so all God’s children are at the table.’” 

              With Permission, Diocese of East Anglia, Catholic East Anglia, April 2022, pg. 2

“CARJ works with people of diverse backgrounds, to create a more just, more equal, more cooperative society.     

“The synodal process, has been an opportunity for [CARJ] to take stock and consider the path ahead. Despite issues of racial justice repeatedly hitting the headlines these past couple of years, the reaction (with the emphasis on action) from the baptised has sometimes been limited. With parishes suffering an accelerated and continued decline in Mass attendance since the pandemic, while ethnic groups are faithfully returning, we at CARJ have been asking, ‘Is it finally time to tackle the elephant in the room?’     

“As with many parishes and associations throughout England and Wales, CARJ took up the Church's invitation to enter into the 'synodal' conversations towards the end of last year. CARJ has recently shared with the Bishops' Conference, its report from their own reflective discussions. The report sheds light on the missed opportunities for empowerment, the mythical commitments to anti-racism, the implications of homogenous leadership (lay and religious), and the compounding, structural issues that many of us face.    

 “We are grateful for the opportunity given by the bishops to enter into dialogue. Racial injustice can be experienced and perpetuated at every level of the Church but likewise, every Catholic however limited in power they may feel, has the power and calling to increase inclusion and live in communion. We hope and pray that we will continue to journey forward together, for the advancement of the mission of the Church.”

                            With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Nalini Nathan, 15th Feb. 2022

                             https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/44070 

“Since the Church was convoked to a Synod with the motto: For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission, some may have felt uncertain as to what role they were being asked to play. Rafael made clear in his thought-provoking and energising talk that, for all in the Church, whether lay, relijhhgious or clergy, this was a Kairos moment.  

“Describing the Synod as the most important time in the current phase of the reception of the second Vatican council under the pontificate of Pope Francis, he said it was a great and challenging call for the Church to embrace change and reform into a new ecclesial model for the third millennium. He said it called for a deepening of ecclesiology of the people of God and that Pope Francis had said that the path of synodality is the path that God expects from the Church in the third millennium.  

“Rafael explained that it was also being done in a context of urgency to renew ecclesial life. He said this could be done by adhering to two simple but challenging attitudes: by taking advice and by building consensus….  

“Rafael said that the rich diversity of the Church's members could lead to a communal way of proceeding. A listening process which involves praying, listening, analysing, dialoguing and advising is not simply a way to get to know each other better. It is a way to work together so that pastoral decisions can be made. It is one of the aspects that define the meaning and goal of a synodal process….  

“This ideal of co-responsibility between the faithful and their Bishop is the template of what the Synod is aiming towards.”

                  With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Kate Hardie, 19 January 2022

                                                                     https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/43891

In preparation for the 2023 meeting of Bishops the Catholic Church is entering Church-wide consultation process (More info on flyer on this website.) Tom Caple is our Parish lead and contact person for this important process. Please speak to him for more information. 

 "The ten questions are to be considered by parishes ...  

as the Diocese embarks on the Synodal Pathway are:  

1 How welcoming is our parish? 

2 How good are we at listening?  

3 How good are we at communicating? 

4 How well does the Church’s liturgy inspire a deeper encounter with the Risen Lord?  

5 How well do I understand and participate in the mission of the Church? 

6 How well do we engage with the wider world?  

7 How good is our relationship with other Christian traditions?

 8 How well do we work as a team in our parish?  

9 How open are we to the will of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? 

10 How well do we hand on the faith?" 

                                (With permission) Keith Morris, Dec 3rd 2021, Diocese of East Anglia 

             https://www.rcdea.org.uk/bishop-alan-to-launch-synodal-pathway-online-survey/

“Our Justice and Peace group in Westminster Diocese was unsure if there was to be any parish engagement in the synodal process so we held a discussion amongst the 10-15 members of our group.…  

“We discussed the strengths and disappointments we had found in our faith and faith community. In the 'positive' balance sheet, we cited how the pandemic had amplified our sensitivities to inequalities in society and the extraordinary generosity elicited; the joy of working for common aims, in solidarity and ecumenically; the potential influence the Church has for positive change; and the fact that modern technology has been useful in reaching out to people on the margins (the housebound, the elderly, etc) as well as the global faith community….  

“We had lots of practical ideas … too - the need for mobilising young people and offering people a positive vision of the future; a move to more collaborative working in the Church, which means greater inclusivity: women, lay people, lgbt+ people and young people, people of all backgrounds and ethnicities, all working as equals with the clergy for the common good. The love of God should be visible to all, radiating from the Church.  

"In summary, our Justice and Peace group concluded, as a result of this discernment process, that parishes must build strong local communities to be able to go out and build God's kingdom on Earth; that the laity as the 'people of God' must be provided with the necessary support in terms of energies, formation and resources to make this a genuine team effort alongside the clergy; and that there are many practical things that can be done to make our visions a reality locally. The Holy Spirit will surely help us and guide us."

                         With permission, Independent Catholic News, Maggie Beirne, 17th Dec. 2021 

                                                                 https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/43695

“Caritas East Anglia will be holding two online events in the new year, to support the Diocese of East Anglia Synodal Team and parishes, in reaching those on the margins of the Church and hearing their voices in the Synodal Pathway. Caritas development worker Jacinta Welch reports.  

“This Synod is very different to those held in the past. Since Vatican II, bishops have held Synods every few years, when they met with the Pope to discuss and discern together on important issues of the day. This time, ahead of the bishops meeting for the Synod in 2023, Pope Francis is asking all the people of God to contribute by discerning what the Holy Spirit is saying to us in our prayer and through one another.  

“Some of you will have met in parish events to consider the ten questions given to us, to listen to each other and to discern what the Holy Spirit is asking of us. Other parishes will meet in the new year.  

“The purpose of the online events is to reach those who, for any reason, are unable to join a parish-based event. Pope Francis speaks of those on the margins as being the centre of the Church and these are the people to whom we are reaching out – to welcome those whose voices are not always heard. If you, or someone you know, feels they are on the margins, you will be welcome to join us.  

“Sadly, most of us will know people who no longer attend Mass and the reasons for this will be many and varied. We would ask that you pass on this information to friends or family members who might be interested.  

“The events will be held on Zoom on Thursday February 3 – 1pm and Thursday February 10 – 7.30pm. We ask that you think about the ten questions before attending the event, which can be found on the diocesan website: https://www.rcdea.org.uk/bishop-alan-to-launch-synodalpathway-online-survey/ 

“For further information and to register, email Jacinta Welch: caritas@rcdea.org.uk

                               (With permission) Keith Morris, Dec 29th 2021, Diocese of East Anglia             

               https://www.rcdea.org.uk/synod-zoom-meetings-to-reach-those-on-the-margins/

“Angela Wilson, part of the Synodal Pathway Team, explains.

“The Synodal Pathway, which began in the Diocese of East Anglia on Sunday October 17, has taken another step along the way with the launch of the online survey by Bishop Alan.

“We are being asked specifically to explore ten main themes, which cover a lot of issues, but there is one unifying theme: how can the Church better fulfil her mission of offering hope to ALL people? Each person’s contribution will be valued, but you do not need to answer every question posed, they are there to guide the discussions….

“It is not so much a matter of sharing opinions; it is much deeper. We are being invited into a process of personal renewal and of listening to God with humility, as disciples of Jesus on a pilgrim journey through life, both as individuals, but also as part of God’s family.

"The ten questions are to be considered by parishes as the Diocese embarks on the Synodal Pathway are:

1 How welcoming is our parish? 

2 How good are we at listening? 

3 How good are we at communicating?

4 How well does the Church’s liturgy inspire a deeper encounter with the Risen Lord?

5 How well do I understand and participate in the mission of the Church?

6 How well do we engage with the wider world?

7 How good is our relationship with other Christian traditions?

8 How well do we work as a team in our parish?

9 How open are we to the will of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

10 How well do we hand on the faith?"

                                    (With permission) Keith Morris, Dec 3rd 2021, Diocese of East Anglia

                 https://www.rcdea.org.uk/bishop-alan-to-launch-synodal-pathway-online-survey/

Pope Francis has called for a Synod of Bishops for October 2023.  Leading up to that event is the process of listening, discerning, understanding and representing.  It starts formally later this year (Sunday, 17th October 2021) at the diocesan level – with us, the People of God.  In this information age how might we participate with the Holy Spirit and our Church in better listening, discerning and understanding?  Is it the voice of the youth, of women, of the old, of the disadvantaged, of our neighbour, … that is lacking – that we must try to represent to the leaders of our Church?  This lengthy process begins at our level and is truly worthy of our interest, attention and commitment to participate – to make a difference to the discussion -- in every way possible.  Can one person make a difference?  Why not?

“Pope Francis formally opened the Synod of Bishops on [10th October 2021] with a solemn Mass in St Peter's Basilica. Faithful from around the world, including laymen and women, priests, seminarians, women and men religious, cardinals and bishops, took part in the liturgy, which marked the beginning of a two-year synodal process.

“In his homily, Pope Francis took the day's Gospel reading about Jesus' encounter with a rich young man, as the starting point for a reflection on synodality. He said: ‘Celebrating a Synod means walking on the same road, together.’…

“Pope Francis said that a true encounter only comes through listening to others, noting that Jesus listens not just with the ears, but with the heart. When we follow Jesus in listening with the heart, ‘people feel they are being heard, not judged; they feel free to recount their own experiences and their spiritual journey.’

“The Pope invited us to ask ourselves if we are good at listening, if we allow others to express themselves. He said that the Holy Spirit is asking us to listen to the ‘questions, concerns, and hopes of every Church,’ and to the challenges and changes presented by the world around us.’…

“In these days of the Synod, the Pope said, ‘Jesus calls us, as he did the rich man in the Gospel, to empty ourselves, to free ourselves from all that is worldly, including our inward-looking and outworn pastoral models; and to ask ourselves what it is that God wants to say to us in this time - and the direction in which He wants to lead us.’

"’Let us have a good journey together,’ Pope Francis concluded, expressing the hope that we might be ‘pilgrims in love with the Gospel and open to the surprises of the Spirit.’ He urged us not to miss out ‘on the grace-filled opportunities born of encounter, listening, and discernment.’"

                               With permission, Independent Catholic News, Source: Vatican News, Oct. 10th 2021

                                                                                               https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/43221

"…the Pope [has] delayed the Synod of Bishops by a year to allow every diocese in the world to be involved. … The importance of this event, this Synod, should not be underestimated. In future we shall speak of 'pre and post Synod,' just as we speak of 'pre and post Vatican II.'

“The 2023 Synod is an answer to the prayers of all those who see the future of our Church being much more open to the involvement of the entire People of God. … Still today when people think of Church they think of priests and bishops and cardinals. Now this 2023 Synod is about to change that and to restore the role of the People of God to its rightful place.

“Synodality means 'walking together': priests, religious and laity. In September the process of walking together will begin and for the best part of a year everyone will have an opportunity to have their voice heard, indeed, every member of the Church has a right to speak. As Pope Francis said: ‘All must be heard, listened to and discerned by their Bishops.’ Parish groups will be formed in which we will be given the opportunity to listen to everyone. Above all we shall be listening to what the Holy Spirit will have to say to us.

“It will be so interesting to see what comes from this consultation. This is not a new idea, way back in the 1840's Cardinal, now Saint, John Henry Newman, thought of consulting the laity in matters of faith and morals. Such was his conviction that God speaks to the whole people of God and not just a section. Now at last we shall hear what they have to say.”

                         (With permission) Fr John McGowan OCD, 28 July 2021 in Independent Catholic News,

                                                                                              https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/42724

“Bishop Alan Hopes has written a Pastoral Letter to everyone across the Diocese of East Anglia to mark the start of the worldwide Synodal Church process – in which the least as well as the greatest has the opportunity to be heard.”

                                             (With permission) Keith Morris, Sep 20 th 2021, Diocese of East Anglia       

                            https://www.rcdea.org.uk/bishops-letter-marks-start-of-synodal-church-process/

Download the text of Bishop Alan's letter here.

“The General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops has presented the … handbook - to guide the journey of the Synod on Synodality.

“Listening without prejudice; speaking out with courage and parrhesia [speaking candidly]; dialoguing with the Church, with society, and with the other Christian confessions are among the guiding principles that will direct the path of the Synod on Synodality.

“The solemn opening of the Synod will take place in Rome on October 9-10, and in the particular Churches on October 17; and will conclude in the Vatican in 2023 with the assembly of bishops from around the world. “The Preparatory Document, released on Tuesday, is intended above all to be an instrument facilitating the first phase of listening and consultation of the People of God in the particular Churches, which will take place from October 2021 to April 2022.”

                             (With permission) Salvatore Cernuzio, Sep 7th 2021, Independent Catholic News

                                                                                       https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/42992