The Synod on Synodality has been underway in Rome for more than a week, with Bishop Anthony Randazzo and Kelly Paget representing the people of Broken Bay at the assembly.
Week 1
Following a two-day retreat, the Assembly opened at the Paul VI Hall on Friday, October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The participants listened to the reports of five “Language Tables”, with common themes emerging about the idea of synodality and issues such as the role of women and laity in the Church. They also reflected on the concept of the Church forming a family to those who have no family “in a world of orphans”. The image of the Church as the Body of Christ, where there are many ministries and charisms in a single body, was recalled several times.
Bishop Anthony Randazzo was called to participate in the daily press briefing, where he talked about the incredible faith of the people of Oceania and warned the Church not to focus on “niche issues” at the expense of important ones.
On Saturday, October 5, the participants discussed listening to the cry of the poor. Discussion also focused on how to attract young people to the Church and how adults must “breathe” with them, to help them grow in their understanding of the faith.
WATCH BISHOP ANTHONY RANDAZZO ADDRESS THE MEDIA AT THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY HERE
Week 2
The Monday of the second week of the Synod was marked by a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace, on the first anniversary of Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel. The day’s discussions then focused on the role of women in the Church and building bridges between diverse cultures and religions.
On Tuesday, the participants spent a large portion of the day electing 7 of the 14 members of the Commission for the drafting of the Final Document. The participants also spent the day discussing the importance of Christian initiation, and the relationships between charism and ministries.
On Wednesday, the focus remained on Christian initiation, with one mother standing to express her grave concern not enough was being said about forming young people in the faith. The Synod also discussed the role of permanent deacons and how their role could help to build bridges in an increasingly secularised society. There is only one deacon from the Latin Church taking part in the Synod.
On Thursday, attention turned to discussing Christian unity, with members of the Orthodox, Anglican and Mennonite churches featuring as guests at the daily press briefing. Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, said how fundamental “the exchange of gifts, in which we learn from one another, with the conviction that no Church is so rich that it does not need the contribution of other Churches, and no Church is so poor that it has nothing to offer” is to both ecumenism and synodality.
On Friday, the participants began a new module, focused on care of relationships, both within the Church and between the Church and the world. In the afternoon, they voted on the agenda for subsequent discussions which then began on Saturday morning. The group also took place in an Ecumenical Prayer Vigil in the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs next to St Peter’s Basilica.
The participants will have another week of dialogue in small groups this week before dedicating the last week to drafting the final document of the Synod.