Catholics are journeying on the road together

Dr Greg Ryan described Pope Francis’ vision of Catholics journeying together as “a synodal Church” in an informative and challenging talk to the Cleveland Newman Circle.

Stockton-born Greg, who attended St Mary’s Sixth Form College in Middlesbrough, is now assistant professor at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University.

Pope Francis sees synodality as expressing the Church as the people of God. This style of coming together should express the ordinary way that the Church lives and works.

Historically, bishops have gathered in councils and synods to discuss and decide different issues. But now Pope Francis expects the whole people of God to gather in an ongoing process of local, regional, national and international synods to discern the way forward for the Church.

The continental stage was this spring when the Church in each continent gathered to pray, consider and discuss.

The Holy Father sees no difference between the teaching Church and the learning Church – he wants everyone involved in “mutual listening”. He regards tensions as creative challenges and learning opportunities.

Five “generative tensions” have been identified.

1. Listening as openness requires the dignity of all the baptised to be taken seriously (does the Church work this way in practice?).

2. Orientation to mission involves a commitment to more credible witness in the world.

3. Radical inclusion is controversial, but also urgent. The Church must be more inclusive. Hopefully, inclusive listening will develop into inclusive hospitality and expanding opportunities for young people,

LGBTQ+ people, women and others.

4. Institutional reform suggests we need pastoral councils at all levels. These will combat clericalism. Synodality does not rush to provide answers – laypeople and clergy need “formation”.

5. Liturgy: there are risks of passivity in congregations when the priest is the main or only protagonist and preaching quality needs improvement.

After Greg’s stimulating talk, some anxieties were expressed. He said not all parishes or dioceses have been involved in the initial stages of talking and journeying together.

Certain people, such as priests who have resigned from their ministry and Catholics who rarely attend Mass have had little realistic opportunity to contribute. The exciting promises of Vatican II have not all been realised – will synodality bear fruit?

Greg encouraged us to hope. Pope Francis’ vision is clearly in the spirit of Vatican II, where the whole Church, universal and local, is engaged together in a potential reform of hearts and structures. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for its success. For information about Cleveland Newman Circle, email p.egerton123@gmail.com or call 01642 645732.

At our next talk, Angela Wills will speak on “Dorothy Day, a new saint for our times?”. It takes place in St Mary’s Cathedral Hall, Middlesbrough on Wednesday April 19 at 7.45pm.

Patricia Egerton