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Diocese Participates in Synod on Synodality
By VERY REV. WILLIAM THOMPSONI
In March, parishioners from around the diocese took part in two listening sessions as part of the Interim Phase of the Synod on Synodality. Around Christmas, Rome requested that additional diocesan conversations take place to discuss particular questions and offer input to the second session of the Synod on Synodality, which will resume in October of this year.
Sixty-six participants representing over twenty percent of the parishes in the diocese participated in two sessions. Among those who took part, 35 laywomen, 24 laymen, 2 religious sisters and 7 clergy joined Bishop Barron for Mass and a three-hour session. The first gathering was held on March 9 at Ss. Peter and Paul’s Parish in Blue Earth, and the second took place on March 23 at Holy Redeemer in Eyota. The majority of participants were, by design, parish leaders. Due to the nature of the questions discussed, pastors, parish pastoral and finance council members, trustees and staff were particularly invited to offer input on two guiding questions:
1. Where have I seen or experienced successes - and distresses - within the Church’s structure(s)/organization/leadership/life that encourage or hinder the mission?
2. How can the structures and organization of the Church help all the baptized to respond to the call to proclaim the gospel and to live as a community of love and mercy in Christ?
Participants began their discussion of each question with a prayerful listening to one another, as each person at the table took a turn to share from their lived experience. After everyone spoke, table groups then paid attention to where the Holy Spirit was highlighting convergences - or areas of agreement - and other matters for consideration. While there may not have been unequivocal agreement on successes and distresses within the Church’s structure, some general themes emerged.
It was agreed that the Church in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester has been largely successful in areas such as: collaboration of laity and clergy, Catholic schools, lay formation programs, women’s participation in parish leadership (for example: parish and diocesan staff, catechists, pastoral councils), and in social service ministries.
Those who gathered also pointed out particular distresses that hinder the mission of the Church within the diocese by bringing forward topics such as: steep decrease in parish participation of youth after receiving sacraments, loss/closure of parishes, polarization among and between Catholics, the effects of scandals, and the pressurization of priesthood with fewer clergy who have increased responsibilities.
The two groups posed several questions for further consideration. Two questions in particular are, and should be, asked by each institution in the diocese: 1) How can Catholic organizations learn and grow from its abuse scandals and become more attractive to non-participants (Catholic or non-Catholic)?, and 2) How can laity and clergy increase their collaborative practices?
The full summary of the Diocese of WinonaRochester’s Interim Phase discussions can be found on the diocesan website.
Much work has yet to be done prior to the resumption of the Synod on Synodality in Rome this October (in which Bishop Barron will once again be a delegate of the United States Bishops). Other target groups, such as parish priests, will hold similar gatherings to discuss the role of Synodality in parish life. Many dicasteries (that is, offices in Rome dedicated to particular areas of Church life) have also been tasked with describing the theological and canonical limits and possibilities to ten themes raised in last October’s session. More can be found on the working groups at: usccb.org/news/2024/pope-sets-groupsstudy-most-controversial-issues-raised-synod
Very Rev. William Thompson is Vicar General of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
