Synodality

The Synod on Synodality, currently underway, is the largest consultative process in the history of the Catholic Church.After the synodal listening on the local and regional levels, all eyes have been on Rome where the first synodal assembly took place last October ( 2023) and the second one is scheduled for this October (2024).Many see the synodal process as a kairos in the life of the church and the most significant event in Catholicism since Vatican II (1962II ( -1965)).This session was the first round of a three-year interest group dedicated to synodality steered by Martin Madar, Jakob Rinderknecht, and Susan Reynolds.The group intends to provide an opportunity for critical assessment of the synodal assemblies of 2023-2024 and to offer a creative contribution of the members of the society to this timely topic.The panelists were invited for their deep and diverse forms of involvement with the synod and in the promotion of synodality.Catherine Clifford is one of the ten nonepiscopal delegates at the synod from North America.Maureen O'Connell is the Director of Synod on Higher Education Engagement for Discerning Deacons.Brian Flanagan is a Senior Fellow at New Ways Ministry who has used synodal methods in his work with LGBTQ+ Catholics.The session started with each panelist giving short opening remarks regarding their key take-aways from last year's synodal assembly.Clifford reflected on her experience as a synod participant.She first pointed out the significance of the arrangement in which the synodal assembly took place.Instead of the synod being an auditorium-style speech-making event, the synod members sat at round tables and engaged in synodal listening using the method of a conversation in the Spirit.She stressed the significance of the fact that both episcopal and non-episcopal members (even women) were placed at the same tables.In this connection she pointed out some remarks of Fr.Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., who was a retreat master for the synod.He noted that there can be no fruitful conversation between the synod members unless they recognize that they each speak with the authority of a person baptized into Christ, and that there need be no competition between the bishops and the laity.Clifford also reflected on the idea that while synodality is not a theology but a spiritual practice, it does need critical study and reflection, though this is not the entry point of synodality.Maureen O'Connell reflected on her experience of accompanying young adults in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and beyond in the synodal process.She started by explaining that one concrete result of her work has been the appointment of Julia Oska, a student at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, as a synod voting member, which in O'Connell's mind underscores the efficacy of participating in the synodal processes and is an example of profound change taking place in the church.O'Connell