Synodality
Synodality (from synod which is Greek σύν "together", and ὁδός "way, journey") in the Catholic Church is a term "often used to describe the process of fraternal collaboration and discernment that bodies like the Synod of Bishops were created to express".
Quotes
[edit]- Francis will go down in history as the Pope of reform. He has done a great deal to reform the Church, and this must continue, and I believe it will continue, for the simple reason that before leaving office he concluded the cycle of the Synod on synodality. And what has been produced by this Synod has become a heritage for the whole Church. Interviewer: You mentioned synodality. In mid-March, Francis approved the start of a synodal journey that should lead to an ecclesial assembly in 2028. Can we say that this synodal journey remains unfinished? Cardinal Ambongo: I wouldn't say unfinished. The Pope always repeated: "I pray to the Lord that he will grant me enough time so that the reforms that have begun can reach the point of no return." I believe that the reform initiatives undertaken by Francis have now reached that point. That is why I am convinced that the reforms will continue.
- From an interview of Stanislas Kambashi, SJ, to Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Ambongo: Francesco ha donato all'Africa l'impegno per la dignità e la giustizia, Vatican News (April 22, 2025)
- The synod that will begin tomorrow conceals an agenda that is more political and human than ecclesial and divine. The will is to profoundly change the hierarchical constitution of the Church is clear, with a further consequence a weakening of teaching on morality as well as discipline in the Church.
- Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, Cardinal Burke: “Synodality contradicts the true identity of the Church” (October 8, 2023)
- Our Lord Jesus Christ who alone is our Savior is not at the root and center of synodality.
- Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, Synodality Versus True Identity of the Church as Hierarchical Communion (October 5, 2023)
- After the great times of John Paul II, who gave us a vision of a universal Church capable of breaking down walls, and after Benedict XVI, who spoke to us about God in a profound and accessible way, Pope Francis has offered a synthesis of these two visions. I believe that we cannot fail to continue along this line. However, each Pope interprets Peter's mandate in his own original way, listening to his brothers gathered in the Conclave, who bring with them the experiences of their Churches and cultures. [...] The new pontiff will have to strengthen the unity of the Church. He will have to intensify ecumenical relations and interreligious dialogue. And then there is the methodology: the Church has walked on a path of synodality, collegiality and appreciation of episcopal conferences. I believe that this path must be consolidated. The new pope is called to walk among his people, but keeping in mind the realities of those who are ahead, those who are behind, and those who are on the right and on the left.
- From an interview of Domenico Agasso to Fernando Filoni, Filoni: “Né a destra né a sinistra, serve un mediatore. Le tensioni non ci preoccupano, sono utili”, La Stampa (in Italian; April 29, 2025)
- There is still a long way but the model of conjugation between synodality and primacy certainly opens a fruitful way.
- The time has arrived when we all have to ask ourselves "What is up to me to do?", and I believe that that is synodality.
- Working together as a team allows the laity greater participation within the dynamics of responsibility. I would like that the three of us, and all of the staff of the Synod Secretariat, work out of the same spirit of collaboration and experience a new style of "synodal" leadership, a leadership of service that is less clerical and hierarchical, that allows participation and co-responsibility without at the same time abdicating the responsibilities entrusted to them.
- I would say that the 2021–2024 Synod was a "first" in many ways.
It was the first time that the regulations of Episcopalis Communio were fully applied.
It was the first time that the entire Church—and everyone within it—had the opportunity to participate in the synodal process.
It was the first time that non-bishop members participated in the Assembly.
It was the first time that a Final Document was immediately approved by the Holy Father, thus becoming part of his ordinary Magisterium.- From an interview of Andrea Tornielli to Mario Grech, Cardinal Grech: A new path to help the Church walk in a synodal style, Vatican News (March 15, 2025)
- Historically, primacy has never excluded synodality, nor has synodality excluded primacy.
- It will be a pontificate in continuity with the magisterium of Pope Francis. I am very happy about that. This is what the majority of the cardinals wanted ... but with a style of their own. [...] Pope Leo XIV, in his first message, spoke of a “synodal Church.” Having participated in the work of the Synod, we have a Pope who knows synodality, who understands it, who dares to be synodal. There will not be a revolution, but an evolution.
- Jean-Claude Hollerich, as quoted in Il card. Hollerich, Leone XIV e Fiducia supplicans, Radio Spada (May 14, 2025)
- To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the whole world, we want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, which always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer.
- Pope Leo XIV, First Urbi et Orbi (8 May 2025)
- Expanding the space of your tent means drawing closer together so there’s more room for others to join us.
