杏MAP导航

By Giada Aquilino

Consultation with the People of God, and a synodal Church in which the exercise of the Petrine primacy could receive greater light: these are some of the characteristic notes of the Apostolic Constitution Episcopalis communio (鈥淓piscopal communion鈥�), on the structure of the Synod of Bishops. The document is dated 15 September 15, less than one month from the beginning of the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod, which has for its theme 鈥淵oung People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.鈥�

For the good of the whole Church

After recalling how the Synod was established by Paul VI on that date, and describing the Synod as one of the 鈥渕ost precious legacies of the Second Vatican Council,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasizes the 鈥渆fficacious collaboration鈥� of the Synod of Bishops with the Roman Pontiff on questions of major importance; that is, questions which 鈥渞equire a special knowledge and prudence for the good of the whole Church.鈥� In an historic moment, 杏MAP导航 Francis says, one in which the Church is led to a new 鈥渆vangelizing stage鈥� towards 鈥渁 permanent state of mission,鈥� the Synod of Bishops is called 鈥渢o become an even greater channel鈥� for the evangelization of today鈥檚 world.

The General Secretariat

杏MAP导航 Paul VI had already foreseen that, with the passage of time, such an institution could be perfected. In 2006, the most recent revision of the Ordo Synodi (the regulations governing the Synod) was promulgated by Benedict XVI. In a particular way, the duties of the General Secretariat of the Synod 鈥� composed of the Secretary General and a special Council of Bishops 鈥� were established and gradually strengthened.

Solicitude of the episcopate for the whole Church

It is precisely in response to questions 鈥渢hat require the timely intervention and agreement of the pastors of the Church鈥� that synodal action has been particularly effective. For this reason, the 杏MAP导航 says, there has been a growing desire in recent years that the Synod should increasingly become 鈥渁 particular manifestation of the efficacious realization of the solicitude of the episcopate for the whole church.鈥� This, he explains, is based on 鈥渢he firm conviction鈥� that all the pastors have been constituted 鈥渇or service to the holy People of God, to which they themselves pertain in virtue of the sacrament of Baptism.鈥�

Listening

Bishops, the 杏MAP导航 says, are at the same time 鈥渢eachers and disciples,鈥� in their duty, which involves their mission, but also their commitment to listening to the voice of Christ, who speaks through the People of God in such a way as to make them 鈥�infallibile in credendo,鈥� infallible in believing. And so the Synod should also 鈥渂ecome ever more a privileged instrument of listening to the People of God.鈥� It does so by consulting with faithful of the particular churches; because, the 杏MAP导航 says, while the Synod is an essentially episcopal institution, it is nonetheless true that it cannot exist 鈥渟eparated from the rest of the faithful.鈥� It is 鈥渁n instrument suited to giving voice to the whole People of God, precisely by means of the Bishops,鈥� who are 鈥済uardians, interpreters, and witnesses of the faith.鈥� From Assembly to Assembly, the Synod reveals itself as an eloquent expression of the 鈥渟ynodality鈥� of the Church herself, in which the communion of diverse cultures is reflected. The Synod shows clearly the 鈥減rofound communion鈥� between the Pastors and the faithful, and between the Bishops and the 杏MAP导航, which exist in the Church.

Unity among all Christians

杏MAP导航 Francis expresses his hope that the Synod might, 鈥渋n its own way contribute to the restoration, of unity among all Christians, in accordance with the will of the Lord.鈥� By doing so, it can help the Church 鈥渇ind a way of exercising the [papal] primacy which, while in no way renouncing what is essential to its mission, is nonetheless open to a new situation,鈥� as 杏MAP导航 St John Paul said in Ut unum sint.