杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Synodality has been taking root in the Church in Latin America for some time, embracing 鈥渁 correct interpretation鈥� of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council that implies 鈥渓earning anew how to walk together鈥� in the face of epochal changes in society.

At the same time, 杏MAP导航 Francis told the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, 鈥渨e have to be aware of our limitation in order to be able to mature and bear evangelical fruit鈥� on this synodal path.

The 杏MAP导航 was speaking on the theme of 鈥淪ynodality and Communion,鈥� in a video message to the Plenary Assembly of the Commission.

Holy Spirit: the protagonist of synodality

In his address, the Holy Father emphasized the importance of remaining open in our thinking, in order not to delude ourselves that we 鈥渒now everything鈥� or have all the answers. Imagining we know everything, he said, is 鈥渧ery dangerous鈥� to synodality, as it leaves "no room for the Holy Spirit, the true protagonist of the synodal path.鈥�

鈥淭he gift is the Holy Spirit,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渨ho does not impose Himself by force, but gently summons our affection and our freedom鈥� to make us able to 鈥渁cquire the form of unity and communion that He desires in our relationships.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis said that if we are able to receive this gift of the Spirit, our lives will become 鈥渁 constant service to others.鈥�

The Holy Spirit, he said, never takes from us, but instead moves in us, and renews us.

Communion must animate synodal path

The 杏MAP导航 emphasized, too, that synodality is not only pneumatological, based on the Spirit, but also Eucharistic, as it involves communion with the Body of Christ, 鈥渁 sign and instrumental cause of a relational dynamism that shapes the Church.鈥�

This ecclesial communion, he said, prevents synodality from becoming mere parliamentarianism or populism.

Synodality, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥渋s the dynamic dimension, the historical dimension of ecclesial communion founded in the Trinitarian communion, which 鈥� simultaneously cherishing the sensus fidei of all God鈥檚 holy people, apostolic collegiality, and unity with the successor of Peter 鈥� must animate the conversion and reform of the Church at every level.鈥�

The duty to promote synodality

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to consider the role of the Pontifical Commission, which he described as a diakonia, a ministry of service aimed at showing the affection and attention that the 杏MAP导航 has for Latin America.

In its current form, as indicated by the ongoing curial reform, it is aimed at 鈥済enerating new dynamics and to disengage us from our clericalist customs鈥� that continue to exist both in the Curia and in some Latin American communities.

The 杏MAP导航 likewise insisted on the duty of the PCLA to 鈥減romote true synodality as widely as possible.鈥�

He insisted that synodality and communion must both be present in the process, warning against having one without the other.

Living our ecclesial communion more intensely

So, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, we must have both together: Synodality must lead us 鈥渢o live more intensely our ecclesial communion, in which the diversity of charisms, vocations, and ministries are harmoniously integrated, animated by the same baptism, which makes us all sons and daughters in the Son.鈥�

The Holy Father concluded his address by telling members of the Commission to beware of unilateral protagonism.鈥�

He invited them, instead, to encourage processes that allow the people of God 鈥渢o participate more and better in the common responsibility that we all have to 鈥榖e Church鈥�.鈥�