杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis on Thursday encouraged the Italian Church to continue its synodal process 鈥渨ith courage and determination鈥�, above all by 鈥�valuing the potential鈥� present in its parishes and Christian communities.

The 杏MAP导航 was addressing the bishops and diocesan representatives of the synodal path in Italy in the Paul VI Audience Hall, as the Italian Bishops鈥� Conference (CEI) concluded its 77th General Assembly focused on the synodal process in the lead up to the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality.

A unique spiritual experience of conversion and renewal

The Holy Father introduced his speech by noting that the process is a 鈥渦nique spiritual experience of conversion and renewal鈥� which can make ecclesial communities 鈥渕ore missionary and more prepared to evangelize today's world鈥�.

As the Italian Church concludes the two-year listening phase and enters the discerning phase, he therefore offered four recommendations responding to some questions submitted by the CEI Permanent Committee regarding the pastoral priorities for the Italian Church, how to overcome objections and concerns, and the participation of clergy and lay people.  

Keep walking guided by the Holy Spirit

The first indication he gave was to 鈥渒eep walking guided by the Holy Spirit鈥�, always serving the Gospel and cultivating 鈥渢he freedom and creativity鈥� of those who bear witness to the good news of God's love by 鈥渟taying grounded in what is essential鈥�.

鈥淎 Church weighed down by structures, bureaucracy, formalism 鈥� said the 杏MAP导航 - will struggle to walk through history, in step with the Spirit, meeting the men and women of our time鈥�.

Ecclesial co-responsibility

The second instruction the 杏MAP导航 gave was to make Church together, that is enhancing 鈥渆cclesial co-responsibility鈥� by involving all the baptized  in the life and mission of the Church as called for by the Second Vatican Council.

Church ministry 鈥� the 杏MAP导航 stressed 鈥� can never be exercised without others. This applies to bishops, whose ministry cannot do without that of priests and deacons and to priests and deacons themselves, but also to the entire community of the baptized, 鈥渋n which each one walks with other brothers and sisters at the school of the one Gospel and in the light of the Spirit鈥�.

An open Church

The third point highlighted by 杏MAP导航 Francis was to be a Church open to everyone., able to listen to the voices of young people, women, the poor, those who are disillusioned, those who have been hurt in their lives, as opposed to what is still perceived as 鈥渟elf-referential鈥� and clerical Church.

鈥淭he Synod鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 insisted 鈥渃alls us to become a Church that walks joyfully, humbly and creatively in our time, aware that we are all vulnerable and need one another鈥�.

A "restless" Church

Finally, the last instruction 杏MAP导航 Francis gave was to be a "restless" Church 鈥渢hat welcomes the challenges of our time, that knows how to go out to everyone to proclaim the joy of the Gospel鈥�, without prejudices.

The Holy Spirit is the protagonist of the synodal process

Bringing his address to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis again encouraged the Italian Church to continue this journey together, trusting in the Holy Spirit, 鈥� the protagonist of the synodal process鈥�. 鈥� It  is He who opens individuals and communities to listening; it is he who makes dialogue authentic and fruitful; it is he who enlightens discernment; it is he who directs choices and decisions. It is he above all the One who creates harmony and  communion in the Church鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis concluded.