Coming from the diocese of Jalingo in North-Eastern Nigeria where we have had two diocesan synods in our 28th year of existence, I find the Pope’s decision for a universal synod very courageous and the right way to go. Our first diocesan synod was held in 2005. I was privileged to serve as Secretary at the synod and as the secretary of the drafting committee of the Acts and Declaration of the Synod. One key contention that was resolved at that synod was the unification of the leadership of the Women Group at the Parish, deanery, and diocesan level. Before then, there were various leaders of the women’s group at these levels which was a massive challenge for the diocese as it became so difficult to get the women to work together. The diocese held its second synod last year when it turned 25 years since its creation. These two diocesan synods have been hugely beneficial as every group in the diocese like the Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Catholic Women Organization (CMO), Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Catechists, and representatives of various pious societies and other lay groups were all given a chance to speak and present their challenges. So, despite some of the criticisms of this universal synod, the benefits, in the end, will far outweigh any negative side to it. A listening and discerning church is key to the mission of the Church in the modern world.
conrad mutizamhepo
These are very helpful expositions. I have enjoyed the input. Thank you to all the presenters and organisers of the programme.
jheathelliott
I struggled a bit in listening to the opening lecture with the language of “missionary.” It still feels laden with the pre-Vatican II baggage of “mission” meaning merely or primarily taking the Church (in all its hierarchical, dispenser-of-sacramental life preoccupation) to new countries or communities. And despite the expansive understanding of Vatican II, opening up and engaging with the modern world in humble and dialogic encounter (which the lecture refers to as a standpoint of graciousness), “missionary” is still used in its very old-fashioned way in some corners of the American church. I am pointing especially at the phenomenon of “FOCUS missionaries” being unleased on campus ministries in the US to reconvert the students they encounter into an older form of piety, and recruit them in turn to become “missionaries” themselves. In this antiquated view, “mission” means “making more Church members” — not the mission of relational witness as the Body of Christ/People of God for the sake of the renewal/transformation of the world to more and more prophetically evince the Kindom announced by Jesus through the Incarnation. Such programs are in serious tension with the work of helping baptized members of the Church understand their baptismal dignity more deeply, and commit to a path of life-long conversion for the sake of engagement with the world (which, to echo St. Francis, preaches the Gospel using few words).
Abisola Clare Adelakun
I am a Nigerian and a religious. I see the forum of synod as one who brought us all together under the umbrella of Christ. The Synodal journey is for us all to walk and co exist together. Let not our difference, culture, race, language and colour separate us but to be one in Christ, this sacred journey begins with me to move for change.
I do appreciate all that the leaders of the church are putting in place to seek for peace and unity.
Coming from the diocese of Jalingo in North-Eastern Nigeria where we have had two diocesan synods in our 28th year of existence, I find the Pope’s decision for a universal synod very courageous and the right way to go. Our first diocesan synod was held in 2005. I was privileged to serve as Secretary at the synod and as the secretary of the drafting committee of the Acts and Declaration of the Synod. One key contention that was resolved at that synod was the unification of the leadership of the Women Group at the Parish, deanery, and diocesan level. Before then, there were various leaders of the women’s group at these levels which was a massive challenge for the diocese as it became so difficult to get the women to work together. The diocese held its second synod last year when it turned 25 years since its creation. These two diocesan synods have been hugely beneficial as every group in the diocese like the Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Catholic Women Organization (CMO), Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Catechists, and representatives of various pious societies and other lay groups were all given a chance to speak and present their challenges. So, despite some of the criticisms of this universal synod, the benefits, in the end, will far outweigh any negative side to it. A listening and discerning church is key to the mission of the Church in the modern world.
These are very helpful expositions. I have enjoyed the input. Thank you to all the presenters and organisers of the programme.
I struggled a bit in listening to the opening lecture with the language of “missionary.” It still feels laden with the pre-Vatican II baggage of “mission” meaning merely or primarily taking the Church (in all its hierarchical, dispenser-of-sacramental life preoccupation) to new countries or communities. And despite the expansive understanding of Vatican II, opening up and engaging with the modern world in humble and dialogic encounter (which the lecture refers to as a standpoint of graciousness), “missionary” is still used in its very old-fashioned way in some corners of the American church. I am pointing especially at the phenomenon of “FOCUS missionaries” being unleased on campus ministries in the US to reconvert the students they encounter into an older form of piety, and recruit them in turn to become “missionaries” themselves. In this antiquated view, “mission” means “making more Church members” — not the mission of relational witness as the Body of Christ/People of God for the sake of the renewal/transformation of the world to more and more prophetically evince the Kindom announced by Jesus through the Incarnation. Such programs are in serious tension with the work of helping baptized members of the Church understand their baptismal dignity more deeply, and commit to a path of life-long conversion for the sake of engagement with the world (which, to echo St. Francis, preaches the Gospel using few words).
I am a Nigerian and a religious. I see the forum of synod as one who brought us all together under the umbrella of Christ. The Synodal journey is for us all to walk and co exist together. Let not our difference, culture, race, language and colour separate us but to be one in Christ, this sacred journey begins with me to move for change.
I do appreciate all that the leaders of the church are putting in place to seek for peace and unity.