Participants have been engaging in two daily sessions and will receive a break tomorrow for a tour of Rome’s catacombs. EWTN Vatican News correspondent Colm Flynn takes us inside these meetings and highlights the work being done. The Synod on Synodality begins its second week with a new theme, focusing on the concept of shared communion.
St. Bonaventure, the great Franciscan theologian, beautifully described how the diversity of creation allows the various colors of the Divine Light to shine through. This Divine Light is perceived in a communion that radiates a glorious diversity. Each morning, multiple members of the Synod deliver public speeches, setting the tone for the day and providing an opportunity for different parts of the global Church to be heard at her very center, the Vatican. One such example comes from a diverse Asian society where Christians constitute only 6.53% of the population: the Church continues to spread the Gospel message despite the challenges.
Some participants use this moment to inspire, persuade, and influence fellow Synod members, addressing issues like exclusion and marginalization. Online comments and reactions to these discussions have been mixed, with some praising the understanding of human nature while others find them baffling. This sentiment isn’t limited to the online sphere; it’s also expressed within the walls of the Synod. Discussions are a two-sided reality, evoking both excitement and tension. However, participants are eagerly awaiting the Synod’s conclusion.
Daily press conferences provide a platform for participants to share their insights, like Grace Rakia from Papua New Guinea, who was one of the main speakers. After years of listening, participants now seek to make their voices heard.
While they are generally restricted from discussing specific meeting details publicly, they can discuss matters in more general terms. There’s a positive atmosphere as everyone is enthusiastic about hearing from one another, even when talking about criticism.
Participants come together with a shared aim and goal, making it a spiritually enriching experience. Through dialogue around the table, understanding others becomes more accessible, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their discussions. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, they hope to discern and find the best path for the Church.
Interestingly, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the Vatican safeguarding body, has called on the Synod to address sexual abuse and accountability within the Church explicitly. This issue remains a central part of the Synod on Synodality in Rome, as reported by Colm Flynn for EWTN News Nightly.
Edited by Jacob Stein.
