In recent years, the word "synodality" has echoed loudly in church circles. But does it mean the same thing to everyone? Archbishop Enrique Benavent of Valencia raised this question at a university symposium: "Today we hear a lot about synodality, but many times I wonder if we all know what we're talking about—or if we're even talking about the same thing." This reflection invites us to delve into the true meaning of a concept that is not new in the Church's history.
Synodality is not a fad or an innovation. From the earliest centuries, Christians gathered in synods to discern God's will together. The term "synodality" comes from the Greek word synodos, meaning "walking together." It is not just an organizational structure, but a way of living faith in community, where every baptized person has a role to play.
"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:4-5, NIV).
This passage from Romans reminds us that the diversity of gifts and roles in the Church is not an obstacle but a richness. Synodality seeks precisely to value that diversity, allowing each person, from their particular vocation, to contribute to the Church's mission.
Synodality in Church Tradition
Some think synodality is a modern invention, but it is deeply rooted in Christian tradition. Archbishop Benavent noted that "the Church has always had synods" taking different forms throughout history. From ecumenical councils to diocesan synods, the Church has always sought to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit through dialogue and communal reflection.
An ancient example is the "Apostolic Tradition," a third-century document attributed to Pope Saint Hippolytus, which describes the liturgical assembly as the Ubi floret Spiritus ("where the Spirit flourishes"). This concept underscores that synodality is not just theoretical but a living experience of communion and mission.
Bishop Francisco Conesa of Solsona, the Spanish Bishops' Conference's referent for implementing the Synod on Synodality, stated that "with the celebration of the Synod, a process of Church renewal has been set in motion that affects both its spiritual life and its existing structures in service of mission." However, he warned that "without spiritual renewal, any attempt at structural reform remains empty, becoming merely bureaucratic."
Challenges and Hopes for the Synodal Path
Not everyone is enthusiastic about synodality. Archbishop Benavent acknowledged that "many are not excited about what an idea of synodality applied to Church life means." This may be due to misunderstandings or fears that synodality implies a radical break with tradition. However, the archbishop clarified that "synodality is an ecclesiological concept that does not involve a rupture with Church Tradition," as it is rooted in it and in continuity with it.
The real challenge is how to live synodality authentically, without falling into activism or mere discussion. As Bishop Conesa said: "The Synod is, above all, a spiritual event. No reform can be limited to structures; it must be rooted in inner transformation." This means that every believer is called to participate actively, not only by attending meetings but by opening their heart to the Holy Spirit and listening to others.
"Where there is no
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