Synodalitas and the Laity

In a special feature of the recent Catholic Times Weekly a lay theologian and professor at Sogang university explains to the readers the meaning of 'Synodalitas' for the laity in the recent issue.

Synodalitas, means we need to walk together within the church. She wanted to walk together with others but it wasn't accepted. She is so grateful that the words of "Let's go together" came out. What the church really needs to worry about is when these words are not stated. At that time, no matter how much the church asks for lay participation the laity are not listening. Hopefully the laypeople will honestly express their feelings: whether it's resentment, apathy, or hope. She hopes that other members of the community will hear it, and other members of the community will also speak out, you'll get answers.   

"This Synodalitas is based on the Second Vatican Council." The period of the First Vatican Council was a time of struggle between the Church and the world. Because the church didn't want to go with the world. The church pushed, condemned, and excluded the world. As a result, the world goes its own way. The Second Vatican Council was not a time of fighting. There was a movement to go together with this consciousness, and Pope Francis' emphasis on synodalitas in his talk to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Synod of Bishops in 2015 has spread to the 16th World Synod.

In this Synod the participation of all the members, God's people, is important and repeatedly emphasized. According to the teaching of the second Vatican Council, already many voices in many places within the church are saying the community of faith must be moved by all the members—people of God: laity, religious, and priests, all are the subjects. It means that no one should remain fully passive, she then pointed out: "In order for this not to end only as nice words, Synodalitas must bloom in the lives of believers; in this way, the church can make a new leap forward." 

Laypersons should first know well what dignity they have in the Catholic Church, what mission they have received, and how respected they should be in the church. There is the identity and mission of the layman that the Catholic Church declared at the 2nd Vatican Council. She hopes the laity understand this well. 

In particular, she pointed out that believers should not fall into the error of seeing the church as another human society. "Synodalitas certainly has a democratic element in that it recognizes the dignity and subjectivity of all members. Nevertheless, the reason Synodalitas is not a democracy is that the church is not a community that moves according to public opinion. You hear a person's voice, but it's listening to the sound of the Holy Spirit. The church is both a human community and a divine community established by God. In addition, "Synodalitas should not be interpreted only as a decision-making structure." Synodalitas is about life. The church is a place where laypersons, religious, and priests must move in their own distinctive ways. Each contributing in their own way.       

The professor repeatedly emphasized the importance of faithfulness to the Word and the gifts received. Believers must seek to hear God’s Word for themselves. That includes prayer, of course. Decision-making in the absence of God and the Word is no more than an earthly parliament where each desires that their personal opinions be heard and realized.

Charism (gifts of the Spirit) is the basis for the synodalistic realization of  Church. The Holy Spirit wants to make the salvation of Christ a reality in the world through the People of God. The Holy Spirit has given the gifts of the spirit to lay people, religious and clergy alike. And there is no one who has not received the Holy Spirit, and I must see what gifts God has given me.

 

The professor emphasized that it is necessary to accurately understand the excessive clericalism and authoritarianism that is frequently heard in talking about synodalitas. Believers tend to think of authority as the world thinks. Authority in the world is to suppress, to use force, and to exclude people. However, in the Catholic Church, the hierarchy is a divine authority. Jesus Christ founded the Church, entrusted his proper office to the clergy, and gave them authority. If you get rid of it, it's not the Catholic Church.This does not mean, however, that these comments and criticisms are meaningless. "The problem of excessive authoritarianism and clericalism is because there is no communication and receptivity in the decision-making process. This needs to be improved. Authority needs  to be exercised in a just and healthy way.

 

Lastly, the professor said that lay people, unlike clergy and religious, have important roles to play in the world. "Reading the signs of the times can be done even by religious and clergy, but it may not be as real and specific as lay people because they do not do worldly work. The lay faithful should read the signs of the times for the church."