In Focus
Final Report for Diocesan Phase of Synod released
BY MARY CLIFFORD MORRELL Contributing Editor
C
atholics in the Diocese of Trenton who took part in the months-long local phase of a worldwide Synod, shared honest and clear-eyed assessments of their relationship to their faith and the Church. Offered in a spirit of respect and love, the responses were often emotional and spoke of gratitude for the Church, but also, a sense of hurt, according to organizers. Synods have brought together members of the Church around important themes throughout its history. The current effort began in 2021, when Pope Francis instituted what he called the “Synod on Synodality,” a two-year process in preparation for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in October 2023. As part of that process, the Holy Father invited the whole Church, the People of God, to engage in dialogue and reflection, stressing that “a synodal Church is a Church that listens.” Responding to the Holy Father’s invitation, Bishop David O’Connell, C. M., opened the Diocesan Phase of the Synod with Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Oct. 17, 2021, taking steps to ensure “a systematic, welcoming approach to clergy and faithful of the Diocese” would encourage “[They] sharing and listening. On June 24, 2022, Bishop listened O’Connell submitted the Final Report for the Diocesan Phase of without the Synod, “For a Synodal Church: resorting to Communion, Participation and Mission,” to the United States ready-made Conference of Catholic Bishops. The report notes that, from Jananswers ...” uary through April, the Diocese conducted more than 800 group listening sessions involving nearly 4,500 people, with 64 parishes, 70 priests and 156 deacons having actively participated. The statistics, said Deacon Pat Brannigan, Synod co-chair, “show that from all four corners of the Diocese, people came together to listen to each other about their faith journeys. [They] listened without resorting to ready-made answers or judgements. In the selected summaries of participant comments people were deeply moved, many coming to tears as they listened to the stories of others and as they told their own faith story.” The report, highlighting a mixture of joys, obstacles and challenges impacting the faithful, notes that most participants, “even those who were hurt, angry or disenchanted, expressed
The Diocese went about collecting responses and information from the faithful about the Synod in a number of ways that included holding Listening Sessions at the parish and diocesan levels as well as through online and bulletin surveys. a deep affection and love for the Church, her teachings, and traditions; especially those around the Eucharist, other Sacraments, and prayer. Some recounted episodes … when the Church had provided solace and guidance at important moments. For this constancy, there was a profound sense of gratitude expressed.” Obstacles cited inevitably prevented communion, participation and mission. The report states that “participants shared many instances in which they or those they know were made to feel unwelcome, uncomfortable, marginalized, ridiculed,” as well as times when they experienced a sense of loss from school and church closures. Also of concern is the clergy shortage, the need for “a theology of welcome” missing in some parishes, clericalism and a polarization in the Church, evident in listening sessions among “those who are advocating for the Latin Mass and those who do not.” In his brief reflections at the close of the report, Bishop O’Connell acknowledged, “I was not surprised by any of the results of the Synod discussions in terms of content. Positive experiences of ‘journeying’ with and in the local Church were affirming, especially the participants’ love for the Holy Eucharist and willingness to serve in various ministries. Similarly, challenges and obstacles to effective ‘journeying’ mentioned by participants were not surprising. The clergy sexual abuse scandal loomed large among peoples’ ‘hurts’ along with feelings of alienation by and among LGBTQ+ Catholics and Catholics who were divorced and remarried without an annulment.” For Mary Liz Ivins, diocesan Synod co-chair, the experience was hopeful. “I was profoundly moved by the sincerity with which participants approached the sharing and listening Continued on 54
July 2022
THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 9
