The synod journey has been unfamiliar territory and there has been a sense of adventure, writes Bishop Brendan Leahy
Since we began our synod process, as far back as December 2014, I’ve often been asked – why did I call a synod? The most immediate reason was that when I became Bishop of Limerick, I quickly realised the diocese had already engaged in a widespread listening exercise and had taken many positive steps in developing clusters and pastoral areas. I needed not to repeat but to build on that. A synod seemed to me to be a logical next step.
As a Church activity, a synod is a well-thought-out process that reaches out to listen to the heart-beat and mind of the people of the diocese, whether practicing Catholics or those on the fringes. It helps the bishop make informed decisions about future directions. Our synod will be the first in the diocese in 80 years and this time it will be primarily lay women and men delegates.
I also had many other reasons – among them is that I believe the Gospel encourages us to work more in unity with one another; Pope Francis has emphasised the importance of synods in the Church; my theological studies have convinced me of the value of promoting what might be called a ‘synod mind-set’ in the People of God.
First steps
A synod is something you can’t just jump into. I consulted with various groups about the possibility of a synod – the College of Consultors, the Priests’ Council, lay members of the pastoral areas and others. Once I received a favourable response, I asked Fr Éamonn Fitzgibbon, our Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Planning if he would become Director of the Synod. He had just completed doctoral studies in ministry in the area of parish development and renewal.
Fr Éamonn took on the new task as Director of the Synod with enthusiasm and he has worked tirelessly at it since (even if it has probably cost him many sleepless nights)! He travelled to where other synods had taken place, to discuss the ins and outs of the process. He read the literature on synods and studied the documentation, especially a 1997 Vatican Instruction on Diocesan Synods. He is ably assisted by Karen Kiely of our diocesan office, who has done Trojan work in the administrative aspects of the synod.
After the initial pastoral letter in September 2014 announcing the synod entitled, ‘Together in Mission: A Time to Begin Again’, I formed a Preparatory Commission that has met faithfully every month. The approximately 400 delegates were elected. Along with these many others have given generously of their time and talents as resource people, speakers and leaders of catechesis and prayer.
Process
I know that other articles in this newspaper outlined various steps of our journey to date so I’ll just refer to them briefly – those steps included questionnaires, focus groups and parish gatherings involving over 5,000 people; the media advertising, Synod Sundays (updating parishioners throughout the diocese) and public conferences; the gatherings of delegates, the presentation of the statistical profile of the diocese, themed meetings pin-pointing specific ideas, and then the final more recent phase, the actual formulation of 100 proposals that we will be voting on at the synod.
The 150-page workbook now in the hands of the delegates is a wonderful summary of what has emerged to date. It will now guide delegates at the synod this weekend. The six main themes are:
(1) Community & Sense of Belonging;
(2) Faith Formation;
(3) Pastoral Care of the Family;
(4) New Models of Leadership;
(5) Liturgy and Life;
(6) Young People.
For all of us the journey has been unfamiliar territory and there has been a sense of adventure.
Fr Éamonn was inspired with a phrase that must have come from God because it kept reassuring us at each point along the journey: “We are where we’re meant to be.” At times, I wondered how we would get to the point of having proposals clearly discerned, laid out and presentable for a synod. But, thankfully, we’ve got to that point.
Challenges
The very word synod was unusual at the beginning. Some suggested changing it, but it has now become part of the vocabulary of the diocese. Throughout the synod process a wide variety of themes surfaced. We’ve needed a lot of listening, talking and clarifying.
We expressed hopes and wishes, but also had to name fears and anxieties. It has been important to come together also as diocesan clergy because so much of the synod outcomes will impact directly on their day-to-day lives and ministry.
We have been open and inclusive throughout this process, to the extent that even some issues arose which are beyond my specific diocesan remit. These will still be discussed, though cannot be among the proposals for change we are voting on, as they are not within my diocesan jurisdiction. These issues, however, were not by any means the ones most exercising those we canvassed, so the delegates most definitely have much to work with and consider at the weekend
Young people are the future of the Church and many of them took part in various moments of the synod process. Just a few weeks ago, there was a session for 60 young adults formulating proposals for the synod. There’s always more you could do with and for young people. I am grateful for their input and they’ll have the advantage of being able to take part in future synods.
Hope
What do I hope for the synod? A line from John of the Cross comes to mind – expect nothing and you’ll find everything! I’m already delighted at what has been achieved – a wave of hope-filled renewal has moved through the diocese. One priest commented to me recently that “it has been a remarkable journey”. The three days of the synod will, I hope, be a moment of God.
Most delegates have approached the whole synod with inner prayerfulness and depth. I’m curious to see what will emerge. Some say to me that I’ve had courage to call a synod. I don’t see it as a question of courage but of conviction.
It’s the right thing to do, a gift from the Church to help us hear where Jesus in whose name we gather, wants to lead us. And I also realise it’s after the synod that the real work will begin.
Dr Brendan Leahy is Bishop of Limerick.
