After many months of organizing and participating in listening sessions, collecting reflections and developing reports as part of the Synod on Synodality process begun in late 2021, faithful in the Diocese of Camden see commonalities between observations and recommendations made at the diocesan level, and the themes reflected in the synthesis report released by the Vatican last month.
“I see an almost seamless continuity between the report and our own Diocese’s report,” said Father Joseph Wallace, diocesan director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco. “In fact, nationally, similar issues, opinions, hopes, desires, fears, and expectations about a more inclusive Church, came from all the dioceses, including our own.”
The three-year Synod on Synodality process, which was called for by Pope Francis, is intended to be a period of listening, prayer and dialogue for the global Church community. In the Diocese of Camden, this began with laity participating in listening sessions at the parish level and submitting comments to diocesan leaders. A report collecting those sentiments from throughout the Diocese of Camden was compiled and submitted for incorporation into a regional and national report from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Vatican collected reports from around the world, and generated the final working document – a 41-page report issued last month and discussed at the General Assembly in Rome.
Over the course of the next year, the Church will be challenged with digesting and reflecting on the synthesis, and offering feedback ahead of the synod’s final session in Rome next October. During that final session, concrete proposals will be developed to present to Pope Francis for his consideration.
Father Wallace joined Donna Ottaviano-Britt, diocesan director of Discipleship and Leadership and Secretariat for Pastoral Outreach, as delegates from the Diocese of Camden to attend a virtual assembly that was part of the crafting of the report for North America.
Beyond the diversity of voices and perspectives that was incorporated into the process, Father Wallace was also struck by the emphasis on listening that was common in each stage of the synod to date.
“One of the simple, yet very profound, messages that came out of the initial virtual assemblies that was woven into the synthesis document was the centrality of baptism as a universalizing and equalizing ground for the call for all to have a say about our Church in the modern era,” he said. “This emphasis on the dignity of baptism encompasses laity and ordained on an equal level. In fact, the final document said, the ‘synod was a good way for laity and clergy to realize that we are ALL the Church and that we have a co-responsibility for expanding the tent.’”
For Ottaviano-Britt, the synod highlighted a fundamental truth in Catholicism.
“For me, the compelling takeaway is the message of the Church for 2,000 years, and that is that Jesus died for everyone. A love so great, it drove him to the Cross,” Ottaviano-Britt said. “The essence of the synod is love … of God and neighbor. It’s a message of mercy because Jesus wants to know us, know our wounds and to heal our wounds as only he can. The great personal challenge of the synod for each of us is sharing this with another human being in every place God leads us.”
Edward Stafford was part of the team in Saint Thomas the Apostle, Brigantine, that coordinated listening sessions and collected perspectives to submit to the diocesan level.
“The synthesis is a useful summary of the discussions that took place, reflecting the diversity of opinions within a fairly ‘middle-of-the-road’ consensus of the delegates regarding the topics addressed,” he said. “The common theme that stood out most was reaching out to those who might not feel welcome in the Church or parish community due to some impediment to fully participating in the sacramental life of the Church or parish.”
Stafford believes the challenge at the parish level is centered on how to help those individuals remove those impediments, while also maintaining fidelity to Church teachings. “There exists the spirit of welcome and compassion, but also a commitment to faithfulness to the teachings of the Church,” he said.
Aurelio Calderon wants to review the synthesis with clergy from his parish, Saint Damien, Ocean City, and share that information with the Hispanic community. Calderon is the coordinator of Hispanic ministry at Saint Damien.
“I am looking forward to seeing what needs of Hispanics the bishops recognized,” he said, adding that the community is looking for solutions to issues including helping single mothers, increasing youth participation in the Church and strengthening marriages and families.
“It’s important for the head of the Catholic Church to know what is happening in the Hispanic communities within the Church,” he said.
Indeed, Ottaviano-Britt encourages faithful to review the synthesis report.
“I believe we all should take time as individuals to reflect on the Gospel proclaimed in every Church around the world on the last day of the Synod on Synodality, in which Jesus teaches us what to do and how to live,” she said.
She also referenced the reports that each parish created as part of the synod, and sees an opportunity to continue the work at the parish level.
“Some [parishes] have plans around them, and some may be gathering dust. The reports may need a fresh look,” she said. “Maybe it’s time to repeat the listening sessions – many were hopeful for this across the diocese. We have this experience now and we built our skills, making it more likely our invitations to a conversation can go much broader, invite more people from the community and proactively invite those who left to return – then listen to them.”
Father Wallace agreed, and emphasized that the process of the synod might be one of the biggest successes.
“I look with hope to the next phase of the synod,” he said. “I also think it is important for us to try to implement the process in our parishes throughout the Diocese.”
Managing Editor Jennifer Mauro contributed to this report.
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