The future of the Catholic Church

Q: Synod on Synodality, the broad consultation for the Catholic faithful that began in October 2021 in every diocese around the world, has finally come to an end. What are the key issues that emerged from this process?

Card Grech: First of all, I beg to differ. The event of the Synod came to an end but the Synodal process continues. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, approved and signed the document voted by the Assembly on October 25.

The Pope entrusted the document to the local churches for implementation, which is the very first time in the history of the Catholic Church.

We can say that we have started another phase of the Synodal process because the document is in the hands not only of the bishops but also of the local churches.

They are expected to translate the document not verbally but to translate the Synodal vision presented in pastoral options on the ground.

How is the church going to implement all the suggestions that have come from around the world during the Synod on Synodality process?

Every local Catholic Church is expected to read the whole document and implement its findings.

I can envisage various solutions and various conclusions. Because it is one thing for the church in Africa and another thing for the church in say Oceania, America, Europe and even in Asia.

There are fundamental principles that are common to all, but how these principles are incarnated in the local church depends on what the Holy Spirit will communicate in this framework of the Synodal Document to the local churches.

Is the Holy Father happy with the process?

Extremely happy. He is grateful for every baptised Catholic who has contributed to this process.

What are some of the highlights of the final Synodal document?

First and foremost, the Holy People of God are the subject of the Mission of the Church. So, the Holy People of God have been recognised as the subject of the Mission of the Church, respecting charisms and ministers. No party leads and the other follows. We all walk together. We retrieved this truth in the documents of Vatican II.

Another point in this document is the art of discernment. The document speaks not only about individual discernment but also ecclesial discernment. That is discernment carried out together.

This is what makes the difference between a church and an NGO or a political organisation. It is what makes the difference between a Synodal Assembly and a Convention. The Holy Father calls on us to listen to the Holy Spirit, to help us learn the art of ecclesial discernment.

The preparatory stage of Synod on Synodality has been concluded. What next?

Now we enter into the implementation phase. We need to wait for the local churches to find a way to implement this document.

At the same time, we need to come together again and celebrate the fruits and share the successes of the synodal process.

When this process started, some people were hopeful that certain controversial issues in the church, such as priests getting married and women ordinated, and issues of polygamists and LGBTQ would all be solved.

But we read that this was handed over to special groups to continue working on the issues. How far is the progress?

Let's be practical and reasonable. How can you imagine that in three weeks, the assembly was going to address these hot-button issues?

The list you have presented to me includes subjects that need a full Synod for themselves.

This does not mean that whatever has been brought to the fore in the assembly has been neglected.

The Holy Father selected 10 particular themes after the first assembly of the bishops’ synthesis report.

One of them was the pastoral aspect of those in polygamous situations. These issues have been entrusted to 10 working groups representing the whole church to work in a synodal way and to present their report by June 2025.

If they cannot conclude the report within this time frame, they can ask for an extension.

Certain things need more in-depth analysis and consultations.

Will there be a new way of formation for priests within the context of Synodality?

This is a must. Chapter 5 of the final document speaks about formation for all, not only for priests.

What key changes will Synodality bring to the church?

It has to bring a church that has space for all. A church that can listen to all. We need to open up our hearts and listen not to individual opinions but what the Holy Spirit is trying to communicate to us through these individuals.

This sort of listening process has a liturgical aspect. We need to listen to understand what is God's will. Through prayers, listening and meditation, everything will fall into place.

Do you foresee any changes in the church’s administrative structures due to Synodality?

Recently the Holy Father pointed out that the Synodal process will bring about a spiritual renewal and also new structures in the church.

Some of the less privileged in the church, such as the disabled, polygamists, single parents and LGBTQ still feel uncomfortable in the church. What is your advice to them?

Nobody should feel unwelcome in the church because it is for the family of God.

In a family, we all need to be together, loved and accepted. There should be space for all in the church.

How should Catholics co-relate with the Eastern Rite Churches, who accept the Pope as their leader, yet they do not follow some of the Catholic practices?

I hope that the Synodal process will bring a new ecumenical movement in our church.

Recently I spoke to a person who is involved in matters of ecumenical dialogue and he told me how he could not imagine the ecumenical richness and the new way the Synodal Document has contributed to the new way of ecumenism in our church.

Remember our starting point is baptism. The Oriental Churches and other Christian denominations share the same baptism and discipleship. We are all followers of Jesus Christ.

Chapter two of the Final Document on Synod on Synodality highlights the importance of a renewed relationship.

How should we relate with people who are openly against the Catholic Church's teachings but insist on being with us, such as polygamists?

We are all duty-bound to announce the gospel. If we encounter people with different ideas, it is okay. Let us dialogue with them as dialogue is key to evangelisation.

Let us have faith in the Holy Spirit as we are all on a journey.

How should we as a church be guided on matters Charismatic?

The church is charismatic. I don’t like the idea of separating charismatics and non-charismatics. In baptism, we received the Holy Spirit.

George Sunguh is a Member of the Communication Commission of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican