VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has decided the next world Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, which will take place in October 2022, will have the theme: “For a synodal church: Communion, participation and mission.”
The Vatican announced the choice of “synodality” as the theme in a brief communique March 7.
“Synodality,” which literally means “walking together,” has become a key topic of Pope Francis’ pontificate, but one which has raised questions and even confusion.
The basic idea in the pope’s teaching is that the grace of baptism makes one part of the body of the Church and, therefore, responsible for its life and mission. In a hierarchical church, that shared responsibility calls for regular, serious and structural forums for listening to all members of the Church. At the same time, as the pope has said, it does not mean putting decisions to a vote as if a synod were a parliament.
In 2018, the International Theological Commission published a document on the topic, “Synodality In the Life and Mission of the Church.”
Synodality, which has been present in Christianity since its very beginning, the document said, is not simply about involving people in decision making, but involving all the baptized in discerning God’s will and listening to the Holy Spirit. The goal, it said, always is to find the best ways for every baptized person to fulfill the church’s mission of proclaiming God’s love and salvation in Jesus Christ to the world.
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