Bishop McElroy: Pope Francis and Vatican II give us a road map for the synodal process

By Bishop Robert W. McElroy, 9 June 2022
Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop of San Diego. Image: Catholic Diocese of San Diego.

 

Can synodality become a deeper element of Catholic life in the United States? Our current process may prove this to be so. One of the central sentiments expressed in our diocesan synodal consultations has been that the people of God have at times not been meaningfully heard and responded to in the institutional life of the church, and they fear that the synodal process might be another in a series of moments when hopes are raised only to be frustrated. But the current synod process offers a glimpse of a church yet to come. Hundreds of thousands of Catholics have engaged with the church on their joys, their sorrows and their hopes for what the church can be today and tomorrow.

Across the United States, dioceses, parishes and religious communities have undertaken intensive processes of consultation and dialogue in order to help prepare for the global synod on synodality that will take place in Rome in October 2023. Soon, each local church will forward to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops a formal report on their consultation, which will contribute to the work of the global church.

Fortunately, the theology and practice of synodality that have already emerged from the Second Vatican Council and the writings and actions of Pope Francis provide an architecture for us to continue substantive synodal formation during the next two years. This architecture consists of three elements: the see-judge-act methodology that lies at the heart of the synodal process, the characteristics of a synodal church that Pope Francis has articulated, and the overwhelming imperative for constant and effective evangelization that has been a hallmark of the pontificates of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict and Pope Francis.

To continue reading this article, click here.

Bishop Robert W. McElroy is the bishop of San Diego. He holds degrees in history and political science from Harvard and Stanford universities as well as a licentiate in sacred theology from the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley, Calif., and a doctorate in moral theology from the Gregorian University in Rome. On May 29, 2022, Pope Francis announced that Bishop McElroy will be made a cardinal of the church on Aug. 27, 2022.

With thanks to America and Bishop McElroy, where this article originally appeared.

 

Read Daily
* indicates required

RELATED STORIES