“The global identity of the Catholic Church is amazing to see and experience,” said Sister Salazar, who underscored the need to “embrace any learning you can do.”
On to the next step
Saturday’s press conference marked the conclusion of the first “module” of the month-long Synod gathering, during which the 365 delegates discussed the topic “A synodal Church.” The discussions so far have focused on “the characteristic signs of a synodal Church” and “a way forward for the synodal Church: conversation in the Spirit.”
The Synod participants also spoke about the experience of the first module. Ruffini said that many of the public speeches by Synod members expressed gratitude for “the grace of this moment which is allowing us to experience the greatness of the Church.”
The first phase of the synod concluded with each of the 35 circuli minores, or “small circles,” submitting their final reports to the Synod secretariat, which will be responsible for producing a synthesis document to be approved by the assembly in the final phase of the Synod.
Prior to submitting their reports, each table had gone through a multi-step process, in which all 12 members seated expressed their views on the topic, gave feedback on the contributions of others, and heard the initial reports of other tables. Each table elected a “rapporteur” who was responsible for preparing the final summary report, which was approved upon receiving the support of a simple majority of table members.
Some of the emphases of the first module included the co-responsibility of the baptized, seminary formation, and “giving energy to think about new forms and places of participation.”
Ruffini said that some of the words that most frequently appeared in the table reports included “Jesus,” “Church,” “communion,” “family,” “listening,” “community,” “the poor,” and “love.”
With module A of the Instrumentum Laboris, the Synod’s working document, now complete, Synod participants will begin their discussion on Monday of the next module, “A communion that radiates.” The topics up for discussion under that theme include walking with migrants and the poor, taking concrete steps to include LGBTQ+-identifying people, and overcoming the exclusion of persons with disabilities.
Jonathan Liedl is senior editor for the National Catholic Register. His background includes state Catholic conference work, three years of seminary formation, and tutoring at a university Christian study center. Liedl holds a B.A. in Political Science and Arabic Studies (Univ. of Notre Dame), an M.A. in Catholic Studies (Univ. of St. Thomas), and is currently completing an M.A. in Theology at the Saint Paul Seminary.