Synodal reform and why pastoral councils are the way forward
Slowly but steadily, Pope Francis’ synodal reform of the Roman Catholic Church is moving forward. The carping of those who are opposed to it is being swept aside. All over the world, local churches are grasping what is at stake. The Catholic laity in particular is starting to feel more listened to and included in decision-making, and the synodal machinery in Rome is responding appropriately, as last week’s media briefing at the Vatican indicated.
The time has come when these local churches must begin to look to their own devices to take the next steps forward. Time and again in the past the Church seems to have reached this point, but then moved no further. The history of the demand for a pastoral council in every diocese, for instance, is broadly a narrative of failure. Whether it is called lay participation or collaborative ministry, the theoretical framework is well rehearsed and has a solid foundation in the decrees of the Second Vatican Council, in canon law, in papal pronouncements and in other authoritative documents.
The theology has been done. But what progress has there been in 60 years? Had diocesan synods been established as the Council proposed, the reforms now being promoted by Pope Francis would hardly have been necessary. The only bodies that can move things along, in Britain and Ireland as in the rest of the Catholic world, are bishops’ conferences. Some dioceses have taken the bull by the horns; some have had diocesan pastoral councils that have ceased to function; some have hardly started.
There are already many examples of highly successful lay-led initiatives, such as the Catholic schools system, Cafod, Sciaf and Trócaire’s national networks, and the spread of diocesan Caritas networks of which Caritas Southwark is the latest. Episcopal leadership is usually necessary on the launching pad, but many lay-led initiatives generate their own momentum. What would a national rebirth of the diocesan pastoral council idea look like? It would require a timetable, and an authoritative support and supervisory body to see it was not ignored. It would require the shaping of a structure and a draft model constitution. It would also require a modus operandi. Taking a lead from the business world, a diocesan pastoral council would reasonably expect to receive and consider annual reports from the various areas of Catholic life that the diocese is engaged in: safeguarding, education, welfare, finance, evangelisation, social justice, priestly training, property management, and so on. The diocesan bishop would preside, but not necessarily as chair. None of this is particularly difficult or particularly new, but it requires a firm push from above.
Pope Francis and the synod office in Rome are making all the right noises. Bishops’ conferences are beginning to realise that the incoming tide is unstoppable. Some bishops are already welcoming it and taking practical steps to express it. The others should follow. Better late than never.
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