(begin) The synodal experience has enabled hundreds of thousands of Catholics throughout the United States to re-engage in the simple practice of gathering, praying together, and listening to one another. There was wide acknowledgment from the regions that the call to participate in a synodal time in the Church was initially met with skepticism and suspicion; however, the regions also report that the experience itself dispelled many of the misgivings that participants brought with them to the process. Within a context of pandemic, polarization, and ongoing wounds of the clergy sexual abuse scandal, there has appeared a seed of renewal, “a commitment to re-learn the art of listening and envision a new mission, goals, and priorities – remembering that we are on a pilgrimage together.”
Discernment is a practice of the Church carried on in a spirit of prayer, meditation, and ongoing dialogue. The Spirit is the principal agent of discernment and leads us together to gaze upon the face of Christ in one another. Local, attentive listening to one another within and outside of the Church; participation, honesty, and realism; and a continued willingness to learn accompany discernment. The rediscovery of listening as a basic posture of a Church called to ongoing conversion is one of the most valuable gifts of the synodal experience in the United States.
The synodal consultations report that hearing the joys and witnessing to the wounds that others have experienced, with an inclined heart, has opened a way forward for the Church in the United States to better experience and express its communion as a people united in a common faith. The next step for the U.S. Church is to give special attention to its parishes and dioceses, even as we continue participation in the continental and universal phases of the Synod, for that is where the People of God most concretely encounter the Spirit at work and where the first fruits of this discernment will be realized. The call is an ongoing challenge.
At this moment in the synodal journey, one may agree or disagree with some of the perceptions heard and expressed, but we cannot assume they have no importance in lived reality. To the extent persons of differing experiences and perceptions of “what’s really going on” in the Church continue to meet and listen to one another, perceptions become more realistic and less based on broader cultural or political narratives. Insight becomes more profound when perceptions are based on actual listening and personal experience. “The value of simply listening is a clear message of the Synod process. People must be able to speak honestly on even the most controversial topics without fear of rejection. We must be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. That will require an understanding of what is central to the identity of church, diocese, and parish; and what changes can help us grow rather than feel threatened. Faith formation can help us develop greater understanding and grow in trusting the Holy Spirit who, as the Adsumus prayer reminds us, is ‘at work in every place and time.’”62 This is a path we have begun. Much depends on how we rediscover the spiritual discipline of listening and genuinely reintegrate spiritual aspects of discernment into local church life. Attentive listening in the Church provides the catalyst for engaging discernment.
Discernment attends to the voice of the Lord in the Church’s liturgy, in the Church’s teaching tradition, and in the voice of the lived experience of the People of God. Many dioceses report that the listening experience provided valuable participatory input concerning local parish and diocesan priorities and plans. This indicates that the local fruits of synodality are of enduring value. A common thread throughout the various consultations was that parishes hoped to continue to build on the foundation Engaging Discernment usccb.org/synod 13 that has been established in the synodal consultations. “It was frequently reported that the participants would welcome more opportunities to be listened to and to hear the expressions of others’ views on the faith and the life of the Church. It was thought that this might contribute in a significant way to overcoming the polarization that is felt everywhere. Some noted how few opportunities are offered for true listening in a culture where we routinely speak past each other.”
Discernment forward must also involve continued engagement with communities that our initial efforts at synodality have not robustly engaged. “African Catholics, Deaf Catholics, and Disabled Catholics all told stories of being overlooked and unseen.”64 This includes further encounters with indigenous peoples as well as diverse ethnic and cultural communities, including immigrant communities from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and other recent arrivals. Many experience the effects of displacement and live a kind of “invisibility” in the midst of the wider Church. Linguistic and cultural diversity is a persistent challenge to local parishes.
It is particularly noteworthy that local discernment is taking place about how to overcome standoffish or elitist attitudes, and how to welcome without judging. “Whole groups of people feel that the teachings of the church preclude their sense of being welcome in the community. We need to examine the way in which certain teachings are presented, to demonstrate that we can be faithful to God without giving the impression that we are qualified to pass judgment on other people.” Engaging and discerning with our sisters and brothers who experience the woundedness of marginalization, as well as those whose voices were underrepresented within the synodal process, will be essential for the unfolding of the synodal journey in our dioceses and in our country. Local communities report their experiences and hopes in this regard, but also report the tension of not always knowing how to catechize and evangelize in a way that does not impede the welcome, and the desire to accompany with compassion the wounded in our Church and in wider society. The local churches live this tension in the hope that synodal reflection on the level of the Universal Church will offer more guidance and direction so as to foster communion, strengthen participation, and effectively engage in the mission of the Church.
Gratitude is a gift of the Holy Spirit, which is essential for authentic discernment. Throughout all the synodal consultations, the People of God have continually shared their expressions of joy and gratitude for the invitation to journey together on the synodal path. These spiritual conversations and fraternal dialogues have renewed a sense of common love and responsibility for the good of our Church—in our parishes, in our dioceses, and in our country. Through participation in the diocesan phase of the Synod, the People of God have already begun to build the Church for which they hope. Listening brings forth the impetus toward healing our enduring wounds, and enhancing our healthy communion and participation, which is vital for living out our mission. This synthesis, as well as the syntheses generated on the local level, are an invitation to ongoing attentive listening, respectful encounter, and prayerful discernment. (end)
This last part of the report begins with: "Within a context of pandemic, polarization, and ongoing wounds of the clergy sexual abuse scandal, there has appeared a seed of renewal, 'a commitment to re-learn the art of listening and envision a new mission, goals, and priorities – remembering that we are on a pilgrimage together.'” Are we?
Here is where the rubber meets the road. If we are to be committed to "envision a new mission, goals, and priorities" (whatever they may be) as part of the apparent "seed of renewal," to what extent is the Vatican with its clerics willing to plant and water those seeds having to grow in soil continuing to be contaminated by polarization and the horrific clergy sex abuse scandal? We shall see, or will we?
Deacon David Pierce
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