by Cardinal Stephen Chow, SJ
I am writing this message before the start of the final week of the Synod 2023. The schedule of the synod is tight with many sessions of “Conversation in the Spirit” and listening during the panel sessions. Indeed, having intentional listening throughout a span of weeks is no joke.
I believe many participants, including myself, are tired. However, this certainly does not mean we regret being a part of the synod. In fact, the participants are engaged because we are well aware of the significance of this synod for the future of our Church. It is, therefore, our honour to be nominated or invited to be participants of this synod.
One thing that impresses me about the Holy Spirit working among us, is that no matter how clearly different our opinions on some important matters are, we still want to be respectful with each other and to look for convergences as we discern. This does not mean we try to overlook divergences. It is important not to hide or smooth away divergences for the sake of harmony. In fact, all divergences and questions are clearly recorded.
Divergence is an invitation for the dialogical parties to go deeper in the dialogue and to ask for the grace of more trust in the Holy Spirit, which means greater inner freedom for us to discern and follow. But we must learn to respect the process and not to force others to give in for convergence.
Yet, I can say that I have witnessed no little convergences in my groups as we try to listen and understand each other’s perspectives with feelings in them. Empathy is truly the connector through which identification for convergences is made possible. In my own experience, I have been able to hold different perspectives together while not insisting one is necessarily better than the others. In that way, we can explore other options as fellow seekers. For empathy is humble love. And in love we encounter the Spirit of God.
I understand that there are some fears and anxieties about the possibility of this synod moving our Church in some wrong directions. While I can empathise with their concerns, I am also confident that the participants, coming from different sectors of the Church, holding different theological and spiritual vantages, yet truly loving the Church as our Holy Mother Church, are conscientious of such a risk as well.
Therefore, we pray, share, listen and discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us in the different topics, which are derived from the concerns expressed at the diocesan and continental phases of the synod. Unless we are so powerful that we can dispel the Holy Spirit from the synod, which is unlikely, we will see the process, though with its imperfections, has the footprints of the Spirit throughout. If holiness is understood as the degrees of closeness between God and us, individually or collectively, we should therefore pray for the closeness of the Holy Spirit with us—participants of the synod.
I have been asked what concrete contributions this synod will provide to the Church and our world. I can only say that we are still in a process that will come to some kind of a conclusion next year. The participants are very much aware that no discernment is of value if it does not move us into decisions and actions. Discernment is for our communion and mission. Neither one of these two can suffice on its own without the other if they are to be meaningful at all. So, please allow me to ask for your patience and prayers at this important stage of the synod.
Finally, I am not going to report on the content of the synod because of its confidentiality. Please rest assured that an interim “Letter to the People of God” and a synthesis report will be issued to keep you informed. Interim because we will have the second assembly in October 2024, which may then provide conclusive recommendations to Pope Francis for his discernment and actions, if it pleases the Lord.
After a month away from Hong Kong, I am happy to be back and to continue with my mission as a member of the synod, bishop of Hong Kong, and cardinal for the universal Church. Please pray for me!
+ Stephen Chow, SJ
