In an interview with Cardinal Stephen Chow and Vanessa Cheng by the Sunday Examiner and Kung Kao Po, the two synod members from the Synod of Bishops on Synodality shared their insights from the synodal assembly in Rome concluded last October. They reflected on key themes such as the importance of listening with empathy, conversion of mentalities, the role of women in the Church. Additionally, they discussed the Church’s transformation from a “doing Church” to a “being Church,” rooted in the spirit of Vatican II. Here is the first part of their reflections from the interview on January 23:
Vanessa Cheng described the experience as both joyful and filled with expectation. Reflecting on the concluding Mass with Pope Francis, she noted the joy of witnessing the Holy Spirit’s work in the Church over the past three years. However, she acknowledged a lingering concern about ensuring that the synodal process does not stagnate. “The synodality experience opens a new page for the Church,” she remarked, emphasising the importance of carrying forward the mission to bring renewal to the Church and its members.
Cardinal Stephen echoed these sentiments, highlighting the transformative spirit of the synodal journey. He noted that the second assembly felt more harmonious, fostering deeper collaboration and understanding among participants. “Synodality is not about doing things,” he explained. “It’s about being a synodal Church. It’s about how we live and relate to one another.”
Conversion of relationships and mentalities
A key theme of the synodal process, as both Cardinal Stephen and Cheng pointed out, is the call for a conversion of relationships and mentalities. They emphasised the need to shift from a task-oriented approach to focusing on building relationships. “In Hong Kong, we are efficient and used to getting things done,” Cheng observed. “But conversion starts with examining our relationships—building trust, being open and honest, and fostering friendships.”
Cardinal Stephen elaborated on this point, stressing that being a synodal Church requires a deeper commitment to listening and collaboration. “The foundation of our work must be trust,” he said. “This trust allows us to build authentic relationships and make meaningful plans that truly reflect the spirit of the Church.”
A key theme of the synodal process, as both Cardinal Stephen and Cheng pointed out, is the call for a conversion of relationships and mentalities. They emphasised the need to shift from a task-oriented approach to focusing on building relationships
Addressing women’s roles in the Church
The role of women in the Church emerged as a significant topic during the synodal discussions. Cheng shared that women participants often expressed confusion about their roles within the Church. She cited the high opposition vote when addressing the recognition of women’s charisms in number 60 of the Final Document as evidence of a lack of consensus and ongoing divisions about women’s roles.
“Both men and women have their charisms,” Cheng said, stressing the importance of individuals finding their identity within the relationships in the Church. “We were all baptised. Everyone is a child of God, and achieving this balance can help one locate their role.”
She recounted a meeting with Pope Francis on October 19, where women participants from different continents expressed gratitude for the opportunity to voice their concerns but also shared their worries about potential regression in women’s involvement in future synods.
During the meeting, Klára Csiszár, a Hungarian woman theologian, highlighted the lack of recognition for female theologians in universities, while others advocated for more opportunities for women to engage in Church decision-making and mission work. These discussions underscored a collective desire for greater inclusion of women within the Church.
Cardinal Stephen emphasised the importance of mutual growth for men and women and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church’s leadership. “I think we should believe in the Holy Spirit,” he said. “I believe the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church through this Synodal process. The pope listens and discerns with others. While there may be concerns about setbacks or resistance, I’m confident that the role of women and laypeople in the Church is affirmed and will continue to progress, even if not always steadily. Conversion—of hearts, attitudes, and approaches—is critical, and this process begins with listening.”
Participation of Chinese bishops in the synodal assembly
Cardinal Stephen described the participation of bishops from mainland China in the synodal sessions as historic and significant. He recalled that Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Hangzhou and Bishop Anthony Yao Shun of Jining attended the first session of the synod in 2023 for two weeks. Despite rumours about their brief participation, their presence was met with curiosity and interest from other synod members eager to understand more about them.
However, for the second time, last October, the participation of the two bishops of Mainland China, Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu of Xiapu [Funing], Fujian and Bishop Yang and in the second session of the synod last year was historical as they took part in the whole session and spoke openly on different occasions.
She recounted a meeting with Pope Francis on October 19, where women participants from different continents expressed gratitude for the opportunity to voice their concerns but also shared their worries about potential regression in women’s involvement in future synods
“I was touched upon seeing the participation of bishops from the mainland. We are all Chinese,” the cardinal said. He fondly recalled Bishop Yang talking about the fact that the Church in China is always faithful to the apostolic succession. He welcomed anyone, whether in the synod or from outside, to visit the Church in China and see for themselves.
Then, Bishop Zhan discussed culture, focusing on the importance of understanding and respecting it. He used Father Matteo Ricci as a model, emphasising that in evangelisation, one must first comprehend the local culture and use it as a channel for evangelisation.
Embracing diversity in synodality
Cardinal Stephen also reflected on the nuances of synodality within the Chinese-speaking Church. He noted the two variations of the Chinese translation of “synodality”: “共議同行” [journeying with discussions] used in Hong Kong and Macau, and “同道偕行” [journeying within the same faith] used in the mainland and Taiwan. “While standardisation is valued, diversity is also a fundamental aspect of the Spirit of the Synodal Church,” he explained. Embracing these differences allows the Church to unite and collaborate, enriching its collective work.
Cheng expressed a similar sentiment, highlighting the unity among Chinese-speaking bishops despite geographical boundaries. She stressed the importance of different cultures collaborating and sharing resources, such as translated materials, to evangelise and promote community cooperation between Hong Kong and China.
A shared vision for the future
Looking ahead, Cardinal Stephen expressed hope for the release of a Chinese translation of the synod’s final document, which he believes will support collaborative efforts within the Chinese-speaking Church. Both he and Cheng remain optimistic about the future, viewing the synodal journey as a source of inspiration for building trust, inclusivity, and unity in faith.
