By Father Peter Choy Wai-man
The study camp for clergy this year held in early January, focused on how to implement the vision of the Advent pastoral letter last year. Some participants admitted that they had been disappointed to see that the camp was conducted in the form of spiritual conversations because it was very similar to the diocesan annual retreat last November. They were worried that the camp would become another retreat. Yet, after just three days, even though the schedule was a bit tight, many participants felt joyful, peaceful, grateful, happy, fulfilled and even surprised. Was it a disappointing or surprising study camp?
The content of the study camp may have always been outward-focused, mainly on issues such as the challenges posed to the Church by the changes in Hong Kong society and how the Church can respond theologically or pastorally, so a reasonable expectation of the participants is to learn concrete actions and methods to deal with them.
Unlike in previous years, this year’s camp had an inward focus, that is, on the awareness of one’s inner state in certain events and experiences. Therefore, the whole process was an effort to guide participants to identify the various movements that naturally emerge within their minds. From this perspective, it is not difficult to understand why some participants felt that the camp was just like another retreat or that, in terms of external actions, the camp did not come up with a concrete consensus or strategy on how to achieve a synodal Church.
However, unlike regular personal meditation or retreat, this inward-focused learning makes participants aware of their inner voice, including feelings, perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, existing pains and desires, etc. Although the voices within each of us were different, through opening up and listening to each other, we slowly realised that they seemed to be coming from the same Holy Spirit, allowing each of us to feel a silent resonance, a communion and trust that we had never experienced before.
Some participants shared that priests can easily communicate and interact with each other regarding ideas, but they rarely have the opportunity to share their inner feelings, even if they live in the same parish or group. Perhaps this heartfelt sharing, listening, acceptance and empathy made many participants feel joyful, peaceful, grateful, happy and fulfilled during the camp.
In fact, synodality is not a set of actions or methods for the Church to solve problems, nor is it a model for democratisation, but an intrinsic characteristic of a journeying Church. That is why the early Church was able to navigate its way through external challenges and continued to experience the redemption and forgiveness of the resurrection in the path of sin and suffering. This is because the Church exists to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in different people and to discern the work of different charisms.
Therefore, synodality does not mean a set of theories and actions but an experience and discernment that is constantly open to the Holy Spirit. It is hoped that the implementation of the vision of the Advent pastoral letter last year will begin with this inner transformation of the clergy after being touched by the Holy Spirit.
