By Father Peter Choy Wai-man
“Synodality” appears to be a reform of the Church implemented by Pope Francis in recent years, but it is, in fact, the realisation of the Second Vatican Council’s vision 60 years ago. On the one hand, the Council was intended to rekindle the original intention of the Church by going back to its early history; on the other, it was designed to move forward following the signs of the times in order to carry on the Church’s mission and purpose.
The synodality of the Church today, like that of the early Church, is to listen to and discover the gifts and duties granted by the Holy Spirit to different members of the Church and then, under the leadership of the bishops, to work in communion and collaboration with one another, each doing their part in the evangelisation mission. Therefore, synodality can be said to be a renewal of the nature of the Church.
Synodality emphasises collaboration and spiritual conversation among all members of the Church, including lay people, clergy, bishops, and other Church leaders. On the path of synodality, decisions are made through discernment and dialogue rather than a top-down approach. The leadership model of clergy in the Church is crucial for catering to and leading the renewal of the Church. This is clearly reflected in the results of last year’s diocesan consultation and is the expectation and opinion of many laypeople.
In order to change top-down decision-making, what qualities should clergy leadership models possess? In a recent reflection, I read four aspects:
Firstly, synodality is about group decision-making and shared responsibility, and in this context, clergy are leaders who work in partnership with others. The development of this leadership model requires an emphasis on the importance of listening and dialogue and the ability to work together as a team and build consensus.
Theologically, synodality also involves a change in the image of the Church and the development of the role of the laity. A shepherd who leads a synodal church needs to have a deeper understanding of the importance of lay commitment, service, and participation in the decision-making process in the Church. He must value the opportunities for exchanging perspectives and provide space for developing various gifts within the community.
In addition, proper pastoral training is essential to building a synodal church. In addition to basic theological and biblical knowledge, clergy need to acquire the ability to accompany others on their journey of faith. They should know how to foster a sense of community and belonging among the faithful. They should also know how to “go out” to respond to the needs of marginalised and disadvantaged groups.
Finally, the synodality of the Church is about responding to the present challenges and keeping up with the times. As such, an ordained person on the journey of synodality needs to be open to continuous learning and engage in ongoing dialogue and collaboration with others in the community. This includes a willingness to learn from others, be open to new ideas and perspectives, and respond to the needs of the community.
