Synodality : Concept, Reality and Promise.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Abeyasingha, Nihal.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (240 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Bradford : Ethics International Press Limited, 2025.

Summary:

Though much has been written on the pastoral dimension of Pope Francis' approach, there is little or none on the specific impact and call of the Synod. "Towards a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission" is the programme proposed by Pope Francis for the Church. These are good and noble concepts, but in their implementation, human sin is bound to enter. While elaborating on the promise of this programme, little or nothing has been said of the interaction of implementation and the negativity of sin. This new book aims to identify some of the negative elements functioning in the implementation of the programme. It introduces a nuancing of Christian reflection in the spirt of Pope Francis, especially in seminaries and places for the formation of religious. With the conclusion of the Catholic Synod (2021-2024), there is a need for intellectual, moral and religious conversion in order to bring forth the fruits of the Synod. The book also offers a proposal for the elaboration of doctrine - a paradigm for theology - in terms of the Pope's programme - a theology that is a "journeying together" that is a "journeying out" of selfishness. The book will be of interest to all faculties of Catholic Theology, and wider students and researchers of modern faith and religion.

Contents:

Intro

Diagrams and Tables

Preface

Evangelizing and Being Evangelized: Communion, Participation, Mission

A pastoral approach

The place of doctrine

Assessing the situation in discernment

The "Monuments" established by Pope Francis

Pope Francis' hope

Synodalization of the Church

Synodal structures in the Church

Listening and discerning together

Listening in the awareness of sin, which clouds the vision

John Henry Newman

Synodos: Discovering the path together

The initiative of Pope Francis for the 2023/24 Synod

How far have synodal structures achieved the ideal of Synodality?

Synodality and Synodal Structures

Catholic Church as Twenty-three Churches in communion

Two traditions in communion

Polyhedron image of the Church

The theological issues in process

The spirit of Vatican II and the establishment of the Synod of Bishops

A second step: An elaboration by Pope Francis

Invitation to those competent to contribute

Keeping on the "Way"

Synodality and the Reality of Sin in the Church

Social Sin

Power in general

The exercise of power in the Church

Pastoral power

Two specifics in pastoral ministry

Pastoral care for all and each (Omnes et Singulatim)

Renewal of pastoral ministry

Obstacles to Synodality: Will Pope Francis' Synodality Be Received?

Notional assent versus real assent

Three stages of life (Kierkegaard)

What of Synodality?

What is the state of play?

The people on a journey are "grumblers"

Responding to grumbling

Because we are not yet fully redeemed, whatever solution is reached, remains imperfect

Are the people of God, clergy and laity, ready for Synodality? Will they assist each other?

The situation today

Journeying forward

The Synod Ends: The True Journey Begins.

Letter to the People of God - "A Synodal Church on Mission"

After the first session of the Synod

After the second session of the Synod

The spirit of the process

Repentant sinners (ecclesia reformans) in search of God: "Agreeing to Disagree" while maintaining communion, is the process:

Communion-Participation-Mission

False versus true reform: Personal and collective agenda versus God's message

The process of Listening - Discernment - Accompaniment

The pre-condition to waiting on the Lord: Conversion

An Emerging Theology of Synodality

The Exodus: Primordial memory

Acts: The journey continues

Francis' emphasis on mercy and fraternity

The Church is mission

The Journey in a world with decreasing religious affiliation

The tasks of mission

Ultimately the Holy Spirit is the Protagonist

"Preach the Gospel at all times: Use words if necessary"

Select Bibliography.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-83711-164-2