Selling Radical 'Synodality' as 'Social Prophecy' If synodality is "not a programme needing to be implemented" why does the Synod Secretariat's website present it as a programme needing to be implemented? In 2028 the Synod Secretariat will host an Ecclesial Assembly. If Synodality is "not a project with a 2028 deadline," does that mean that the Ecclesial Assembly is simply the first of an endless series of Ecclesial Assemblies? If synodality is "not one more meeting", why are any more meetings being scheduled? What is the "deep identity of the Church"? Was this identity unknown until synodality was invented by Pope Francis? Who identified this deep identity and how did they do so? What is the difference between being "another Church" and "being a Church in a different way"? What does "being the Church in a different way" mean? Different from what? What do "clericalism, hierarchicalism and institutional self-sufficiency" mean? What is clericalism and who are the clericalists? What in the world is hierarchicalism? Isn't the Catholic Church hierarchical by nature, which means that it is governed by ordained hierarchs? Does God not give to the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, what is sufficient to carry out her mission to preach the Gospel, to sanctify mankind through the administration of the sacraments and to provide shepherds for the wise governance of the flock of Christ? What is the Church lacking and who can supply that need? Why is it posited that the Church at present lacks "a culture of listening, co-responsibility, discernment and genuine exchange"? What does co-responsibility mean? Does it mean that decision making by the hierarchy alone must be put aside in favor of co-decision making in which the hierarchy and the laity together govern the Church? What is social prophecy? Who engages in such prophecy? Who decides that it is true prophecy and not false prophecy, namely someone's opinion wrongly put forth as God's will? What is the grammar of peace? Does peace have a grammar?
By Fr. Gerald E. Murray The recent annual Assembly of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious received a video message from Pope Leo XIV, in which he said: All Christians are called to be builders of Christ's communion, formed in a synodal Church in which everyone cooperates in the same mission according to their own charism and ministry. In a special way, those in religious life are called to become experts in synodality due to the opportunities afforded by community life to practice it, as well as the very way that your congregations are organized. What, though, is "a synodal Church"…
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