Dioceses around the world have begun the first phase of the Synod
of Bishops — a period of listening and reflecting on the local level in
preparation for the gathering in Rome in two years. In Arlington, Bishop
Michael F. Burbidge was joined by members of the diocesan synodal team at the
Cathedral of St. Thomas More for the Oct. 17 Mass for the Opening of the 2023
Synod of Bishops.
Since the Second Vatican Council, the church has held Synods of
Bishops, most recently focusing on topics such as the family and young people.
This synod focuses on the topic of synodality itself. “Being a synodal Church
finds expression in ecumenical councils, Synods of Bishops, diocesan synods,
and diocesan and parish councils,” notes the Vademecum, a preparatory Vatican
document for the synod. “Yet being a synodal Church is not limited to these
existing institutions … The Synodal Process is no longer only an assembly of
bishops but a journey for all the faithful, in which every local Church has an
integral part to play.”
The Vatican asks that each diocese ruminate on two questions: How
does this “journeying together” take place today on different levels (from the
local level to the universal one), allowing the Church to proclaim the Gospel;
and what steps is the (Holy) Spirit inviting us to take in order to grow as a
synodal Church?
“The purpose of this Synod is not to produce more documents,”
said the Vademecum. “Rather, it is intended to inspire people to dream about
the Church we are called to be, to make people’s hopes flourish, to stimulate
trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from
one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts, and restore
strength to our hands for our common mission.”
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge noted that the synod is not about
changing church structures or doctrine, but about listening to the Holy Spirit.
He asked that everyone throughout this synodal process be willing to surrender
to God, to suffer with one another and to serve the Lord and his Church. “With
(the Holy Spirit’s) help, we will carry out this process in communion with one
another, with active participation and our focus on the mission, which is to
proclaim the truth and the joy of the Gospel, to help each other grow in
holiness so that we might live with the Lord both now and forever,” he
said.
The eight members of the synodal team, who represent Catholics of
different vocations, ages and ethnicities, will help coordinate the diocesan
process. Father Donald J. Planty Jr., pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in
Arlington, and Joel de Loera, director of the diocesan Spanish Apostolate, are
co-leaders. Other members include Deacon Malcolm L. D’Souza of Holy Spirit
Church in Annandale; Dominican Sister Ann Dominic Mahowald, assistant principal
at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Potomac Shores; Patrick
Piccolo, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Herndon; Lauren Petron, a
parishioner of St. Rita Church in Alexandria; Aaron Zanca, a parishioner of the
Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria; and Rebecca Wong, a parishioner of St.
Charles.
Though final plans are still in the works, Father Planty believes
diocesan parishes will hold listening sessions in English and Spanish during
Advent. Notes from those gatherings will be forwarded to Bishop Burbidge, who
will submit a 10-page report to the Vatican in April. “This is the first time
consultations are taking place in every diocese in preparation for the world
Synod of Bishops,” said Father Planty. “It’s an extraordinary initiative.”
Last month, Bishop Burbidge announced a diocesan strategic plan
that was created after months of dialogue with people around the diocese. That
ongoing initiative will strengthen the synodal process, said Father Planty. “One
of the aims of the synod is to encourage synodality at every level of the
church on an ongoing basis. Our diocese has already shown that to be a priority
in our diocesan consultations for our strategic plan,” he said. “So, Bishop
Burbidge and our diocese have anticipated the importance of synodality already
in the wide-scale consultation that has taken place for our diocesan strategic
planning.”
