“A living Church, actively present, attentive to the signs of the times, without being held back by nostalgia.” With these words, Monsignor Erio Castellucci, President of the National Committee of the Synodal Way, introduced the Second Synodal Assembly, to be held in the Vatican from 31 March to 3 April. The Archbishop of Modena-Nonantola, Bishop of Carpi, reflects on this stage of the process, on the content of the proposals and on the contribution that the synodal process can offer to the life of the Church and the country.
Your Excellency, the Second Synodal Assembly marks a decisive stage in its prophetic phase. What fruits do you expect from this time of shared discernment?
This is a very important moment, because it is aimed at agreeing on a set of guidelines for action to be presented to the Assembly of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) next May. As far as the Synodal Assembly is concerned, this can be seen as the near completion of its prophetic phase. It will then be up to the Bishops to analyse all that has emerged in the last three years, also in the light of the final recommendations. I anticipate a fruitful participation, similar to that of the first Assembly, and a sincere expression of gratitude to Pope Francis, who initiated this process. We can also expect
the rediscovery of a living Church, actively present and attentive to the signs of the times, without being held back by nostalgia.
The Propositions that will be elaborated on are the fruit of a long synodal journey. According to which criteria will this document be drawn up and what will be its impact on the practical life of the dioceses?
There are two key criteria. The first is to collect and synthesise the outcomes of the three-year synodal journey: experiences, questions, expectations brought together during the narrative phase and examined in depth during the sapiential phase. The next step is to translate them into operational proposals. The content focuses on three key areas: the missionary dimension, centred on the urgency of addressing today’s major issues; formation, beginning with the Word and Christian initiation; co-responsibility, both in the governance of communities and in the management of institutions. It was decided to draw up
short, simple, essential Propositions: not speeches, but proposals that could be voted on, amended and integrated.
Joint responsibility, with a particular focus on lay and women’s ministries, is one of the main themes. Can this process lead to new forms of participation?
There is definitely an impetus in this direction. First of all, the established ministries are being better defined – reader, acolyte, catechist – and the possibility of new ministries, already mentioned by the General Synod, are being explored: listening, accompaniment, closeness. In many cases it is a question of responding to the needs of those on the margins, those who don’t usually participate in the life of the Church. These ministries require attention to the “threshold”, those places where, with appropriate approaches, we can welcome and engage those who have become distant.
The preparatory document mentions a conversion that is also structural. Where do you see the strongest resistance, and what changes are now regarded as essential?
There is certainly a need for structural reform. One example is the organisation of the curia, or particularly rigid modes of pastoral care.
Certain bureaucratic procedures, including the administration of sacramental certificates, would benefit from simplification: such procedures add a burden to proclamation. As always, there is resistance to change when it affects the established order: change is welcome as long as it applies to others. But I am seeing a growing awareness, especially among priests, that fewer structures to manage means more time, more energy and more joy in Gospel proclamation.
It can really make a difference.
Pope Francis has asked the Italian Church to “fulfil its commitment to the country to the best of its ability”. How can this task be fulfilled in the context of the Jubilee?
The fact that the final phase of the Synodal Journey coincides with the Jubilee Year is no coincidence. In fact it was planned this way from the beginning. Hope, the theme chosen by the Pope, is very much in line with our journey and is an integral part of the decade dedicated to the people. In a social context that is often dramatic, the Church is called to bear witness to the existence of another path. In 2015, in Florence, Pope Francis had already indicated this direction to us: a humble Church with a mother’s face, capable of being in the world without seeking visibility or power, but simply sharing the Gospel. Today his words can truly be considered prophetic.
Will there be a communal expression of solidarity with the Pope, who is currently convalescing?
We do indeed intend to do so at the beginning of the proceedings. The Holy Father was supposed to be with us for the opening of the Assembly, but unfortunately he will not be with us in person.
Our prayers and affection will convey our closeness to him on behalf of the Italian Church.
The final Propositions will be submitted to the Episcopate. Is there a risk that they will not be accepted in their entirety?
Personally, I don’t think so, for two reasons. Firstly, having participated in the Synod of Bishops, I encountered the same desire to move forward. In fact, occasionally there is even a desire to speed up the pace. The second is that all this work is based on the diocesan reports written and signed by the Bishops themselves. They will all be invited to the Assembly. I feel that so far the journey has been a truly shared one, with the lay faithful and the bishops sharing responsibility. I may be an optimist, but I have good reason to feel this way.
