RAISED CONCERNS DURING SYNODAL PROCESS (2021-2023

 There were some issues which were raised in Small Christian communities (SCC) that the participants chosen to be part of the synodal delegates would address in their deliberations. In the synodal mode, priests are exhorted to willingly listen to the laity, consider their wants in a fraternal spirit, recognise their experience and competence in the different areas of human activity, so that together with them they will be able to recognise the signs of the times. In the Church, no one person does everything, but different gifts are integrated with one another in the common mission. It is up to the pastor to ensure harmony among all and to promote the charisms present in the community in view of the mission. The Charisms take the form of ministries when they are publicly recognised by the community and by those responsible for leading the community. In this way, they are placed at the service of the mission stably and constantly.

The parish can't be centred on itself but oriented towards mission, called to sustain the commitment of so many people who in so many ways live and bear witness to their profession, in social, cultural and political activities. Each baptised person responds to missionary needs in the contexts in which they live and work, according to their dispositions, engaged civilly, politically, socially or ecologically, in the development of culture inspired by the gospel, including evangelisation of the digital environment.

All those who are baptised enjoy equal dignity and are involved in the common mission LG,n.9,32). Therefore, we have to be continuously transformed by the word of God and thus manifest those new relationships of mutual love by which the disciples of Jesus are recognised (John 13:35). All are sent and have to carry the Good News: women and men alike. The Church, as a people made one by the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (LG n. 4), can witness to the power of relationships founded in the Trinity, especially where individualism pervades cultures and societies. The union of the relationships that descend from the life of the Holy Trinity (Ecclesia de Trinitate) and which consists the very content of its mission within humanity.

In the synodal approach to priestly formation, the identity of the priest is vital in shaping one into a missionary outlook. The guidelines (principles and criteria) should be clear when dealing with ecclesial communion, closely knit union with God and the unity of the whole human race (LG.n.1) and then also not forgetting the joys and hopes, the friends and anxieties of the follower of Christ. (GS.n.1). This is the legacy of Pope Francis left for the Church, where synodality should be seen as an ordinary way of living and working (FD. n.30-31). The church is to nurture healthy relationships with the Lord, between men and women, in the family, in the local community, among social groups and religions, with all creation, a genuine relational conversion where God the Father has revealed Himself in Jesus and the Spirit.

Formation for the ordained ministry calls for a synodal missionary Church, at the service of the Episcopal Conference. This will involve the experts in the formation of priests who accompany, preside over, and instruct and are men who are outstanding in their apostolic zeal and synodal spirit. This will call for conversion that is first and foremost personal, but which must also be communal and structural. There is bound to be a re-emphasis on the need for integral formation that gives due importance to the human and affective dimensions, together with the spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions; greater attention to the ecclesial form of discernment of the call.

(MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT)Some delegates reminded the members that it was necessary that they, especially the priests, speak about the issues of the development of their people. The material and spiritual development of the people is directly related to their ability to support their Church and their Diocese. Delegates felt that this remark was appropriate to the Synod because the sacraments should not be isolated from daily life, which includes material development.

(​CLERGY/ LAITY COLLABORATION)Some priests remarked that often the laity do not assume their responsibility within the Church. The passivity of some of the laity is in conflict with the concept that the mission of the Church is a collective effort of the clergy and laity. The priests encourage the lay members to be more active as co-workers in the work of the Church. This Synod could be an opportunity to underscore the need for cooperative efforts throughout the diocese/ archdiocese.

 In contrast, some members who shared their sentiments on the same felt that some priests often exclude the laity in the decision-making process and collaborative effort of the church, thus rendering the laity passive. On the contrary, the laity should be encouraged to play an active part in the everyday activities of the Church, especially in bearing witness. This cooperative effort in the development of the Church is possible, even though the Church is hierarchical in structure. To facilitate the concept of cooperation, it will be necessary to formulate training programmes which will help to bridge the gap between the seemingly controlling attitude of the priests and the passivity of the laity. (Clericalism and ANTI-CLERICALISTS).

( ROLE OF THE YOUTH)Some members were concerned about the implementation of the synodal findings. The youth, in particular, were interested in knowing how the Synod would provide them opportunities to play a more active, visible role in the Church. The members had to be reminded that they would be the implementers of the synodal findings once the final document comes back for implementation.

(CHURCH PRESENCE IN SCHOOLS): A discussion on the increased role of the Catholic Church in Catholic-founded schools ensued. Because the youth are going astray and leaving the Church, it was felt that the Church needed a greater presence if it was to monitor and encourage the teaching and practice of religious education in schools.

 Religious Knowledge and Formation: The Synod members felt that the upbringing of many of our people allows a lack of religious knowledge and passiveness in liturgy or other parish activities. The issue was addressed extensively, and it was recommended that an ongoing formation programme be instituted in every parish to help bring about the desired change.

( SELF-RELIANCE)In discussing the issue of self-reliance, the bishop and I guess other bishops, had to remind the members that the assistance from outside the diocese /archdiocese was diminishing, and the members were urged to devise methods of being self-reliant. The African Church is now ready to support itself after 100 years. A paradigm shift in overdependence on donor support is the wrong way to go.

(MARGINALIZED CATHOLICS)The Synod participants also felt that the diocese/archdiocese needed to implement a programme which would address the situation of the marginalised Catholics, some of whom live in polygamous marriages.

 There should be ways to address some of the problems the Church encounters, such as ignorance of faith and lack of leadership.

(​PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE)The issue of preparation for the sacrament of matrimony was considered by the participants in the synodal process, and it was pointed out that often the couple were not adequately prepared to receive this sacrament. Because so many couples are not married in the Church, some priests are anxious to marry whoever asks to be married, even without due preparation. (To Cont...)