Two Perspectives on the Synod's New 'Working Document'

The Catholic Thing

But first a note from Robert Royal: Last week the Vatican issued the Instrumentum laboris, the working document that will guide the Synod on Synodality's October session this Fall. Two of our regular and most perceptive watchers of the "synodal process," Father Gerald Murray and Stephen White, have written quite probing commentaries on a document hard to get a grip on. We present both of them today. Now for the column, "Revolution Masquerading as Deeper Fidelity," by Father Gerald E. Murray The Instrumentum laboris [IL] for the October 2024 Synodal Assembly has now been published. The topic for consideration by the synod delegates is "How to be a Synodal Church in Mission." The answer given in the IL is simple and stark: we must change the way the Church is governed. Bishops and priests must cede authority to the laity, especially women. New power-sharing arrangements must be implemented to uphold (finally!) the faithful's baptismal equality. To reassure those who might be alarmed by this prospect, the IL at the outset states that "synodality in no way entails the devaluation of the particular authority and specific task that Christ entrusts to the pastors." (¶ 8) If only that were true. In fact, the devaluation of the pastors' authority is introduced and vigorously defended: The question "How to be a synodal Church in mission?" prompts us to reflect concretely on the relationships, structures and processes that can foster a renewed vision of ordained ministry, moving from a pyramidal way of exercising authority to a synodal way. Within the framework of promoting baptismal charisms and ministries, a reallocation of tasks whose performance does not require the sacrament of Orders can be initiated. A more detailed distribution of responsibilities will favour decision-making and taking processes marked by a more clearly synodal style. (¶ 36.) Decision making is part of the ordinary governance of the Church's pastors. It is an inherent aspect of the priestly ministry of those who exercise a share in the power of Christ, Priest, Prophet, and King. Yet the IL claims that the new synodal approach requires that this authority be circumscribed: It is difficult to imagine a more effective way to promote a synodal Church than the participation of all in decision-making and taking processes. This participation takes place based on a differentiated responsibility that respects each community member and values their respective skills and gifts in view of a shared decision. (¶ 67) "Shared decisions" means that bishops and priests no longer have the right to decide on their own. This diminishment of their authority is justified as an act of "obedience to the Holy Spirit": An orientation that emerges in the consultative process as the outcome of proper discernment, especially if carried out by the participatory bodies of the local Church, cannot be ignored. The aim of synodal ecclesial discernment is not to make the bishops obey the voice of the people, subordinating the former to the latter, nor to offer the bishops an expedient to make decisions that have already been taken seem more acceptable, but rather to lead to a shared decision in obedience to the Holy Spirit. (¶ 70, italic emphasis added) The IL even states that the success and credibility of the Synod depends on power sharing: It is up to the local Churches to increasingly implement all the possibilities of giving life to authentically synodal decision-making processes that suit the context's specificities. This is a task of great importance and urgency since the successful implementation of the Synod largely depends on it. Without tangible changes, the vision of a synodal Church will not be credible. This will alienate those members of the People of God who have drawn strength and hope from the synodal journey. This applies most especially to the effective participation of women in drafting and decision-making and taking processes, as called for in many of the contributions rece...