by Joseph Nangle, OFM
Pax Christi USA 2023 Teacher of Peace
A prayer ascribed to Saint Archbishop Oscar Romero put it this way: “It helps now and then to step back and take the long view.”
As the People of God come up on the culmination of this four-year Synod of Synods, there seems to be a kind of fatigue, a sense of futility, even dismissal regarding this great dream of Pope Francis. Recently the prestigious Catholic journal, The Tablet, ran two articles along those lines. Under the title “Is Synodality Failing,” a lead editorial in the July issue stated: “The Catholic Church is hardly agog with expectation as the next phase of Pope Francis’ program for synodal reform approaches.” In the same issue a lay woman calls the Synod a “Work Not in Progress,” referring principally to a loss of hope for inclusion of women as clergy in the Catholic Church.
This is where the observation about the “long view” comes into play. It will help to compare Synod 2021-2024 to Second Vatican Council, held 1962-1965. In that historic event, an elderly pope saw the need to “open the windows of the Church so that we can see out and people can see in.” John XXIII’s boldness caught an entrenched bureaucracy by surprise and strong forces sought to prevent the Council even from happening and when it did to “slow walk” it into irrelevance.
Nevertheless, thanks to Pope John’s influence even after his death, the Council continued. Three more years of hard, often boring, work produced 16 documents that covered a range of intra and inter church concerns: the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church and the Decree on the Catholic Churches of the Eastern Rite to name just two.
Reflecting on that epochal moment in the history of the Catholic Church in the light of the current Synod several comparisons and contrasts emerge. Vatican II was strictly a hierarchal event. Virtually every bishop of the Latin Church and many from Eastern Catholicism participated in the conciliar meetings at the formidable Basilica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. “Periti” (experts) were on hand to observe and assist the bishops but neither they, nor others of the faithful. had voice or vote in the official deliberations.
During those four years there was no consultation by bishops with the wider Church. Catholics learned of the Council’s progress through occasional Vatican press releases and fortunately from insightful reflections by on-site observers.
At the same time, during the four years of the Council and immediately afterward there was a growing sense that “something big” was happening there. However, only gradually was the true nature of this totally hierarchical event felt throughout the Catholic world. Pope John’s vision of the Council as a “Second Pentecost” took time to be understood and implemented. Rank and file Catholics slowly began taking to heart and acting on the conciliar declaration, for example, that the Church identifies itself as the People of God – hierarchy, laity, clergy, religious. Equally meaningful was the Council’s call for the Church to engage actively with the modern world.
The realization dawned that the “old Church” was gone.
Now, six decades later, another elderly pope sees the need for a similar event. This time, however, the process is “horizontal” – representatives of the entire People of God are equal participants in the process. Now the deliberations are taking place around tables in the enormous Pope Saint Paul VI audience hall. The process itself is historical and revolutionary and is being opposed sometimes viciously by the same “Prophets of Doom” as Pope John had called them.
Can we, then, derive hope from the Vatican II story of a seismic effect that was ever-so-slowly felt in Catholicism? Might we take to heart the rest of the prayer quoted above: that this Synodal process “may be incomplete but is [another] beginning, a step along the way”?
Joe Nangle OFM is a Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace and the 2023 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace. As a member of the Assisi Community in Washington, D.C., he is dedicated to simple living and social change. Joe also serves as the Pastoral Associate for the Latino community at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington, Virginia.
Thank you, Joe, for this reflection. Years ago I visited your parish as my youngest brother used to be a member there. It was an inspiring place. At the same time I was on the staff at St. John’s Interfaith Center in Columbia, MD!
At present, in my parish of 42 years, we are having a very hard time with 2 new part-time priests. Our Parish of the Resurrection began in 1969 as a Vatican II Parish and we have worked these many years to welcome ALL ( in action & inclusive language). Adult faith formation, liturgy and service to those in need have been key. We took the call of the Spirit very seriously to renew our faith and become more involved in spreading the “good news”.
The Synod has given us hope. But recent changes in our “leadership” has brought a “push back” to what we have worked hard to become. We are forbidden to use inclusive language in our liturgies among other things! We are not seen as true “Catholics” – no kneelers, statues all around, etc… It is a dilemma and our lay leaders are praying for the wisdom to know what to do as we see dear ones “walking away” from our community. John XXIII was my “favorite” Pope until Francis came…one with the same Spirit of openness and love for ALL peoples of the world…opening new windows! There is a “pushback” throughout the Church and against any progress of the Synod. I had hoped to live long enough to see women ordained ~ at least deacons, if not priests. But I am “running out of time”. Blessings for your offering of HOPE.
I remember a Mass shortly after Vatican II,
when a woman in her eighties, and me in my 30’s walked up to the altar, carrying the bread and and wine, bursting with Christ’s Love for the people of God.
When I read of the design and process of conversations for the Synod, I felt that same “bursting with Christ’s Love”.
I do believe it is another step along the way. I am grateful. Christ holds us ALL.
Jeanie Sweeney
And I am so grateful for all of you who stay faithful to this long slow path, while I ( now in my eighties) have recently joined a different community . This communion table welcomes all, even the seemingly lost ones who are longing for Love before they even know what it is.
Please be grateful for me too, for living out this different call.
Thanks Fr Joe for your insights on the Churches’ Mission and the Need of the Church to be Honest and Current.
The garb , as illustrated , of the hierarchy in procession is a throwback to medieval times. Wearing it shows the condition of the mind. The subordination of women is but one expression. The desire to Control another.
We speak of Peace without reserve but forget that it starts with Justice and Justice holds Nation States accountable for their actions including Genocide. The Catholic Church isn’t alone. Progressive Protestant churches have similar problems. The “faithful” in the pews fear stepping forward to illustrate the failures of our government and governments of Nation States throughout the World. Why is this? Are we being Controlled?
The people of Pax Christi are definitely an exception. Personal sins are sins of omission. We speak fearlessly to the Choir but not to the pews or to our neighbors outside.
We are on the cusp of a battle for the soul of our Nation. Nonviolence begins with speaking the TRUTH. NOW!
The Communion Table is for ALL. Thanks