“Were not our hearts burning within us?”: Takeaways of the Archdiocesan Pre-Synodal Consultation

The pre-synodal consultation is about to end as the consolidation of results from vicarial and parish consultations are being evaluated. The archdiocesan pre-synodal team was in the process of preparing the final document for presentation yesterday, May 21, 2022.

What are my takeaways of the truly Spirit-led process as a member of the team?

1. Pope Francis launched this new way of engagement of a wider circle of Catholics to allow voices from the local Christian communities, known as Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) and parishes to share their sentiments and aspiration for its leaders as they plan for the future of Catholic reform and renewal. The Archdiocese of Davao embarked on this task with diligence and care through a process of discernment and dialogue participated with enthusiasm and optimism by parishioners and their pastors.
2. Interestingly, the representation (of participants) is varied and there has been a lot of effort to reach out to the peripheries where Catholics have grown weary, disaffected, and indifferent. There is also a discernible level of appreciation and gratitude from these sectors and groups. While some from these groups courageously express their sadness, frustration, and pain of their experiences with certain leaders and members of their church, still—for many, they also admit their lack of initiative and failure to address their involvement. I believe this realization of being hurt and yet willing to give another try is gracious—an outcome of a Spirit-filled journey.
3. The role of leadership of the ordained as expected is highlighted. In general, consultative, and supportive pastors result in a positive response of the faithful and the wider community. Church leaders are expected to provide inspirational direction and accompaniment in the various ministries of, e.g., a parish. On the reverse, certain attitudes and personalities of leaders result in discouragement, disillusionment, and disdain. Moreover, despite of these constructive criticism, there is much appreciation for the effort and labor of most of the clergy despite of their personal issues.
4. There seems to be a strong resonance for further consultation for the renewal of the local church communities and ministries. The pre-synodal consultation opens a new horizon and possibility that limitations of the current practice can be improved and renewed in time as pastors and faithful “walked together” and “listen to each other” in dialogue and discernment.
5. Finally, synodality is not just conversation or talk, it needs translation in concrete common endeavors like participation in social activities that promote common good. In this direction, the need to listen to the sign of the times and involvement in the promotion of social harmony and peace. I think, the partaking of the parishes during the recent national and local elections is an example of the fruit of “synodal” journey. PPCRV volunteers who help the voters exemplify that spirit of social service and civil engagement to ensure a peaceful, orderly election.

The whole process of pre-synodal experience is certainly more than what is described here, suffice it to say: it is journey of grace and faith. The pre-synodal journey of the Archdiocese of Davao involves a process of communal consultation and personal discernment. This phenomenon of accompaniment reflects God’s presence in His Spirit to the Church as well as the lively, hopeful faith that draw people to respond with hope and optimism in spite of hurt and misgivings, to a process that can be likened to words of the two disciples at Emmaus when they recognized the Risen Lord in the breaking of the Bread, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road…” (Luke 24:32). (Fr. Kim Lachica, SJ)