Major absentees
Why is it that pastors have so far been little involved in the synodal process? Coenegrachts: ‘I would certainly not tar all parish priests with the same brush in that regard. Some have already started working on it and are trying to promote conversation in their community, with a view to inclusion and participation of everyone. Some may expect a signal from their bishop or coordination from above.”
But it is also true that there is some nervousness. If all believers are equal on the basis of their baptism, with or without ordination, what is the individuality of a priest or pastor? An important question that invites us to rediscover the essence of the priesthood.
3 suggestions from Pope Francis
In a message to participants said Pope Francis: “Pastors know the lives of God’s People inside out, with their joys, hardships, resources, and needs. That is why a synodal Church needs them.’ Without priests, the Church will never learn how to walk together and take the path of synodality, the Pope added.
If parishes are not synodal and missionary, the Church will not be either. Pope Francis
Pope Francis made three suggestions to the assembled parish priests.
- Experience your specific charisma ever greater service to the varied gifts that the Spirit sows in the People of God. ‘It’s urgent necessary to discover the many gifts of lay people. This will reveal many hidden treasures and make you feel less alone in the demanding task of evangelism […] Then you will experience the joy of being real fathers, who do not dominate others, but rather bring out in them, both men and women, great and valuable potential.’
- Learn the art of it common discernment and for this use the method of conversation in the Spirit.
- Do everything in one spirit of sharing and brotherhood among each other, with believers and with your bishop. ‘We cannot be authentic fathers if we are not first sons and brothers, nor promote community and participation if we do not live them ourselves.’
The synodal process needs your voice, the Pope emphasized. He called on them to be “missionaries of synodality” and to spread the spirit at the Congress and when they return home to their parishes.
Start with brotherhood
The desire to spread that spirit is now even stronger for Bart Coenegrachts. He certainly brings a lot of ideas with him from Rome. Together with Benoît Lobet, he is now first writing an account of their experiences. ‘Then we will see how we are going to spread that.’
What is paramount for him is experiencing fraternity at all levels in the Church.
“Fraternity can be the answer to clericalism and will promote the appreciation of every voice, small and large, in a natural and enthusiastic way.”
