Overseas dispatches

When I compose a column, I pick a theme and develop it. This column is different. It’s more like a few “overseas dispatches.” Not inappropriate, I hope. After all, I am spending October overseas.

It was mostly spent in Rome, where I stayed at the Pontifical North American College. Here seminarians from the United States are formed for the priesthood while studying at one of Rome’s prestigious Catholic universities. The rector, Monsignor Thomas Powers, is a priest of my former diocese, Bridgeport, Conn., and he’s an excellent leader.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore currently has four seminarians here. One Sunday, the five of us enjoyed pranzo (extended lunch) and afterward watched a game of ultimate frisbee. One of our number, John Anderson, was in the tournament. Heroic when you think of it. He had just finished a large lunch.

Knowing our 58 seminarians – at St. John Paul II Seminary, Washington; St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park; Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmits­burg; and the NAC – I am confident that God is providing the archdiocese with the shepherds we’ll need as we head into the future.

The bulk of my time this month was spent at the 16th World Synod of Bishops. But it wasn’t just bishops. It was a gathering of bishops, religious women and men, and laity from across the globe. The subject of our gathering is “How to be a Synodal Church on Mission.” That might be confusing, so let me unpack it.

We discussed how to be a Church where all its members journey together in friendship, discipleship and mutual respect, united in the mission given us by Christ to teach, evangelize and build up the Body of Christ.

The synod isn’t just about changing things in the Church. I believe Pope Francis is calling for culture change within the Church so that the Church herself can be a more credible witness to the Gospel. In an age of polarization, talking points, slogans, disrespect – well, you get the idea – life within the Church should be different.

We begin by listening to the Holy Spirit, who opens our hearts to Christ and to the Gospel. With his word resonating in our hearts, we in turn listen more readily to one another in the Church and beyond, especially those who are marginalized or who feel excluded. As we grow in holiness and discipleship, listening and working together become easier because our eyes are fixed on Christ, our ears open to his Word, and our heart is open to others.

Participating in prayerful discussions with people from all over the world, I experienced many different perspectives and cultural expressions coupled with a common love for Christ, for the faith and for the Church. It was a month of sharing, not only challenges and best practices, but also sharing our faith and ourselves with one another.

It was also an experience of synodality, the fruits of which I hope to bring home with me.

During a weekend when the Synod delegates had extra free time, I went to Ukraine for a second time to visit the Knights of Columbus who are doing heroic humanitarian work there. I flew into Krakow, Poland, crossed the border into Ukraine, and proceeded to Kyiv. After that, we visited Lviv. Along the way I encountered refugees, widows and orphans. I joined my fellow Knights in presenting warm winter coats to kids. I listened to the experiences of Knights of Columbus chaplains from across Ukraine. As the November issue of the Catholic Review went to press, I just returned to Rome for the conclusion of the synod.

All in all, it’s been a great month. But to quote Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz”: “There’s no place like home!”

Listen to a Catholic Review Radio interview with Archbishop Lori
about the Synod on Synodality at CatholicReview.org/cr-radio below:

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Be at rest in God alone  

Son of St. Alphonsus

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