Synod process hears from thousands

Leaders of the Archdiocese of Baltimore have been doing a lot of listening over the last several months as part of the global synod process.

Pope Francis launched the process in October at the Vatican for the World Synod of Bishops, which will take place in 2023. The church sought input from dioceses around the world on the theme, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.”

The committee that is coordinating the synod process in the archdiocese received about 240 reports, with nearly half coming from parishes and the rest from other groups, regional meetings and individuals. For example, one parish had 44 individuals submit input separately, rather than as a group.

As a result, the organizers believe they have heard the thoughts and concerns of thousands of people.

Jenny Kraska, co-chairwoman of the archdiocesan synod committee and executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, said, “The synod process in the archdiocese has been an extensive and thoughtful process. Many common themes and topics have arisen that will help the church at all levels and provide a roadmap for the future.

“It is important for people to know that every report we received was read and the archdiocesan report will be an honest and accurate synthesis of the issues and themes that emerged,” she said.

Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., who co-chaired the group, said the committee is in the process of drafting the 10-page report that will be sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and then to the Vatican.

Although the vast majority of reports came from parishes, a variety of people participated, including groups of religious, seminarians, deacons, priests, staff at the Catholic Center, an ecumenical and interfaith group, universities, high school students and others.

He said the committee started synthesizing the information by aligning the themes in two main categories – where there was a positive experience and where the church is experiencing challenges or difficulties, or where there is a need for change.

As in life in general, “The challenges outweighed the areas of positive experience or where things are going well, where we’re journeying well,” he said. “I don’t think we’re unique in that, as I’ve talked to folks around in different dioceses and actually being at the conference here has helped with that significantly,” Bishop Lewandowski said, speaking via videoconference from San Diego, where the USCCB was holding its spring meeting.

In general, he said, the synod showed that people are happy with their pastor, parish life, liturgy, the life of prayer and the community. 

“A lot of people feel that in their parishes, there’s good communication. They feel that their parishes, even in COVID and post-COVID, are moving in a good direction. They feel a sense of collaboration and support in ministry,” the bishop said.

People were also supportive and positive in their view of Archbishop William E. Lori and his ministry.

“You can imagine, also, where there would be challenges, some of which include that the church isn’t experienced as being welcoming, especially if people are remarried or divorced, the LGBTQ+ community, youths and young adults, and how the church collaborates with others. “Clericalism seems to be, in many circles, alive and well,” he added.

Every theme and sub-theme heard in the process will be included in some way in the report, although the information will be weighted so that those issues that had more emphasis or energy will be more prominent than those that had fewer mentions or conversations, Bishop Lewandowski said.

In an interview in advance of his 10th anniversary as archbishop of Baltimore, Archbishop Lori said that some common themes emerged in the synod process.

“Obviously, we’ve gone through an unsettled time in the life of the church. We’ve heard about the COVID pandemic and the restrictions and the challenges that COVID has presented to our parishes and to our families.

“We have certainly heard about people’s concern about having adequate pastoral leadership for the future,” he said. 

Among the variety of things that came through for him were concerns about racism, welcoming young people into the faith, the need for more family support, administration and the need for more clarity in teaching.

“I think this is extremely valuable. It’s not a 30,000-foot view of the archdiocese. That’s too high up. It’s not quite treetop. But it’s just above the treetops and it enables me and my coworkers to have a kind of a good sense of what’s going on. We think we know, but I think the synodal process is good,” the archbishop said.

Bishop Lewandowski said one of the important takeaways has been to learn to listen and understand, noting that part of the synod process was to learn synodality – journeying together. “This was an exercise in that and as important as the information we received in the feedback is,” he said, “that goal to learn synodality – the twin goal in this – is: What did we hear and what do we want to say to the broader church, and especially to our Holy Father who’s waiting to hear from us?”

The question becomes what the archdiocese does with what was heard and how that can improve, enrich and vivify ministry in Baltimore, he added 

The committee expects to circulate its draft report for comment to consultative groups in the archdiocese such as the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and the Presbyteral Council. “We can’t send a draft to everybody, right? It will be circulated through a number of representative groups who will give us their feedback and some constructive criticism for the document,” Bishop Lewandowski said.

The report will include an opening letter from Archbishop Lori and an explanation of the process of engagement with various constituencies. 

The next section will include the themes and sub-themes of what was heard. Bishop Lewandowski said he knows there are concerns by some that the committee will edit out difficult or hot-button issues. “We’re not going to do that. We’re including everything, and to give that some texture and flavor, we want to include some quotes – anonymously, of course – from some of the synod feedback,” he said. Concerns about the church’s response to the LGBTQ+ community and women’s role in the church and ministry will be included. 

The next part would cover some statements about what the archdiocese intends to do locally with the information it gathered.

The hope is to finalize the report by the end of July, when it will be submitted to the USCCB and published on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s website.

“The archbishop has said clearly this will have value for the archdiocese. … and it will be important for pastors, pastoral staff, parish councils and parishioners to look at the final report,” Bishop Lewandowski said. “Overall, I feel very happy. I’m thrilled with our participation in this synod.”

Email Christopher Gunty at editor@CatholicReview.org

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