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Synod Viewed as the ‘Biggest Consultation Exercise In Human History’

By Inés San Martín

ROME (Crux) — Though probably unbeknownst to most Catholics around the world, on Saturday Pope Francis officially opened a two-year global consultation process, all part of a Synod of Bishops on Synodality, which participants hope will help radically change the way the Catholic Church takes decisions.

“My expectation is that a new way of doing things, which will allow us to see synodality being lived at every level of the Church, is now underway,” Spaniard Carmen Peña Garcia, a synod participant, told Crux.

“The synod should not be reduced to this moment, these two years, because synodality is a call for co-responsibility and co-participation of the entire people of God in the life and mission of the Church, with baptism being the entry card,” she said.

During the next year, a consultation will be launched at a parish level, with the faithful being invited to join in dialogue sessions. In March, there will be time for a diocesan and national gathering, followed by a continental one, with the process, in principle, concluding in October 2023, with a general assembly of the Synod of Bishops, set to take place in Rome in October.

On Saturday, the people on hand were mostly laity, priests, and religious, with some countries not even having bishops in the Synod Hall. This was so because the Vatican’s Synod office had requested continents to send representatives, not each country individually, among other reasons due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel.

Some participants had to embark on a months-long process to get a green light from their governments to fly to Rome, as was the case of laywoman Susan Pascoe from Australia. All of the bishops from Down Under are currently taking part in a national-level Plenary Council, the first session of which is being held this week, so none came. Upon her return home, Pascoe will have to isolate in a hotel for two weeks.

A member of the synod’s Commission on Methodology who has worked both for the Australian Church and the Australian government, she told Crux she values “the authenticity of the process. I see hope in this process, and I trust in it. So, I hope other Catholics will answer the invitation issued by the pope for them to participate.”

An invitation for all the baptized to take part, Peña Garcia said, has been issued, but it not only applies to them, because “the Church wants to be in dialogue with the world too. I think we have to encourage people to take part so that you don’t only get the voices of the usual suspects, but well, there’s also the matter of free will!”

Addressing those who are doubtful of the process, because they fear it might end up with everything the Church teaches up for grabs, Peña Garcia urged people to “not be afraid.”

“We have to listen, but the principles and the deposit of faith are not changing,” she said.

Another member of the synod’s theological commission, layman Rafael Luciani, a Venezuelan who is a professor at Boston College, argued that in the current context, the synod has two key components: It’s been called during a situation of crisis and necessary reform, and it’s not a synod about any one topic but about the Church itself.

“Synodality is the essence and identity of the Church, it’s the constitutive dimension that defines the being and operating of the Church,” he told Crux. “A reconfiguration of the Church is at stake here, when it comes to how we relate to one another as ecclesial beings, the communicational dynamics such as dialogue, listening and discernment, and the way Church structures have to respond to accountability in a context that is ever more demanding.”

Agatha Lydia Natania, from Indonesia and a member of the synod’s youth council, said that oftentimes the voice of young people is not heard in the Church or undermined.

“I really hope that young people won’t only be heard, but actually be made part of the process,” she told journalists on Saturday, at the end of the opening session. “We have this energy, and also a creativity, when it comes to bringing people together. Too many young people are leaving the Church because they feel the institution is not listening to them.”

The synod, she said, is an important tool to channel young people’s will to voice their thoughts, particularly at the local level.

British author Austen Ivereigh, papal biographer and one of the laypeople who took part in the first session of the synod, said there’s a “huge gap” between the enormity of the task ahead and “our readiness for it as a Church.” He’s convinced that this could be the “biggest and most transformational event of my lifetime, at least since Vatican II. It may be the biggest consultation exercise in human history. Yet I think few Catholics are even aware of it yet, and bishops are mostly lying low.”

The fact that most still don’t know about it, Ivereigh told Crux, is to be expected, because the Church today is not synodal and there’s very little experience of what the process entails outside of religious orders.

“I think it will be a slow start, with a lot of uncertainty and mistaken expectations,” he said. “But I think the People of God will start to become aware of it, the Holy Spirit will get in there, and it will suddenly take off.”

 

Pope Francis on World Mental Health Day: Remember Young Victims of Suicide

Pope Francis prayed the Angelus before one of the largest crowd of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square since the start of the pandemic.

The Pope recalled that it was World Mental Health Day, and prayed especially for the victims of suicide.

“Today, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, I would like, to remember our brothers and sisters affected by mental disorders and also the victims, often young, of suicide. Let us pray for them and for their families, so that they are not left alone or discriminated against, but welcomed and supported,” said the Pope.

Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel story of the rich man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, which he says misses the true aim of the faith.

“Dear brothers and sisters, a faith without giving, a faith without giving freely is an incomplete faith, a weak faith. We can compare it to a rich and nourishing food that nonetheless lacks flavor, or to a well-played match, but without a goal: it’s no good, it’s missing the ‘salt,’” said the Holy Father.

He also announced the proclamation of two new Blesseds: a sixteenth-century mother from
Naples, María Lorenza Longo, who founded a hospital for the terminally ill, as well as the founder of the Oblates of the Sacred Heart, Father Francesco Mottola, from southern Italy.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 10/8/21

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Bishop-Designate Robert Brennan got a big “welcome back” from the diocese in New York where he was raised.

A federal judge in Texas is blocking the state’s new six-week abortion ban.

More than 300,000 people took to the streets of Mexico City for a pro-life rally.

Currents News Update for Thursday, 10/7/21

A federal judge in Texas is blocking the state’s new six-week abortion ban.

Bishop DiMarzio joins students in prayer before a relic of the first possible millennial saint.

Pfizer asks the FDA for vaccine approval for kids under 12.

Sacred Heart Students Venerate Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pray for Life at Rosary Rally

By Jessica Easthope

Praying for life and that young people are inspired to create change: that’s the mission of a rosary rally for Blessed Carlo Acutis that began Thursday, Oct. 7, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside, Queens.

“This is one of the evils of our society,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. “That we’re snuffing out life before it even sees the light of day and that’s why we pray that young people especially who are looking for a better way of life will see the way of the Church is the best way.”

Right now, across the country, the fight for life is ongoing. Especially with the recent setback to the Heartbeat Law in Texas, officials in the Diocese of Brooklyn are looking to Blessed Carlo to show students they can make a difference.

“His devotion to life comes through his devotion to the body and blood of Christ,” said Father Joseph Gibino, Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis. “He is an example of what happens when we revive our devotion to the Eucharist because then we grow in respect for all of God’s creation and all life everywhere.”

Carlo Acutis died as a teenager of leukemia, but in his short life he was dedicated to the Eucharist, creating a website compiling all of the Eucharistic miracles. A first-class relic, a few pieces of Acutis’ hair arrived in the Diocese of Brooklyn this summer. Monsignor Thomas Machalski requested the relic, he says one of his favorite quotes of Blessed Carlo “all people are born as originals but many die as photocopies” shows us all we should respect God’s plan for life.

“That was basically saying to people, remember you’re created as a unique individual in the image and likeness of God,” Msgr. Machalski said. “God has a purpose for you, fulfill that purpose.”

Students had the chance to venerate the relic after saying the rosary, hoping it will allow them to see clearly that they too can fight for life the way Carlo did and maybe even become a saint.

You too can witness the holiness of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The relic of the first possible millennial saint will be traveling from school to school in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

We’ll let you know where it’ll head next, right here on Currents News, or online at currentsny.tv.

Stay tuned!

Federal Judge’s Order Temporarily Blocks Texas’ Abortion Ban

Currents News Staff

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman allows abortions after the detection of a baby’s cardiac activity. That typically starts around six weeks — before most women know they’re pregnant. It suspends the Texas law which took effect in September. That law also forbids exceptions in the case of rape or incest.

A group of Texas abortion clinics says the procedures will resume for now, but the State Attorney General’s office says it will appeal — and it’s likely to win in higher courts.

Both the region’s appellate court and the U.S. Supreme Court have allowed the law to stand previously. Over the weekend, thousands of pro-life advocates rallied outside the Supreme Court in counter to a pro-abortion rally in our nation’s capital.

“There’s always someone that gets hurt,” said Students For Life of America member Elizabeth Nogueras. “It ends a life.”

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood in Colorado is reporting a 520 percent increase in Texas residents crossing state lines seeking its services. But Nissa Lapointe of Catholic Charities Denver says services for women is exactly what they offer.

“No matter where you’re at, where you’re coming from, what the law might be, Catholic Charities is here to help women,” Nissa said.

Currents News Update for Wednesday, 10/6/21

A friend, a brother and a real mentor – that’s how New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan describes Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Part two of our in-depth interview with Cardinal Dolan.

Pope Francis is addressing the issue of sexual abuse, following that decades-long report of more than 200 thousand underage victims in the French church.

If you visit the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, you’ll want to bring binoculars. That’s how high up the ceiling displaying Michelangelo’s legendary artwork is. But for a limited time, you can get an up-close look at stunning replicas right here in New York City.

Sistine Chapel Exhibit Returns to New York City

By Jessica Easthope

Among the hustle and bustle of gritty Manhattan – a spiritual experience awaits. The Vatican is right outside your front door in a Sistine Chapel exhibit returning to New York City.

“Think of it like you’re walking 10 feet under the ceiling,” said Martin Biallas the CEO of SEE Global Entertainment and creator of the exhibit. “You’re seeing these from a perspective not even a pope has seen.”

The exhibit, which features all 34 of Michelangelo’s frescoes from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, was created by Martin Biallas in 2015. Since then, the full-size photographic reproductions have toured the world attracting people who want to experience God, art and history through the iconic imagery.

“We want to present this for people of all different faiths because it’s a monumental art masterpiece,” Biallas said.

The exhibit has been designed to leave all the good of the Vatican experience without the rush or the crowds, and get this – you can take all the pictures and videos you like. The space is even open for weddings.

“You’re going to leave so relaxed and so inspired,” said Biallas. 

While walking around the exhibit, visitors are encouraged to use an audio guide to learn about the frescoes. The handheld, electronic device signals to a blurb about each fresco: just wait for the beep and listen.

“For the people who really want to have this as a spiritual experience, this is the way to go because you get all the information on the audio guide,” Biallas said.

Biallas says the exhibit has already helped evangelization by drawing in a young crowd to timeless art – so close you could touch it.

You too can step into the Sistine Chapel like never before. Just head on over to chapelsistine.com and click on “the city near you.” New York’s exhibit ends Jan. 2, 2022.

Cardinal Dolan on Bishop-Designate Brennan: ‘I Think We’ve Got a Pro’

Currents News Staff

Migration, DACA and pro-life issues are just some of the topics Bishop-Designate Robert Brennan will be tackling as the new leader of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Ahead of the new bishop’s installation, Currents News sat down with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about Brooklyn’s new shepherd, the eighth bishop of Brooklyn. Bishop-Designate Brennan has been described as the ‘perfect choice’ to succeed Bishop DiMarzio.