At the opening of the first General Congregation of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, Pope Francis stressed the importance of identifying “at the appropriate times” the various forms of “collegial” and “synodal” exercise of the episcopal ministry.
On Wednesday, October 2, during the inauguration of the work of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Holy Father stressed that this Assembly, guided by the Holy Spirit, must contribute to forming a synodal Church in mission. This Church must go out of itself and inhabit the geographical and existential peripheries, establishing ties with everyone in Christ, our Brother and Lord.
After the greeting of the President Delegate, Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, the Pope quoted a text from Saint Macarius of Alexandria to summarize the action of the Holy Spirit since Baptism, which grants us equal dignity. Francis said that the experiences described allow us to recognize what has happened in these three years and what can still happen.
The Holy Spirit, a Sure Guide
Francis reflected on the importance of the Holy Spirit as a sure guide, urging us to learn to distinguish his voice, since he speaks in everyone and in all things. He asked if the synodal process has allowed us to experience this guidance.
The Pope emphasized that the Holy Spirit always accompanies us, being a consolation in sadness and in tears, especially in the face of injustice and the difficulty of forgiving. Despair, he said, is the worst and strongest of the virtues, in contrast to hope, which is humble but strong.
God Always Welcomes Everyone
The Pope emphasized that God always welcomes everyone, offering new possibilities of life until the last moment. He stressed the importance of forgiveness, which comes from the experience of having been forgiven. He referred to the penitential vigil on October 1 in St. Peter’s Basilica, where forgiveness was asked for sins committed, helping to be more humble.
Francis mentioned that humility is a gift of the Holy Spirit, quoting Dante Alighieri’s “The New Life” on humility in solidarity and compassion. This humility is present in those who feel like brothers and sisters to everyone, suffering the same pain and recognizing in each other’s wounds the wounds of our Lord.
An Inclusive Synodal Process
An Inclusive Synodal ProcessThe Pope stressed that the Synodal Assembly manifests in an original way the “journey together” of the People of God. He recalled the inspiration of Saint Paul VI in instituting the Synod of Bishops in 1965. In these sixty years, the Synod has learned to support the journey and mission of the Catholic Church, effectively helping the Bishop of Rome in his service to the communion of all the Churches.
Francis explained that the apostolic constitution “Episcopalis communio” configures the synodal assembly as a process and not just as an event. This synodal process is a learning itinerary for the Church, including the participation of lay people, consecrated persons, deacons and priests, consistent with the understanding of the episcopal ministry of the Second Vatican Council.
An Inclusive and Relational Assembly
The Pontiff emphasized the importance of an inclusive understanding of the episcopal ministry, avoiding abstraction and the breaking of communion between the hierarchy and the lay faithful. It is not a question of substituting one for the other, but of exercising ourselves together in a symphonic art, serving the mercy of God according to the different ministries and charisms.
Francis clarified that the inclusion of non-bishop members does not diminish the episcopal dimension of the Assembly, but rather reflects the way in which it is called to exercise episcopal authority in a relational and synodal Church.
The Holy Spirit: Harmony and Guide
The Pope concluded by announcing the need to identify, at appropriate times, forms of “collegial” and “synodal” exercise of the episcopal ministry, always respecting the deposit of faith and the living Tradition. He recalled that the Holy Spirit is harmony, making possible the perennial fidelity of the Church to the mandate of Jesus Christ and the listening to his word. He invited everyone to be open to the action of the Holy Spirit, our sure guide and consolation.
