ECUMENISM IN THE DOCUMENT:FOR A SYNODAL CHURCH: COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION, MISSION

PdF Per una Chiesa sinodale: comunione, partecipazione, missione Documento finale

The final document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, entitled "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission", has a strong ecumenical dimension. Indeed, "one of the most significant fruits of the Synod 2021-2024 has been the intensity of ecumenical zeal (n. 137)." This ecumenical dimension is illustrated by numerous passages devoted to Christian unity, in particular the baptismal dimension of ecumenism and synodality, spiritual ecumenism, the ecumenism of blood, the importance of ecumenical theological dialogue, the exchange of gifts between Christians, the relationship between synodality and primacy, the contribution of fraternal delegates to the synodal assembly and the ecumenical dimension of formation.

The document also makes a number of concrete proposals, such as the inclusion in the liturgical calendar of the memory of saints from other Christian traditions, the continuation of ecumenical reflection based on the document The Bishop of Rome, the celebration of an ecumenical synod on evangelisation, the joint preparation and commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and the launch of initiatives for a common date of Easter.

In its introduction, the document emphasises that "the synodal journey directs us towards a full and visible unity of Christians, as was witnessed by the presence of delegates of other Christian traditions. Unity ferments silently within the holy Church of God; prophetically so, for the entire world (n. 4)."

In Part I, entitled "The Heart of Synodality", the document emphasises the baptismal dimension of ecumenism and synodality. It affirms that "All Christians participate in the sensus fidei through baptism. Therefore, as well as constituting the basis of synodality baptism is also the foundation of ecumenism. The path of synodality, which the Catholic Church is travelling, is and must be ecumenical, just as the ecumenical path is synodal" (Pope Francis, Address to His Holiness Mar Awa III, 19 November 2022)." This baptismal dimension is inseparable from the spiritual dimension: "Ecumenism is first and foremost a matter of spiritual renewal. It demands processes of repentance and the healing of memories of past wounds, and, where necessary, finding the courage to offer fraternal correction in a spirit of evangelical charity." The Assembly "resounded with eye-opening testimonies by Christians of different ecclesial traditions who share friendship, prayer, live together in community, are committed to serving those living in various forms of poverty and who care for our common home." The document points out that "In many regions of the world, there is, above all, the ecumenism of blood: Christians of different backgrounds who together give their lives for faith in Jesus Christ. The witness of their martyrdom is more eloquent than any word: unity comes from the Cross of the Lord (n. 23)."

In the same part, the document reflects on the Catholic Church's ecumenical commitment, emphasising that "the appreciation of contexts, cultures and diversities, and of the relationships between them, is key to growing as a missionary synodal Church and to journeying, prompted by the Holy Spirit, towards the visible unity of Christians." The Assembly reaffirms "the commitment of the Catholic Church to continue and intensify the ecumenical journey with other Christians, by virtue of our common Baptism and in response to the call to live together the communion and unity among disciples for whom Christ prayed at the Last Supper (cf. Jn 17:20-26)." It welcomes "with joy and gratitude the progress in ecumenical relations of the past sixty years as well as the dialogue documents and declarations expressing the common faith", emphasising that "The participation of the Fraternal Delegates enriched the proceedings of the Assembly, and we look forward to the next steps on the path towards full communion through the incorporation of the fruits of the ecumenical journey into ecclesial practices (n. 40)."

In Part IV, entitled "An Abundant Catch", the document emphasises the importance of the "exchange of gifts" for Christian unity. It states that "The exchange of gifts is of crucial significance in the journey towards full and visible unity among all Churches and Christian communions. Moreover, it represents an effective sign of the unity in the faith and love of Christ that promotes both the credibility and the impact of the Christian mission (cf. Jn 17:21)." The document recalls that "Saint John Paul II applied the following expression to ecumenical dialogue: "Dialogue is not simply an exchange of ideas. In some way it is always an "exchange of gifts’’ (UUS 28)." The Assembly affirms that "Previous and ongoing efforts to incarnate the one Gospel by various Christian traditions within a diversity of cultural contexts, historical circumstances and social challenges – attending to the Word of God and the voice of the Holy Spirit – have generated abundant fruit in holiness, charity, spirituality, theology, social and cultural solidarity." It believes that "The time has come to treasure these precious riches: with generosity, sincerity, without prejudice, with gratitude to the Lord, and with mutual openness, gifting them to one another without assuming they are our exclusive property. The example of the saints and witnesses to the faith from other Christian Churches and Communions is also a gift that we can receive, including by inserting their memorial - especially that of the martyrs - into our liturgical calendar (n. 122)."

The same part, reflecting on the question of primacy, welcomes the publication of the document The Bishop of Rome. Stressing that "The need to find "a form of exercise of the Primacy that [...] opens itself up to a new situation" (UUS 95) is a fundamental challenge both for a missionary synodal Church and for Christian unity”, the Synod “welcomes the recent publication of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity The Bishop of Rome: Primacy and Synodality in Ecumenical Dialogues and in the Responses to the Encyclical Ut Unum Sint, which opens avenues for further study." In fact, the Synod states, "the document shows that the promotion of Christian unity is an essential aspect of the ministry of the Bishop of Rome and that the ecumenical journey has fostered a deeper understanding of it. The concrete proposals it contains regarding a rereading or an official commentary on the dogmatic definitions of the First Vatican Council on primacy, a clearer distinction between the different responsibilities of the Pope, the promotion of synodality within the Church and in its relationship with the world and the search for a model of unity based on an ecclesiology of communion offer promising prospects for the ecumenical journey." The Synodal Assembly "hopes that this document will serve as a basis for further reflection with other Christians, "together, of course", on the exercise of the Ministry of Unity of the Bishop of Rome as a “service of love recognized by all concerned” (UUS 95) (n. 137)."

The next paragraph reflects on the links between synodality and ecumenism. The document states that "The richness of the participation of Fraternal Delegates from other Churches and Christian Communions at the synodal Assembly invites us to pay more attention to the synodal practices of our ecumenical partners, both in the East and in the West. Ecumenical dialogue is fundamental to developing an understanding of synodality and the unity of the Church." This ecumenical dialogue "urges us to develop ecumenical synodal practices, including forms of consultation and discernment on questions of shared and urgent interest, as the celebration of an ecumenical Synod on evangelisation." It also "invites us to mutual accountability for who we are, what we do, and what we teach. What makes this possible is our unity under the one Baptism that offers us the dynamism of communion, participation and mission and which gives life to our identity as the People of God (n. 138)."

The Synodal Assembly recalls that “in 2025, the Year of Jubilee, we will also celebrate the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the First Ecumenical Council at which the symbol of the faith that unites all Christians was formulated”, and stresses that “preparation and joint commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of this event should be an opportunity to deepen and confess together our faith in Christ and to put into practice forms of synodality among Christians of all traditions”. It will also be an opportunity “to launch bold initiatives for a common date for Easter so that we can celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord on the same day, as will happen, providentially, in 2025. This will give greater missionary strength to the proclamation of Him, who is the life and salvation of the whole world” (n. 139).

Finally, in Part V, entitled "So I Send You", devoted to synodal formation, the document emphasises on the one hand that “The ecumenical dimension of formation cannot but facilitate this change in mentality” (n. 147) and on the other hand that “the synodal way of formation implies that the ecumenical dimension is present in all aspects of the paths towards ordained ministries” (n. 148).

On the basis of this document, Synodal Study Group n. 10, co-ordinated by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the General Secretariat of the Synod, has been asked to reflect on ‘the reception of the fruits of the ecumenical journey in ecclesial practices’ (n. 8).

 Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity

_{Photo: Pope Francis with all the Synod participants at the conclusion of the work of the General Assembly © Vatican Media}