THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY (2021-2024) AS AN INSTITUTION HISTORICAL-THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND QUESTIONS

 

Photo  by Vatican Media

Faggioli, Massimo, 

April 2024

Teología 61(143):77-96.

Abstract The pontificate of pope Francis has brought about a new momentum, an acceleration of the dynamics of the ecclesial conversation, and the Synod on synodality (2021-2024) is the culmination of this acceleration. At the same time, it is not clear yet whether Francis wants to bring this movement to a conclusion or if it will remain open in a process. This article gives some historical-institutional perspectives that are important for comprehending the contours of this question central to Francis’ pontificate but also for the Catholic Church in the 21st century.

Key words: Synod; Vatican II; Synodality; Collegiality; Conciliarity El Sínodo sobre la sinodalidad (2021-2024) como institución Perspectivas e interrogantes histórico-teológicos

Resumen El pontificado del Papa Francisco ha dado un nuevo impulso, una aceleración de la dinámica de la conversación eclesial, y el Sínodo sobre la sinodalidad (2021- 2024) es la culminación de esta aceleración. Al mismo tiempo, aún no está claro si Francisco quiere llevar este movimiento a una conclusión o si permanecerá abierto en un proceso. Este artículo ofrece algunas perspectivas histórico-institucionales que son importantes para comprender los contornos de esta cuestión central para el pontificado de Francisco, pero también para la Iglesia católica en el siglo XXI. 

Palabras clave: Sínodo; Vaticano II; Sinodalidad; Colegialidad; Conciliaridad 

For many in the Catholic Church, synodality may sound like a new word, a neologism, or an abstract concept. But synodality is, rather, a long-forgotten way for the Church to gather, listen, and make decisions in the service of the Gospel mission. It is a moment of ressourcement of the tradition of the Church, a reconnection with an important part of its forgotten past. But the present form of the “Synod on synodality” (2021-2024) and the two assemblies of the Synod (October 2023 and October 2024) are, from the point of view of the history of Church institutions, a creative experiment. It is therefore important to reflect on the Synod from an institutional point of view in order to grasp its novelties and challenges and open questions for the future of synodality. Here I will analyze the Synod beginning from three frameworks: the Synod on synodality as an institution, the history of the Bishops’ Synods since 1965, and Vatican II.

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The Synod on Synodality (2021-2024) as an Institution Historical-Theological Perspectives and Questions