Keys to a synodal Church
under the direction. by Isabelle Morel, Christophe Raimbault and David Sendrez
Salvator, 160 p., €17.00
ABC of synodality
under the direction. by Ludovic Danto, preface by Loup Besmond de Senneville
Cerf, 160 p., 18 €
How can the Church renew its governance to better announce the Gospel today? To this question which underlies the entire synodal process initiated three years ago by Pope Francis, around twenty experts from the Catholic Institute of Paris wanted to make their contribution, each according to their expertise – biblical scholars, theologians, canonists. , historians…
Synodality is not first “a question of ecclesial organization” or “a management technique”but above all “a call to conversion and evangelization”. This is what each of the contributors reminds us in their own way. Which does not prevent them from examining the concrete aspects of ecclesial organization to discern how the Church can reform itself in order to be more of a place where the entire people of God “seek together the will of God”, to find how to proclaim the Gospel in our complex world. Thus, how, in the decision-making bodies of parishes and dioceses, to better listen to the laity and involve them in the consultation, how to better honor their words and their own charisma, how to decentralize the power of the bishop… are all avenues explored in L’ABC of synodality.
A dynamic driven by the Pope
The work Keys to a synodal Church also offers sometimes daring reflections on a broader spectrum of subjects: interreligious dialogue, liturgy, the role of women, the fight against sexual violence… Several avenues raised – such as the opening of preaching to lay people, men and women – are to be the agenda of the second session of the Synod which opened at the beginning of October in Rome. Intended primarily for those who work on synodal issues today (pastoral actors and others), this short book offers multiple keys to better understanding and spreading the dynamic driven in recent years by the Pope.
Two works which bear witness to the vitality of this truly synodal place that is the Catholic university, as recalled by Father Ludovic Danto, who directed theABC of synodality – “place of otherness and freedom” and place which participates in the discernment and teaching of the Church.
