Several US dioceses have begun the synodal process inaugurated by Pope Francis earlier this month, although with differing emphases and vigour depending on the diocese.
In New York City, Cardinal Timothy Dolan led a special Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral at which he gathered clerical and lay leaders from across the archdiocese. “And just what is this synodality of which Pope Francis so often speaks?” Dolan asked in his homily.
“I don’t know if I completely understand it; and the Holy Father is honest in admitting that neither does he have the full comprehension, which is precisely why he has summoned us to this endeavour. He wants us to join him in praying, listening, discerning, examining ourselves personally, and the Church communally, to see if we’re truly on the path Jesus has set for His beloved bride, His mystical body, the Church.”
In a broadcast interview at NCR Live, St Joseph S Katie Eiffe, director of synodal planning for the diocese of Syracuse, New York, explained that Bishop Douglas Lucia had committed to a series of listening sessions with Catholics, including lapsed Catholics, throughout his largely rural diocese. She explained that the diocese lies in the “snow belt” and they were all praying for a mild winter.
On the same show, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego discussed the two synods he had already held in his diocese. “When we were dealing with the question of Footnote 8 of Amoris Laetitia, on the divorced and remarried question, a question came up about conscience,” he said. “We had theologians as part of our process and one of the theologians talked about the Catholic teaching on conscience, and it was like a revelation to people.” Although the synod delegates tended to be the most active Catholics, they were unclear about the teaching on conscience. McElroy added that the conversation about conscience did not contribute to specific decision-making, “but it was a wonderful moment of being open to what Catholic teaching is, and sharing it on an evocative and affective level.”
In Boston, the archdiocese is starting with a survey. “This survey is, in large part, to provide some beginning thoughts for [Cardinal Sean O’Malley] in how to address this,” said Father Paul Soper, Secretary for Evangelization and Discipleship. “But it's only a beginning.”
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