The synod process in Ireland was “somewhat rushed” and the time limitation given by those overseeing it was “insufficient”, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Phonsie Cullinan, has said.
Writing on the Waterford and Lismore diocesan website about the synthesis submitted by the Irish Church and the synodal process, Bishop Cullinan described it as “a snap-shot” of where those who attended the parish conversation and listening sessions were at.
He said: “The synthesis is helpful in that it shows the serious fault-lines of the Irish Church at the moment” and suggested “there is nothing new in it”. Most people, he said, will not know about the synthesis and “most will not read it”.
However, the Opus Dei-linked bishop said the gaps in what emerged as recorded in the synthesis were “quite staggering”.
On the rushed nature of the process, he criticised the fact that synodal process was formally launched by Pope Francis in October 2021 and in dioceses across the world the following weekend while the Covid pandemic was “still causing havoc and proving to be a serious block to any proper parish interactions”.
Each diocese had to make a written submission by the end of May this year.
Parish listening sessions were completed “with little time to ensure deep reflection, have meaningful conversations and prayerful consideration of the questions posed”, Bishop Cullinan said.
Of the national gathering in Athlone, he said very little had been heard at it on mission and the missionary outreach of the Church. “There was far too much introspection. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit was in the synodal process, but maybe more in the gaps than in the utterances. I believe that we need to observe where the Church is flourishing in Ireland, where people, especially the youth, are being formed in character and in the faith.”
He hit out at those who “continually pump out their negativity, disappointment and desperation but have little else to offer. They have no growth.”
Separately, Fr Gerry O’Hanlon SJ, writing in America magazine, said that while the focus of the initial consultation was mainly on intra-church issues, this was understandable given that “this is the first time for so long that open speech (parrhesia) had been encouraged within a church where many discontents have been building up for so long”.
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