“Game Changer” means an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current way of doing or thinking about something or a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way. Game Changers can be persons or events. Pope Francis was called game changer in the Church soon after he became pope through his teaching and reformation at various sectors in the Church. This synodal process that was initiated from October 17 is already setting new trends in the church.
But what is “synodality” and how is it different from our current understanding of the Synod of Bishops, which has met in Rome every few years since the close of the Second Vatican Council? What is it not? This article looks at this synodal process to understand the faces of change that is initiated.
- Walking Together
Since Francis was elected pope, a number of words have entered the Church’s lexicon that–while not new by any means–represent the priorities and focus of his vision for renewal in the Church. Terms such as accompaniment, encounter, clericalism, throwaway culture, field hospital, nearest hospital, smell of the sheep, poor church for the poor, dirty church, wounded church and periphery have become common–not only in the papal vocabulary, but in the everyday discourse of the Church. The Greek terms kerygma (proclamation of the Gospel) and parrhesia (speaking boldly and candidly) have also worked their way into many recent papal statements and Church documents. Synodality is one of these terms, and perhaps one of the most important, because it is essential to comprehending the way Francis sees the Church.
Fr Gilbert Choondal SDB
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