St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), Bishop and Confessor, was called by God to execute a true reform in the Church. The happy conclusion of the Council of Trent is in great part due to his prudence. He was a Cardinal at the age of twenty-three and was given the archbishopric of Milan. He presided over Synods and Councils, established seminaries and congregations, and renewed the spirit of his clergy and the religious orders. He is also the patron of Catechists. Pope Francis has convoked Synod 2021-2023 for greater communion, participation and mission in the Church, something that St. Charles Borromeo did well.
Positive Progress through Synods
Reforms will always be needed within the Church as long as there exists human beings and Catholicism. This is a mark of vitality of the Church—the people of God. The Council of Trent was the turning point of the Counter Reformation. St. Charles Borromeo, accepted the realities of the time, urged the Fathers of the Church – Bishops, to grasp the urgent matters of the age, to seek solutions which strengthened both the Church and her teachings. From a Church which was alert to the dangers of its time, he reformed it and hoped for a positive progress. In Milan, Diocesan Synod followed Diocesan Synod in quick succession. Archbishop, Monsignor Ormaneto reached Milan and at once carried out Charles’ instructions by calling together a Diocesan Synod for the promulgation of the decrees of the Council of Trent. There were 1200 priests at the Synod. The Synod was followed by a visitation of the diocese by Monsignor Ormaneto. St. Charles announced that the reform must begin with the prelates: “We ought to walk in front and our spiritual subjects will follow us.”
Sr. Sheila Corda SCB
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