Holy Spirit and Hierarchy confront Democracy and Synodality along Synodal Path

 Zulehner: Synodal process needs rules of procedure

Viennese pastoral theologian at the conclusion of the first phase in the dialogue on reform of the world church: Synodality is a mere fig leaf for clericalism if only Bishops and Pope are empowered to "discern" - Church should "re-learn" democracy

The Viennese pastoral theologian, Paul M. Zulehner expressed positive surprise about the "synodal process" so far. It testifies to a "certain realism" that after the first phase of preparation for the 2023 Synod of Bishops, a "wandering back and forth of what is heard in the spiritual Space between different levels" - specifically the Bishops' Conferences, the Councils of the Continental Bishops' Conferences and the Synod - is envisaged. "Are we seeing the emergence of rules of procedure without which synodality will ultimately be a fig leaf for a lively clericalism, which admittedly has a different name, namely 'discernment', and this ultimately solely through Bishops and the Pope?" is the hope of the Viennese expert.

Zulehner commented on his blog (https://zulehner.wordpress.com) on the press conference at which Cardinals Mario Grech and Jean-Claude Hollerich as well as the Vatican Synod Under-Secretary, Sister Nathalie Becquart (Cathcon: some background on Sister Nathalie which rather indicates that outcomes have already been decided. Father Zulehner also has much previous form on ecclesiastical matters, not least in his loud denunciation of the Correctio Filialis), among others, spoke at the end of the "first stage of listening" in the Synodal Process. According to the theologian's observation, some "undertones of criticism" of the ideas of the German reform project "Synodal Path" were voiced at the podium. Cardinal Grech, for example, had again pointed out that the Holy Spirit must have the say in the process, that it was a matter of "listening to what God expects of His Church today" and that it was important to listen to everyone "because the Spirit is given to all".

The reference to the Holy Spirit also provided a "counterpoint" to the lack of appreciation for democracy that, according to Zulehner, often comes through from Rome, which is currently threatened worldwide. There was often concern that the Synodal process could "degenerate into democratic wrangling". At the press conference, however, Cardinal Grech had referred to the great treasure of synodality of religious orders. "It is known, however, that democracy owes much to these highly participatory structures in religious orders - for example, the Dominicans. Perhaps the Church deformed by clericalism and authoritarianism could learn a few things back today," Zulehner said confidently.

The Viennese theologian raised a question in his blog, especially about the "discernment of spirits" also demanded by the Vatican, the mention of which, he said, always "leaves a certain ambiguity in the room": "Do all baptised people have this spiritual gift? Or is this spiritual gift clericalised again because only the ordained have it?", said the sociologist of religion and former Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Vienna.

In any case, the mood at the press conference was good and there was even talk of "enthusiasm". According to Zulehner, the fact that no content had been presented two days after the closing date was to be expected. Apparently, the Vatican had set the deadline "so early in order not to cloud the euphoria with content-related disputes", he suspects.

Over a period of two years, the Catholic Church is currently very closely examining the question of how it will make her decisions and what forms of co-determination there should be in the process. In October 2023, there will be a World Synod of Bishops in Rome for this purpose, entitled "A Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission". The first of the planned three phases took place at the Diocesan level and has just been completed. Further consultation levels are continental and world Church levels, following the production of a first working document. The final draft of the Austria synthesis of the consultations was sent to the responsible Synod General Secretariat in the Vatican in August and is to be published in mid-September.

Source