The Synodalist Elite in France- the 10 online delegates to the European Synodal Continental Assembly
Synod on Synodality: "Our common voice will necessarily be diverse or it will not be heard"
Nearly 600 European Catholics participated in the continental phase of the Synod on Synodality from 5 to 9 February 2023 in Prague. A delegation of 10 French people followed the exchanges by videoconference from Saint-Wandrille Abbey in Normandy. We met them.
The members of the French delegation for the Synod, at Saint-Wandrille Abbey, on 6 February 2023: (from left to right) François Odinet, Sister Albertine [Cathcon: who has some fame as a "Religious Influencer"] , Isabelle Morel, Cécile and Éric Tallon, François Meusnier, Florence Chereil, Dominique Rouyer, Claire Helleux and Hugues de Woillemont. Four other French people were present in Prague, including Éric de Moulin-Beaufort, President of the CEF.
Within the centuries-old walls of Saint-Wandrille Abbey (Seine-Maritime), a delegation of ten French representatives met from Sunday 5 to Thursday 9 February to follow from a distance the exchanges of the continental phase of the Synod on synodality in Prague (Czech Republic). Nearly 600 Catholics from all over Europe were involved, 390 of them by video-conference.
The singing of the birds, the monks' Gregorian chant in the abbey church and the calm of the place contrasted with the density of the issues addressed: clericalism, liturgy, the role of women, the marriage of priests, the place given to the poorest and inclusiveness, in a context of crisis of abuse within the Church and a secularised and multicultural Europe.
Walking together despite differences of opinion
"We are learning to be more Catholic, not in the sense of uniformity but of universality," says François Meusnier, a doctor and synodal referent for the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, who is marked by the diversity of realities experienced from one country to another. Some Catholic churches in former communist countries are almost new or are in the minority compared to other denominations," he says. As we become aware of what each one is experiencing, we learn to be very modest and careful in the way we listen. Despite the differences in viewpoints, the delegations from each country are learning to "walk together". "The Eastern European countries are more traditionalist than we are on many subjects, but we spend a lot of time listening to each other, and everyone is making progress, which is an opening," remarks Eric Tallon, deacon and synodal referent for the diocese of Limoges with his wife Cécile.
On the German side too, according to the French group, the more progressive positions seek to align themselves with the others and the exchanges are calmer. "Russians and Ukrainians were able to sit at the same table. These moments are a source of great joy," marvels Claire Halleux, farmer and synodal referent for the diocese of Soissons. Isabelle Morel, a theologian from the diocese of Besançon, and Florence Chereil, an educator with L'Arche, who encouraged the participation of people with disabilities in the national synod, are also part of the French delegation gathered in Saint-Wandrille. They were all chosen for the diversity of their profiles and their states of life, and their commitment to the diocesan and national phase of the synod.
"Enlarge the space of your tent"
Unlike most of the remote participants who are connected individually, the French participants chose to spend the week together, at the invitation of the French Bishops' Conference (CEF) and Hugues de Woillemont, priest, secretary general of the CEF, who is also a member of the group. They are also in close contact with the four other French delegates sent to Prague whom they call daily: Anne Ferrand, a consecrated laywoman from the diocese of Rodez, Lucie Lafleur, a member of the national synod team, Alexandre Joly, bishop of Troyes and head of the national synod team, and Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, President of the CEF. Within the small group, the atmosphere is joyful and fraternal. "The experience is sufficiently "moving" for us to live it simply, without taking too much on board," smiles Cécile Tallon, a glass of Norman apple juice in her hand.
Each day begins with working groups of delegates from several countries speaking the same language, to reflect on the three questions posed by the working document for the continental stage (DEC): What insights are emerging in your continent at this stage of the synod? What issues or tensions should be considered? What priorities or calls to action should be put forward? This 50-page document was developed from the national contributions sent to Rome up to the summer of 2022 and was shared with all participants in the continental assemblies. The verse from Isaiah which it is entitled: "Enlarge the space of your tent" (Isaiah 54:2), sets the tone for this continental phase of the synod. "The objective is to allow the Church to associate all the baptised with its mission of evangelisation, so that each one finds his or her place in the tent in order to go out into the world with joy," explains Eric Tallon.
"The awareness of being a wounded body"
The work of each group was then shared during the day with the whole synodal assembly, highlighting recurring themes. The openness of the Church to the peripheries, through the place it gives to the poorest and the marginalised such as homosexuals, the place of women and the celibacy of priests, are repeatedly mentioned as necessary priorities of the synodal work by the rapporteurs of each group. Their interventions were punctuated by times of prayer or musical meditation proposed by the participating countries. Individuals and communities who so request may also speak individually, following the example of the Sant'Egidio community or Charis International (International Service of Charismatic Renewal).
The French group spoke on 6 February about the abuse crisis, the welcome of all within the Church in a just articulation between mercy and truth, the concerns raised by liturgical quarrels, the role of priests and laypeople, listening to the cry of the poor and of the earth, the importance of formation and knowledge of the Word of God. "The awareness of being a wounded body is a theme that is heard more and more," commented François Odinet, a priest from the Diocese of Le Havre and theologian at the Centre Sèvres, during the lunch that followed this third morning of work. The place of women in the Church, misunderstood by many young people, was also mentioned on many occasions. "It is a sign of the inclusiveness or otherwise of the Church," said Sister Albertine, who was invited to join the French delegation to make the voice of young people heard at the synod.
A text and a common declaration
The concrete follow-up to this Synodal experience is also at the heart of the questions. "Between fear and the urgency of change, the differences are profound. We must refocus on what unites us all, which is not the lowest common denominator, since it is Christ, and from there dare to be different. Our common voice will necessarily be plural or it will not be heard," stresses Dominique Rouyer, secretary general of CCFD-Terre solidaire and member of the motivating team of the Promises of the Church collective.
A text drafted from the participants' reflections was proposed to all on Thursday 9 February, in preparation for the final document to be submitted to Rome by the presidents of the European bishops' conferences. A possible joint statement on the crisis of abuse in the Church was also discussed. While many participants would like to see concrete decisions and progress following the synod, the French group is not fooled: "More than an effective method, the synod is a long-term experience. Dialogue over time allows the other's point of view to be legitimised, without necessarily adhering to it", François Odinet remarks.
What follow-up to the synodal process?
All of them would like to perpetuate this synodal process within the Church, and are thinking about how to share it. "We are not obliged to wait for decisions to be taken to move forward with reflection at the local level, in our parishes and communities," remarks Dr François Meusnier, who uses the image of a lung "that goes up and down" to evoke this alternation between local and global throughout the synodal process. "The difficulty will be to get all those who have not yet boarded the train on board," stresses Sister Albertine, whose survey launched on Instagram speaks for itself: "72% of respondents do not know what this synod is," deplores the young woman.
Cathcon: From where then does the Synod process derive its legitimacy to be an authority in Catholic life?
See Leader of German lay Catholics admits Synodal Path is rigged.
François Odinet dreams for his part: "I would like to see a similar assembly of people in precarious situations held in parallel with the bishops' assembly in Rome next October. This would be a powerful sign.
Who are these representatives of the Church in France, other than being the chosen ones of the Bishop's Conference?
Sister Albertine
"Consecrated in the Chemin Neuf community. I am 27 years old and come from the Hauts-de-France. I am on mission in a public school whose pastoral care is entrusted to the community. Being in contact with the students of the school on a daily basis has made me aware of the place of social networks and especially of the absence of a Christian voice on these new tools which escape us. Announcing the message of Christ in a simple and accessible way to make it audible to our young contemporaries is a passion that the Lord has put in my heart and that the Holy Spirit leads.
Florence Chéreil
"At the beginning of 2022, I initiated the synodal process in my community and organised meetings in the life homes. It was a challenge because nothing had been thought of for people with mental disabilities. Nevertheless, I felt it was important that their voices be heard, despite their difficulties, sometimes great, in expressing themselves. It was also a beautiful moment of sharing with an evangelical Protestant colleague who joined me in facilitating the synodal meetings.
In June 2022, we were invited to testify before the Plenary Assembly of Bishops and their guests in Lyon. This was a powerful moment in the life of the Church for all of us. The testimony of the people we welcomed seemed to really touch the assembly.
Today, the synodal process continues in my community, notably through times of prayer, sharing the Gospel, participation in a worship group, the visit of Trinitarian sisters to the workshops once a month, etc. This also responds to the strong demand of the people welcomed, expressed during the synodal meetings, to pray and to continue the synod.
Clare Halleux
"I am 62 years old, retired from agriculture, married and a mother. I was called by my Bishop to be the referent for the synod in the diocese of Soissons. At present I am part of the episcopal council paying attention to synodality in the Church of the Aisne.
François Meusnier
"58 years old, I am married, father of a family, and I practice as a digestive surgeon in Toulon. A member of the Ecclesiola movement, I have been serving the Church of Fréjus-Toulon for 25 years and I am now coordinating the referent team for the 2021-2024 Synod. The purpose of this Synod is to highlight an urgent need before any proposal for reform, however necessary: to learn together, as a Church, to make diagnoses, to discern the signs of the times by listening to the Holy Spirit. I expect this assembly in Prague to be a stage of deep listening.
Isabelle Morel
Isabelle Morel, 50, has a doctorate in theology of catechesis and evangelisation, is a professor at the Theologicum of the Catholic Institute of Paris (ICP) and director of the ISPC (Institut Supérieur de Pastorale Catéchétique). She is originally from the diocese of Besançon where she is a member of the episcopal council and responsible for the formation service. Her field of research is the crisis of transmission and synodality as a way of evangelisation for the world of this time.
François Odinet
Born in 1985, priest of the diocese of Le Havre since 2014, parish priest in the northern districts of Le Havre where he is involved with people in great precariousness. He is a lecturer and researcher in theology at the Centre Sèvres (Jesuit Faculties of Paris). His research and publications focus on the spiritual experience and words of the very poor, but also on ecclesiology and synodality.
Dominique Rouyer
She has been the national secretary of CCFD-Terre Solidaire for 4 years and is responsible for the coordination of Promesses d'Eglise as a delegate of CCFD-Terre Solidaire, one of its founding members.
"Married, with 4 children and 9 grandchildren, I am a journalist and retired editor. I also have a master's degree in biblical theology and was a lecturer at the Catholic Institute of Paris.
I was in charge of preparing the contribution to the Synod of Promises of the Church and I am a member of the CCFD-Terre Solidaire Bureau, concerned about a Church that is increasingly Synodal and that fully lives international solidarity in a spirit of fraternity.
Cécile Tallon
"59 years old, living in Feytiat (87), trained as a teacher, married for 35 years, 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Involvement with young people, in teaching, in chaplaincy, in the diocese and in the CEF, alone and with my husband; "Christian life and homosexuality" referents for the diocese of Limoges. Currently a volunteer at the reception desk of the diocesan house in Limoges (87).
Co-responsible in 2019 for 3 years with my husband within the synodal awakening team of the Diocese of Limoges, I entered the process proposed by the Pope with enthusiasm. Motivated to be, with great simplicity, at the service of the Church and passionate about discovering what is happening worldwide, I am impatient to listen to what is going to be said and full of hope to manage to "enlarge the tent" by finding "balance" and "flexibility", and to ensure its "solidity" while being "capable of moving when the tent has to be pitched elsewhere". It's a great challenge and I'm happy to be part of it.
Eric Tallon
"59 years old, living in Feytiat (87), trained as an engineer, married for 35 years, 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Permanent deacon since 2010, at the service of the diocese and the CEF (family ministry, student chaplaincy, synodal awakening), and of Christians in France and in Europe (accompaniment, baptisms, weddings, wedding anniversaries, funerals).
Involvement with young people, in teaching, in chaplaincy, alone and with my wife; "Christian life and homosexuality" expert for the Diocese of Limoges.
Teacher since 2010, in mathematics, mainly in BTS (private high school) and occasionally in L3 (Cnam). Voluntary development of scientific awareness raising workshops in Montessori schools.
My motivations: "To serve the Church, the People of God, in its entirety, taking into account the 95% of baptized "non-practicing". To seek and implement ways of listening, welcoming and accompanying in a synodal way (in fraternity with other Christians under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) the people we meet every day, by getting out of ready-made, sclerotic and sclerosing schemes.
Cathcon: What does he think the Synod process is becoming?
Father Hugues de Woillemont
Father Hugues de Woillemont, priest of the diocese of Nanterre, for the past 3 years General Secretary of the French Bishops' Conference, he is a member of the national team of the Synod 2021-2024.
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