Modernist theologians want to be deeply embedded in Synodality

Expert Polak: Theology should be an actor in the synodal process

Viennese pastoral theologian stresses after conference on theology and synodality in Rome: "Theology is not an observer and judge, but an active player who contributes to the Church identifying its mission in the 21st century" - In discussions on Church reform, also look to other parts of the world and "broaden the horizons"

In the worldwide synodal process of the Catholic Church, theology should not only be an observer but also an actor: This was pointed out by the Viennese pastoral theologian, Regina Polak in an interview with the news agency Kathpress (Friday). The goal of the World Synod initiated by the Pope is a change in mentality and culture and the search for the mission of the Church in the 21st century by listening to the Holy Spirit. Accordingly, theology is also a service to the synodal process - as a science that does not operate in the proverbial ivory tower, but rather can make a decisive intellectual contribution to the Synodal process, she said.

Where one already works synodally, does interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and is also involved in ecclesiastical and social issues, one is on the right path in the sense of the apostolic constitution "Veritatis Gaudium", said Polak. Like all Catholics, theology must also undergo a change or a change of attitude in the Synodal process. "The key point is: theology is not the observer and not the judge, but an actively involved actor who helps the Church identify its mission in the 21st century." Theology - this was one of Pope Francis' concerns - should be "quasi-embedded in the Church community and in society" and also perceive voices of the faithful on internal Church issues and society, Polak said. "It often is anyway: but theology could become even more of a listener."

Polak, who teaches at the University of Vienna and is also a member of the Church in Austria's "national synod team", made her remarks in the aftermath of a three-day international conference in Rome entitled "Theology in the Challenge of Synodality". Theologians from several continents discussed criteria for the tasks of theology for a more synodal Church in lectures and thesis papers at the Pontifical Gregorian University last week. Polak reported that the international perspective at the conference had once again made it very clear how different the challenges in connection with the Church and synodality are in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia.

Among the numerous speakers at the top-class congress were the French Jesuit theologian Christoph Theobald, the Erfurt canon lawyer Myriam Wijlens, the Münster theologian Michael Seewald, the theologian, Renato Repole from the Philippines, the Osnabrück fundamental theologian, Margit Eckholt and the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Curia Cardinal Mario Grech. In a lecture at the conference, Polak herself used the example of migration research to show where theology in German-speaking countries is already working synodically.

Synodal Church needs a change of mentality

In his analysis of the status quo and the conversion tasks of theology, Theobald, who teaches in Paris, strongly referred to the prophetic task of theology and the necessity of "stereophonic listening" - i.e. to God and to the others in society and the church, especially to those in distress, said Polak. Theologians must pay attention to the "times of the day", he said, but in their contributions they must also serve, for example, to find a common consensus in the Church. Among many other points, the French theologian warned against dangers such as academic isolation or a distance from the view of real practice in Christian congregations.

Several experts at the conference also spoke about the role of canon law in the synodal process. For example, the canon lawyer, Wijlens pointed out the numerous possibilities already existing in canon law, which only need to be exhausted in order to strengthen Synodality as a form of participation, for example, also for women in the church. Plenary assemblies, diocesan synods, pastoral councils, diocesan councils: all this could be promoted without having to change anything in church law. Without a general change towards a synodal mentality among bishops and priests as well as among the faithful, however, according to Wijlens, even a canon law that strengthens Synodality even more would be of no use: The Bishops must be able to participate and listen, and the others must be willing and able to actively participate.

The importance of education (formatio) was also emphasised throughout the conference. Spiritual, moral and intellectual conversion are inextricably linked, Polak quoted from the contribution of theologian Michael Seewald in the Kathpress interview. Theology has an enlightening task in this context. Cardinal Grech, in turn, had pointed out that the way in which theology is practised and taught is decisive for the promotion of synodality.

"Still much more to learn from each other"

In the universal Church, there is a variety of different experiences with synodality and methods in the synodal process, Polak further summarised the theologian consultations in Rome. "It would be really good to learn a lot more from each other," said the Viennese theologian. In Latin America, for example, there has been a tried and tested synodal practice since 1968, the General Assembly of the Latin American Episcopate in Medellín: "There, synodality as a participatory practice and cooperation between theology, priests and bishops and the laity is simply quite normal."

From the reports from Africa, on the other hand, it had become clear that topics such as the effects of poverty or climate change were much more present in the synodal process there than in Europe, for example. "In Africa, the experience was that the call to participate, i.e. simply to say from the side of the faithful what concerns the people, brought many back to the Church."

For Asia, on the other hand, the Philippine theologian, Repole described how the spiritual deepening, but also the question of the poor, had been central in the synodal process so far. "To name the rights of the poor and to perceive the poor as a part of the Church and of society - that is also an aspect that has not occurred so clearly here in Europe," Polak said. In the so-called Global South, where poverty is massively more present, the Church also has a different role in social challenges.

Other topics, on the other hand, had run like a red thread through all the synodal consultations on the various continents. "That is the women's issue and generally the question of promoting the participation of the laity in church life." These topics are indeed coloured in the respective contexts of different regions of the world, but they are not only essential for believers in the West, as is often argued by Rome in particular. In this respect, those who take a broader, global view can also discuss the women's question in the church differently, Polak said.

Great disparity

All in all, he said, the Synodal process in the Church also shows a great disparity in many regions of the world. "This has to do with many historical, cultural and political dimensions. But it also has to do with theology," said Polak. Socialised theologically from the Second Vatican Council, she herself had already learned two decades ago in her theology studies how synodal action is theologically justified, the Viennese theologian described. "But this has simply not yet arrived with many people and in some regions.

Polak quoted Michael Seewald's statement that we are actually facing the "most conservative church reform of all time". "Because Pope Francis not only wants to continue to implement the Second Vatican Council, but also wants to recall and revive, as it were, a way of existence, a way of life, also of the young Church for the 21st century," Polak explained. "It is logical that this is more complicated in a universal Church with many millions of Catholics in the 21st century under global conditions than in the young Church. But theology really has an important role there."

There is also resistance to the Synodal process; "that is no secret," Polak reminded. "Theology in particular is called upon to formulate arguments here, for example, to what extent the Synodal process has a tradition in the history of the Church." At the same time, he said, the Bishops are also called upon to listen to theology.

"Broadening the horizon

"My impression is that Pope Francis is also slowing down on some issues because he actually wants us to change our mentality. And that the first question is not always: What are the consequences for church politics? The Pope is relying on a different attitude, from which the difficult questions are then discussed in order to be able to decide on them in the future. "In our latitudes, one must first learn to understand this approach in many cases."

"And with us it is also important to broaden our horizons," the Viennese theologian added. "There is not only the German-speaking world." In comparison of population and also Catholic numbers, Europe is really small, Polak reminded. "The majority of the Catholic Church is a Church of the Global South, and there we have a special responsibility as Europeans, as the European Church. And that comes far too short in our discourses, especially at a time when the world is confronted with so many crises."

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