On this Feast of Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church, here is the national submission for the next stage of the Synod in October 2024
Towards the Second Session of the Synodal Assembly (October 2024)
Synthesis of the Contributions from the Church in Scotland
To the request of the General Secretariat of the Synod, Towards October 2024, the Catholic Church in Scotland offers the following response. As outlined in the Secretariat’s request, the contributions of the eight dioceses in Scotland are here collected in answer to the guiding question – How can we be a synodal Church in mission? Reflections are organised to correspond with the chapters of the Synthesis Report, A Synodal Church in Mission.
PART 1 - THE FACE OF THE SYNODAL CHURCH
1. Synodality: Experience and Understanding
The overwhelming welcome that many who were able to participate in the Synodal process have given to this vision of a Synodal Church is a sign of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the process. There is much to build on but already the foundations are being laid. Understanding synodality as a spiritual process, which is rooted in prayer, listening and discernment, and guided by the Holy Spirit, enables us to foster a spirit of co-responsibility in the mission and governance of the Church.
Nonetheless, there is still hesitation on the part of some about this method of communal discernment. It is also acknowledged that participation was not consistent across all the dioceses and all parishes. Nevertheless, it is hoped that a greater appreciation of the equal dignity of all the baptised and the value of all their voices being heard, along with an increased understanding and exercise of the practice of synodality will help to overcome hesitations and will encourage more and more people to engage with the process. Many of those who have taken part in synodal gatherings have found that praying together has brought us closer as an authentically Christian community. Listening, sharing concerns, doubts and joys in a safe, non-judgemental environment has proved rewarding and meaningful.
The Conversation in the Spirit method may be used in any Church, family, or community context where discernment is required, decisions are to be made or grievances resolved. We must call on the Holy Spirit to be present as we listen and accompany each other on our journey of Faith.
4. People in Poverty, Protagonists of the Church’s Journey
The Church must support the poorest and most vulnerable. However, despite her ability to address immediate needs (for example, through soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other forms of outreach), the Church cannot singlehandedly eradicate hunger, homelessness and other forms of poverty from our world. Politicians need to act, and to encourage them to do so, dialogue is necessary. The Church's social doctrine is a valuable resource that has the potential to make a real difference in our world if it were to be consistently put into practice. Every member of the Church should be more aware of the social teachings of the Church so that we are equipped to denounce injustice and speak with elected officials about peoples’ real concerns. There are many occasions when the marginalised seem to remain marginalised by the structures and activities of the church, whereas we should be facilitating their voice to be heard, both in the Church and in society.
5. A Church “out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation”
To achieve this vision, we need to abandon our own reticence and learn to be open with other people about our faith and what it means to us. We must go out to the schools, involve families, engage young people, have social events, deliberately involve people, and learn to appreciate how others perceive things. Prayer is necessary. We recognise that we have already lost generations through our inactivity. We must seek to renew in ourselves and in others a living and active faith.
6. The Eastern Churches and Latin Church Traditions
To be more clearly a Church of Churches in communion, effective in service and dialogue, we should seek to understand the different traditions within the one Catholic Church. Eastern Rite Catholics have come to Scotland from India, Ukraine, and other countries.
There are also a number of adherents to the Tridentine Mass who feel their desire for Mass in the extraordinary form is not being listened to. They have no wish to create another Church.
7. On the Road Towards Christian Unity
Positive relationships exist between the local Catholic Churches and other Christian denominations in Scotland. There are ecumenical services, Christian groups, social activities and, at times, shared use of premises. Sadness has been expressed by people from other Christian denominations who cannot receive the Eucharist when attending Mass. We must continue to build bridges with these brothers and sisters in Christ.
In 2025, the anniversary year of the Council of Nicaea (325) at which the symbol of the faith that unites all Christians was elaborated, we propose a common commemoration of this event which will help us better understand how in the past controversial questions were discussed and resolved together in Council. To this end, we wish to encourage local celebrations.
PART 2- ALL DISCIPLES, ALL MISSIONARIES
8. Church is Mission
As the Synthesis Report notes, “The sacraments of Christian initiation confer on all the disciples of Jesus the responsibility for the mission of the Church… They have received different charisms and vocations and exercise different roles and functions, but all are called and nourished by the Holy Spirit to form one body in Christ…” (Ch 8, Convergences: b). There is little doubt that there are huge resources of people and expertise in our parishes that are not being used. “In their immense variety, the charisms of the laity represent distinct gifts to the Church from the Holy Spirit that must be called forth, recognized, and fully appreciated” (Ch 8, Convergences: f). We must consider: To what extent are we already doing this? How could we do it more effectively at parish, diocesan, and national level?
Significantly, before considering the various members of the Church, the Synthesis points to the crucial role of the family in the Church and in her mission: “The family is the pillar of every Christian community. Parents and grandparents and all those who live and share their faith in the family are the first missionaries. The family, as a community of life and love, is a privileged place of education in faith and Christian practice, one that needs special accompaniment within communities” (Ch 8, Convergences: c). In a world where the family is under attack in many ways, it follows that the Church will struggle in her mission to the world. This convergence concurs with what has been repeated in parishes and dioceses across Scotland: supporting and strengthening families in living their faith must be a priority. Family life brings many joys but also challenges and sadness, for example, when one spouse does not believe in God, children no longer practise the faith, or grandchildren are not baptised. Parents need the support of other adults to understand and fulfil their mission of evangelising their own children. However, many young families in the modern world struggle to achieve this, living as they do far from grandparents and other close relatives. Our parish communities must be ready to provide this support. Our parishes must be welcoming communities where parents benefit from the support, wisdom and encouragement of other members of the community, and children are cherished and nurtured by a community that desires to see them thrive.
At the same time, we must be committed to supporting the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities. All people must be treated with respect and dignity. Parish and Catholic schoo
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