The event was presided over by the Bishop of Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca and Grand Chancellor of the UPSA, Mons. José Luis Retana Gozalo, accompanied by the Rector of UPSA, Santiago García-Jalón de la Lama.
The Grand Chancellor thanked José San José for his explanations, recognizing his interesting first-hand contribution, both for the Diocese and for the University “since it will help us all,” he stated.
For his part, the Rector thanked the dean for his first-hand testimony at the Synod of Synodality, “whose importance is not lost on anyone, and time will tell about the results of that work, as well as the task we carry out.” following so faithfully the instructions of the Church,” he stressed.
José San José has made an assessment of the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and the Final Document. For a synodal Church: communion, participation, mission’, which will influence, according to the expert, the daily life of believers.
The dean has highlighted the good atmosphere experienced among the experts of the Synod, focused, on this occasion, on debating specific topics such as the challenges of evangelization, through common work and in which decisions have been made in a collaborative manner. .
During his intervention, the dean referred to the 10 study groups, assigned by Pope Francis, that have not had a place in the Synod, such as the survival of the Eastern Catholic churches, listening to the poor, the digitalization of the mission , etc.
However, the expert has referred to a word that is common and that has been present throughout the synodal process: the call to permanent ‘conversion’, “which is a true Christian attitude.” Furthermore, as the expert indicates, it is presented in the Final Document when it is explained that Synodality is a spiritual disposition that permeates the daily life of the baptized and all aspects of the mission of the church, not a sociological strategy.
The canonist has highlighted that a synodal mission requires as the most important element listening to the word, contemplation, silence and conversion of the heart. “For this reason, a synodal path cannot be carried out if it is not with practicing believers.”
The expert has insisted that for the Synodal Church in mission, it is necessary to be in an attitude of reception of the Holy Spirit. “And that is only done through attentive listening to the word, silence, meditation. It is not a merely human issue. It is about seeking the truth in the spirit,” he highlighted.
After the Synod, the Canonistic Commission, to which the dean of Canon Law belongs, now has the task of presenting several proposals to Pope Francis for the modification of some norms. For example, in relation to the mandatory creation of Pastoral and Economic Councils in the dioceses, which will lead to the creation of cooperation structures between pastors, lay people and religious.
At the same time, the Commission is working to launch provincial councils and assemblies, and promote the participation of the faithful in decision-making.
lay ministries
Currently, the ministries of the Church are the reader, the acolyte and the catechist, accessible to men and women. But as the expert indicates, and according to the principle of decentralization requested by the Pope, the bishop or the episcopal conferences will be able to create stable ministries according to territorial needs.
José San José has insisted that, “the truly effective and already possible way for the participation of the laity in the government and in decision-making in the Church are the offices, which the bishop can entrust, also to women without discrimination.” some”.
Regarding the participation of different groups such as women, young people, people with disabilities and the poor, the Document includes their most visible participation, so that their vision can be counted on in decision-making. And in this sense, the Commission will work to present its proposal with the aim of encouraging this participation.
Considering the emphasis on listening to diverse voices, how can the Synod ensure that marginalized communities are not only heard but also empowered to participate in shaping the Church’s future?
## World Today News Interview: Understanding the Synod on Synodality
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we are delving into the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, exploring its implications for the future of the Catholic Church. Joining us are two esteemed guests: **[Guest 1 Name and Affiliation, e.g., theologian, Church historian]**, and **[Guest 2 Name and Affiliation, e.g., lay Catholic leader, social worker]**.
**Section 1: The Spirit of Synodality**
* The Synod’s Final Document emphasizes the concept of “permanent conversion.” How might this concept manifest in the daily lives of believers, and what challenges might it pose?
* José San José highlights the importance of “listening” in the synodal process. What are some practical ways the Church can ensure genuine listening to the diverse voices of its members, including marginalized communities?
* How do you see the emphasis on “reception of the Holy Spirit” shaping the Church’s approach to decision-making in the future? Does this point towards a more collaborative and less hierarchical Church structure?
**Section 2: Concrete Implications of the Synod**
* The Catholic Church is considering the establishment of more lay ministries. What potential benefits and challenges do you foresee with this development? How can it foster greater participation of laity in Church governance?
* The Synod promotes the inclusion of “women, young people, people with disabilities and the poor” in decision-making. What specific measures can the Church take to ensure their voices are truly heard and represented at all levels?
* The Canonistic Commission is tasked with modifying Church norms based on the Synod’s findings. What changes would you prioritize, and how do you envision these changes shaping the Church’s mission in the 21st century?
**Section 3: Looking Ahead**
* What is your overall assessment of the Synod’s impact so far? Do you believe it has brought about a meaningful shift in the Church’s attitude towards synodality?
* What are some key areas where further dialog and discernment are needed within the Church, building on the momentum created by the Synod?
* What message would you like to convey to our viewers about the importance of the Synod and its implications for the future of the Catholic Church?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you to our guests for sharing their insights on this important topic. We hope this discussion has shed light on the complexities and opportunities presented by the Synod on Synodality. We encourage our viewers to continue engaging in thoughtful reflection and dialog on these issues.
