Synodality in the ecclesiology of Pope Francis

Abstract

Synodality is a constitutive element of the Church and offers us the most appropriate interpretive framework for understanding the hierarchical ministry itself. Saint John Chrysostom says that “Church and Synod are synonymous”: it means that, within the Church, no one can be “raised up” higher than others. On the contrary, in the Church, it is necessary that each person “lower” himself or herself, so as to serve our brothers and sisters along the way. A synodal Church is a Church which listens, which realizes that listening “is more than simply hearing”. It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn. The faithful people, the college of bishops, the Bishop of Rome: all listening to each other, and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:17), in order to know what he “says to the Churches” (Rev 2:7).