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s2smodern

Ecumenical Discussion on Synodality at the Chapel for Europe.

How is the Church best to be governed, both in organization and in doctrine? From the beginning of Christianity, this has been a question. The entire congregation of Jerusalem deliberated whether Christian gentiles should be obliged to observe the Mosaic Law. “Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided”, states Acts 15:22.

The momentum of the Second Vatican Council made many lay people aware of their responsibilities and the possibility of participation in the life of the Church. In March 2018, the International Theological Commission of the Holy See published a text on synodality (community involvement in decision-making) in the life and mission of the Church. Pope Francis often uses the image of the path and invites us to move forward together, both within the Church and in society.

That’s why, within the framework of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Chapel for Europe organized in January the ecumenical conference “WALKING TOGETHER: COMMON DECISION MAKING IN OUR CHURCHES," contributing through this conversation to the current and exciting discussion on the synodality in the Church.

Rev Dr Sorin Selaru, Director of the Representation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the EU - Fr. Krystian Sowa SJ, Director Chapel for Europe - Rev Laurence Flachon, Pastor Eglise du Musee Bruxelles (Protestant Church) - Prof. Dr Annemarie C. Mayer, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven - Mgr Guy Harpigny, Bishop of Tournai (Catholic Church) - Ven Dr Paul Vrolijk, Senior Chaplain Pro-Cathedral Holy Trinity Brussels (Anglican Church)

The Chapel is uniquely situated in this discussion, being able to bring together representatives of the Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican Churches in Brussels, who shared their thoughts about the foundations of synodality in their Church, as well as the accompanying joys and challenges. For example, while in the Catholic Church there is often a primacy and priority of universality over the local, how to make the Catholic Church better listen to the local voices? From the other side, how to enhance the capacity of the non-Catholic churches to go beyond the local and national? Furthermore, how to prevent synods turning into just “talk shops,” slow on action and full of political fights.

There was of course no solution valid for all. However all the representatives of different Churches agreed that the well-organized Synod can be a wonderful time of fellowship, encouraging people to get involved in the Church, constructive in reflection and decision making, and it is the best way for the Churches to move forward. And on the way, the Churches can learn a lot from each other.

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s2smodern