Vatican Synod Briefing with Fr Timothy Radcliffe "The Synod is an event of prayer and faith" - "And the beauty of Catholicism is welcoming people from all over the world..." FULL Video
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Among the last press briefings at the Vatican Press Office, were the interventions of Brother Alois of Taizé and of Father Radcliffe and Mother Angelini who accompanied the work of the assembly with their meditations.
«Let us not tire of praying incessantly for peace»: said the cardinal general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Mario Grech, who opened the proceedings in the Chamber, recalling «that today is a day of fasting and prayer for peace» . The meeting for the entire Assembly is at 6pm, in St. Peter's Basilica, for the rosary and Eucharistic adoration with Pope Francis.
Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and president of the Information Commission, made this known in today's briefing which began at 2.20pm in the Holy See Press Room, and introduced by deputy director Cristiane Murray. A Letter to the People of God, was approved by the participants, with 336 affirmative votes against 12.
Vote on the "Synthesis Report"
«320 members were present at this morning's General Congregation for concurrent commitments in the Roman Curia and other meetings» stated Ruffini in reporting the point of the synod's work: «After the prayer and before the discussion in the Circles and the free interventions - dedicated to collecting questions , suggestions and proposals regarding the next phase of the synodal process which will accompany us until October of next year - some information was given regarding the definitive draft of the summary report".
«Yesterday, at the end of the discussion on the first draft of the Report - explained the prefect - 1125 collective "ways" were collected by the Circles and 126 individual "ways".
All “ways” have been and will be taken into consideration. This is out of respect for those who subjected them. The reception work is still in progress. The writers and experts - to whom the Assembly gave an applause of thanks - are working, even at night, to prepare the updated version of the text".
Ruffini explained that «the intent is to first of all welcome those “ways” that have received broad consensus, so that they find their place in the updated text. After having implemented the "ways" delivered by the smaller circles, the text will be examined this evening in the meeting of the Commission for the Synthesis Report".
«Pursuant to article 33 § 2 of the Instruction on the celebration of Synodal Assemblies, the Commission will be called to approve the text by an absolute majority» the prefect pointed out.
On Sunday 29th - the Holy Mass for the conclusion of the Synod will be at 10 am, in St. Peter's Basilica. In conclusion, Ruffini announced that "this morning's proceedings were introduced by the current delegate president Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts".
Sheila Pires, secretary of the Information Commission, then presented the framework and contents of the interventions within the smaller circles, all concentrated towards the phase following October 2024. The theme of the day, in fact, was the sharing of ideas and proposals on methods and stages for the next phase of the synodal process, before the second session.
A brief summary of the Document is summarized in a language more understandable for everyone, especially young people. The importance of bringing "conversations in the Spirit" into communities to avoid the risk of discussions being disconnected from the concrete life of the people of God was then underlined in the Chamber. Furthermore "it was suggested to involve local communities at all levels, following a synodal path". Finally, Pires concluded, "proposals have been put forward to apply synodality and co-responsibility, making good use of the possibilities already provided for by canon law, to involve young people, women and deacons".
«Let us not tire of praying incessantly for peace»: said the cardinal general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Mario Grech, who opened the proceedings in the Chamber, recalling «that today is a day of fasting and prayer for peace» . The meeting for the entire Assembly is at 6pm, in St. Peter's Basilica, for the rosary and Eucharistic adoration with Pope Francis.
Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and president of the Information Commission, made this known in today's briefing which began at 2.20pm in the Holy See Press Room, and introduced by deputy director Cristiane Murray. A Letter to the People of God, was approved by the participants, with 336 affirmative votes against 12.
Vote on the "Synthesis Report"
«320 members were present at this morning's General Congregation for concurrent commitments in the Roman Curia and other meetings» stated Ruffini in reporting the point of the synod's work: «After the prayer and before the discussion in the Circles and the free interventions - dedicated to collecting questions , suggestions and proposals regarding the next phase of the synodal process which will accompany us until October of next year - some information was given regarding the definitive draft of the summary report".
«Yesterday, at the end of the discussion on the first draft of the Report - explained the prefect - 1125 collective "ways" were collected by the Circles and 126 individual "ways".
All “ways” have been and will be taken into consideration. This is out of respect for those who subjected them. The reception work is still in progress. The writers and experts - to whom the Assembly gave an applause of thanks - are working, even at night, to prepare the updated version of the text".
Ruffini explained that «the intent is to first of all welcome those “ways” that have received broad consensus, so that they find their place in the updated text. After having implemented the "ways" delivered by the smaller circles, the text will be examined this evening in the meeting of the Commission for the Synthesis Report".
«Pursuant to article 33 § 2 of the Instruction on the celebration of Synodal Assemblies, the Commission will be called to approve the text by an absolute majority» the prefect pointed out.
On Sunday 29th - the Holy Mass for the conclusion of the Synod will be at 10 am, in St. Peter's Basilica. In conclusion, Ruffini announced that "this morning's proceedings were introduced by the current delegate president Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts".
Sheila Pires, secretary of the Information Commission, then presented the framework and contents of the interventions within the smaller circles, all concentrated towards the phase following October 2024. The theme of the day, in fact, was the sharing of ideas and proposals on methods and stages for the next phase of the synodal process, before the second session.
A brief summary of the Document is summarized in a language more understandable for everyone, especially young people. The importance of bringing "conversations in the Spirit" into communities to avoid the risk of discussions being disconnected from the concrete life of the people of God was then underlined in the Chamber. Furthermore "it was suggested to involve local communities at all levels, following a synodal path". Finally, Pires concluded, "proposals have been put forward to apply synodality and co-responsibility, making good use of the possibilities already provided for by canon law, to involve young people, women and deacons".
Insights from Benedictine Mother Maria
Mother Maria Ignazia Angelini, a Benedictine from the monastery of Viboldone, was spiritual assistant at the Synod. She revealed that the role, «which suits me profoundly, participating in listening and prayer and in interaction with the members of the Synod, in the various pauses between the smaller Circles, starting from an experience of monasticism within the Church, an experience marginal from the beginning but with a prophetic charge, and I think of Saint Benedict."
Mother Angelini continued, "to be able to represent my absolute irrelevance in this continuous thread of meaning in the history of the Church, lurking at the root of the issues that were addressed, the root that is expressed in the monastic gaze on the life of the Church under study of the Scriptures, of prayer and of fraternal relationships, which become hospitable".
The Benedictine nun further underlined the "revolutionary" nature of the Synod, "a change of pace in the life of the Church, in the sense of inclusiveness in presences", with "a ray of openness in the ability to listen to differences, in the ability to look at reality, in a complex, indecipherable moment of history, which asks faith for a vision starting from the highest perspective in which the presence of God becomes flesh".
«Scripture gives us profound and luminous criteria for interpreting such terrible historical moments» continued Mother Angelini, who then praised the «profoundly innovative» method in which cardinals, bishops, theologians and lay people found themselves together with all their differences to pray together and listen to each other. It will be important "to see how we move forward from this experience" she concluded.
Mother Maria Ignazia Angelini, a Benedictine from the monastery of Viboldone, was spiritual assistant at the Synod. She revealed that the role, «which suits me profoundly, participating in listening and prayer and in interaction with the members of the Synod, in the various pauses between the smaller Circles, starting from an experience of monasticism within the Church, an experience marginal from the beginning but with a prophetic charge, and I think of Saint Benedict."
Mother Angelini continued, "to be able to represent my absolute irrelevance in this continuous thread of meaning in the history of the Church, lurking at the root of the issues that were addressed, the root that is expressed in the monastic gaze on the life of the Church under study of the Scriptures, of prayer and of fraternal relationships, which become hospitable".
The Benedictine nun further underlined the "revolutionary" nature of the Synod, "a change of pace in the life of the Church, in the sense of inclusiveness in presences", with "a ray of openness in the ability to listen to differences, in the ability to look at reality, in a complex, indecipherable moment of history, which asks faith for a vision starting from the highest perspective in which the presence of God becomes flesh".
«Scripture gives us profound and luminous criteria for interpreting such terrible historical moments» continued Mother Angelini, who then praised the «profoundly innovative» method in which cardinals, bishops, theologians and lay people found themselves together with all their differences to pray together and listen to each other. It will be important "to see how we move forward from this experience" she concluded.
Father Radcliffe's Experiences from previous Synods
Father Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, a Dominican from the British monastery of Oxford, a spiritual assistant, said, synodality is part of the way of being of his order, founded eight hundred years ago, in which decisions are made together, he said. Being at the fourth Synod, he observed how this last one is really different from the others. And «this is an extraordinary change in the way in which we are Church together: I think that already the fact of seeing cardinals, young women from Latin America and Asia who sit together to talk is transformative from the point of view of the experience of people and also of being Church".
He assured, "it is certainly still a Synod of Bishops, because it reveals very clearly what it means to be representatives of the episcopal college not as solitary individuals, but as bishops immersed in the conversation of their people" through "listening, speaking, 'learning together'.
Furthermore, Father Radcliffe mentioned the changes for the future of the Church that many expect: «This means that perhaps they are not looking for the right thing, because we are gathered to understand how to be the Church in a new way, rather than making specific decisions; how we can be a Church that listens and whose members listen to each other across different cultures, and listen to tradition over time. We are learning how to make decisions together, how to listen to each other: we are at the beginning of a learning process, so there will be obstacles and mistakes, and this is fine, because we are on the way."
Indeed, he reiterated, this «learning process is of extraordinary importance today. We live in a world full of violence, with the collapse of communication between people, as in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in many parts of Africa, but also in our own countries, in Great Britain and the United States, where we see a polarization, and somehow we have to learn how to talk to each other and how to listen to each other." Here then is the hope that this Synod cannot be "useful only for healing the wounds of the Church, but also for humanity".
Brother Alois, prior of the Taizé Community since 2005, (who will leave the position to Brother Matthew in Dec.) - participating in the Synod as a "special guest" - began by quoting a pastor reformed present in the Chamber as a fraternal delegate: «This Synod is a profound experience of communion». These are significant words that testify to how the synodal assembly was truly "open to all Christians and to the world". In this regard, Brother Alois recalled the ecumenical vigil held in St. Peter's Square on 30 September in the presence of representatives of various Churches and Christian communities: «it is an image - he said - of what we currently experience in ecumenism, it is a kairos , an opening, a moment that allows us to move forward in spiritual ecumenism" starting from the awareness that "we are all baptized in Christ" and "we are part of one body". This, he added, "was palpable throughout the Synod", especially in listening, in simplicity, in the willingness to dialogue, in the joy of being together. "I truly hope that this style - he hoped - can spread to many places in the world", because the synodal process "is making us enter a new way of being the Church".
To the first question from journalists - who asked him if, in some way, given his books on communication which Pope Francis greatly appreciated, he considered himself one of the "builders" of this Synod - Father Radcliffe replied that he had not had a role particular in this regard, but to have participated in the common dialogue. To the next question on the possibility of the Synod to bring the Church to a new phase despite the skepticism of some, Brother Alois reiterated that he had appreciated in the work of recent weeks a certain evolution in the dialogue between people of different cultural backgrounds who have tried to understand each other, saying he was certain that the Synod had brought about a transformation in their soul according to "that path that we must all take together".
Father Radcliffe echoed this by arguing that many people fear the synodal method because they do not understand it, fearing that the synodal debate is of a political nature and causes schisms when in fact the opposite is happening. «The Synod is an event of prayer and faith» he remarked.
He was asked what practical suggestions he would give to a parish priest to implement the concepts of this Synod on a practical level. Father Radcliffe replied that the recurring theme of the Synod was the criticism of clericalism; however, this must not alarm priests, but it is also necessary to highlight every positive aspect of the diocesan priesthood, its beauty, supporting the work of those who evangelize.
When asked about possible political readings of the Synod, Father Radcliffe underlined that he did not believe that the ideological conflict emerged from the proceedings. What came out were cultural differences. And the beauty of Catholicism is welcoming people from all over the world, because cultures have a beautiful diversity that is enriching. What may be a concern for a certain cultural environment is not for those who live in another place. Learning to be respectful of the concerns of others, he said, is therefore a much more important issue than ideological issues that were not encountered in the Synod.
Brother Alois observed, we live in a world in which there are increasingly more fears and anxieties. The temptation to close oneself in ideologies exists, but in the Church one can truly go against the grain, cross borders. This is noticeable, he said, with the young people in Taizé, who want to be more understanding, respectful of the different ways of expressing faith. In the Church, he concluded, we must find an even clearer way of experiencing the beauty of diversity.
Father Radcliffe, in response to a question on the admission of homosexuals to the seminary, specified that the issue is not exclusion but the fact that there are people who have made homosexuality "at the center of their identity", something which raises doubts about their suitability for the priesthood. Asked subsequently about the fruits that the Synod can bring, the Dominican theologian reiterated that it was not a mere exercise in dialogue but above all in sharing, appreciating everyone's opening up "to the life and experiences of people who come from different places" . Along the same lines, the prior of Taizé, who underlined how the listening method «has been fruitful», even if it takes time to see the fruits of what has been sown, and appreciated the fact that «in this assembly this space was given listening following a profoundly evangelical method".
Mother Angelini said that not having participated in the minor circles - defined as a fruitful moment where one could experience the "transition from I to we" - hers is a partial point of view, but one that has allowed at least to grasp the seriousness of the problem. It is a question, you explained, of the need in the Church to find an appropriate language, especially in the digital world and in the communication of new media, but also a liturgical language, which is absolutely obsolete for the new generations. And on this, you added, the need for conversion emerged in the Synod. In this sense, the presence of the Taizé brothers at the ecumenical prayer on 30 September represented a strong moment. "Everything now depends on the ability of the members of the Synod to bring these requests to the local Churches", identifying places of mutual listening to bring to you this great problem of the absence of young people from ecclesial life. Therefore, if this need was manifested in the Synod, continued Mother Angelini, now it is necessary to mediate and also pray so that there are places where young people feel called, attracted and involved in a process of ecclesial conversion, and not simply of personal dialogue, because they need to tell their stories and must also be included in paths of discernment, reading of history, and decisions on a practical level in the local Churches.
Prompted by a question, the prefect then reiterated that it will not be possible to abstain in the vote and referred to the proposals that each club was invited to discuss. In practice, the path from here to the next assembly is still in progress and subsequent discernment in the dioceses is needed. One significant thing: we asked ourselves how to involve the people of God - who live in very different places, which can be of war or suffering - in a journey in which they are involved. However, he concluded, the observations must arrive by this evening to the commission which will then process them, to make them their own or make proposals. Father Radcliffe intervened to add "that it is the first time that non-bishops have the right to vote".
To a question about the importance of healing humanity's wounds, Radcliffe said that it is necessary to "try to reach people who are wounded, taking care of them." And he mentioned the experience of Luca Casarini, a participant in the Synod, who is responsible for saving migrants at sea. «Taking care of others allows us to heal the wounds of others, just as listening to the voices of wounded people is very important and this allows us to help them heal» he concluded.
As for a possible direct relationship between the Synod's reflection and this morning's statement regarding Father Rupnik - with the Pope's decision to derogate from the prescription to allow a trial to take place - Prefect Ruffini said: «I don't think there is a relationship with what the Synod has repeated several times and that the Church has been doing for years to address the scourge of abuse and take a path of penance, which has not begun today, and of working towards the new norms that have been approved". However, the Synod does not address individual cases, added Ruffini, recalling how important Pope Francis' work is in the fight against abuse.
Father Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, a Dominican from the British monastery of Oxford, a spiritual assistant, said, synodality is part of the way of being of his order, founded eight hundred years ago, in which decisions are made together, he said. Being at the fourth Synod, he observed how this last one is really different from the others. And «this is an extraordinary change in the way in which we are Church together: I think that already the fact of seeing cardinals, young women from Latin America and Asia who sit together to talk is transformative from the point of view of the experience of people and also of being Church".
He assured, "it is certainly still a Synod of Bishops, because it reveals very clearly what it means to be representatives of the episcopal college not as solitary individuals, but as bishops immersed in the conversation of their people" through "listening, speaking, 'learning together'.
Furthermore, Father Radcliffe mentioned the changes for the future of the Church that many expect: «This means that perhaps they are not looking for the right thing, because we are gathered to understand how to be the Church in a new way, rather than making specific decisions; how we can be a Church that listens and whose members listen to each other across different cultures, and listen to tradition over time. We are learning how to make decisions together, how to listen to each other: we are at the beginning of a learning process, so there will be obstacles and mistakes, and this is fine, because we are on the way."
Indeed, he reiterated, this «learning process is of extraordinary importance today. We live in a world full of violence, with the collapse of communication between people, as in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in many parts of Africa, but also in our own countries, in Great Britain and the United States, where we see a polarization, and somehow we have to learn how to talk to each other and how to listen to each other." Here then is the hope that this Synod cannot be "useful only for healing the wounds of the Church, but also for humanity".
Brother Alois, prior of the Taizé Community since 2005, (who will leave the position to Brother Matthew in Dec.) - participating in the Synod as a "special guest" - began by quoting a pastor reformed present in the Chamber as a fraternal delegate: «This Synod is a profound experience of communion». These are significant words that testify to how the synodal assembly was truly "open to all Christians and to the world". In this regard, Brother Alois recalled the ecumenical vigil held in St. Peter's Square on 30 September in the presence of representatives of various Churches and Christian communities: «it is an image - he said - of what we currently experience in ecumenism, it is a kairos , an opening, a moment that allows us to move forward in spiritual ecumenism" starting from the awareness that "we are all baptized in Christ" and "we are part of one body". This, he added, "was palpable throughout the Synod", especially in listening, in simplicity, in the willingness to dialogue, in the joy of being together. "I truly hope that this style - he hoped - can spread to many places in the world", because the synodal process "is making us enter a new way of being the Church".
To the first question from journalists - who asked him if, in some way, given his books on communication which Pope Francis greatly appreciated, he considered himself one of the "builders" of this Synod - Father Radcliffe replied that he had not had a role particular in this regard, but to have participated in the common dialogue. To the next question on the possibility of the Synod to bring the Church to a new phase despite the skepticism of some, Brother Alois reiterated that he had appreciated in the work of recent weeks a certain evolution in the dialogue between people of different cultural backgrounds who have tried to understand each other, saying he was certain that the Synod had brought about a transformation in their soul according to "that path that we must all take together".
Father Radcliffe echoed this by arguing that many people fear the synodal method because they do not understand it, fearing that the synodal debate is of a political nature and causes schisms when in fact the opposite is happening. «The Synod is an event of prayer and faith» he remarked.
He was asked what practical suggestions he would give to a parish priest to implement the concepts of this Synod on a practical level. Father Radcliffe replied that the recurring theme of the Synod was the criticism of clericalism; however, this must not alarm priests, but it is also necessary to highlight every positive aspect of the diocesan priesthood, its beauty, supporting the work of those who evangelize.
When asked about possible political readings of the Synod, Father Radcliffe underlined that he did not believe that the ideological conflict emerged from the proceedings. What came out were cultural differences. And the beauty of Catholicism is welcoming people from all over the world, because cultures have a beautiful diversity that is enriching. What may be a concern for a certain cultural environment is not for those who live in another place. Learning to be respectful of the concerns of others, he said, is therefore a much more important issue than ideological issues that were not encountered in the Synod.
Brother Alois observed, we live in a world in which there are increasingly more fears and anxieties. The temptation to close oneself in ideologies exists, but in the Church one can truly go against the grain, cross borders. This is noticeable, he said, with the young people in Taizé, who want to be more understanding, respectful of the different ways of expressing faith. In the Church, he concluded, we must find an even clearer way of experiencing the beauty of diversity.
Father Radcliffe, in response to a question on the admission of homosexuals to the seminary, specified that the issue is not exclusion but the fact that there are people who have made homosexuality "at the center of their identity", something which raises doubts about their suitability for the priesthood. Asked subsequently about the fruits that the Synod can bring, the Dominican theologian reiterated that it was not a mere exercise in dialogue but above all in sharing, appreciating everyone's opening up "to the life and experiences of people who come from different places" . Along the same lines, the prior of Taizé, who underlined how the listening method «has been fruitful», even if it takes time to see the fruits of what has been sown, and appreciated the fact that «in this assembly this space was given listening following a profoundly evangelical method".
Mother Angelini said that not having participated in the minor circles - defined as a fruitful moment where one could experience the "transition from I to we" - hers is a partial point of view, but one that has allowed at least to grasp the seriousness of the problem. It is a question, you explained, of the need in the Church to find an appropriate language, especially in the digital world and in the communication of new media, but also a liturgical language, which is absolutely obsolete for the new generations. And on this, you added, the need for conversion emerged in the Synod. In this sense, the presence of the Taizé brothers at the ecumenical prayer on 30 September represented a strong moment. "Everything now depends on the ability of the members of the Synod to bring these requests to the local Churches", identifying places of mutual listening to bring to you this great problem of the absence of young people from ecclesial life. Therefore, if this need was manifested in the Synod, continued Mother Angelini, now it is necessary to mediate and also pray so that there are places where young people feel called, attracted and involved in a process of ecclesial conversion, and not simply of personal dialogue, because they need to tell their stories and must also be included in paths of discernment, reading of history, and decisions on a practical level in the local Churches.
Prompted by a question, the prefect then reiterated that it will not be possible to abstain in the vote and referred to the proposals that each club was invited to discuss. In practice, the path from here to the next assembly is still in progress and subsequent discernment in the dioceses is needed. One significant thing: we asked ourselves how to involve the people of God - who live in very different places, which can be of war or suffering - in a journey in which they are involved. However, he concluded, the observations must arrive by this evening to the commission which will then process them, to make them their own or make proposals. Father Radcliffe intervened to add "that it is the first time that non-bishops have the right to vote".
To a question about the importance of healing humanity's wounds, Radcliffe said that it is necessary to "try to reach people who are wounded, taking care of them." And he mentioned the experience of Luca Casarini, a participant in the Synod, who is responsible for saving migrants at sea. «Taking care of others allows us to heal the wounds of others, just as listening to the voices of wounded people is very important and this allows us to help them heal» he concluded.
As for a possible direct relationship between the Synod's reflection and this morning's statement regarding Father Rupnik - with the Pope's decision to derogate from the prescription to allow a trial to take place - Prefect Ruffini said: «I don't think there is a relationship with what the Synod has repeated several times and that the Church has been doing for years to address the scourge of abuse and take a path of penance, which has not begun today, and of working towards the new norms that have been approved". However, the Synod does not address individual cases, added Ruffini, recalling how important Pope Francis' work is in the fight against abuse.
Source: Vatican News
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