Fundamental Question

The Main Question for Consultation
This Synod poses the following fundamental question: A synodal Church, in announcing
The Gospel, “journeys together.” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your
local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying
together”? (PD, 26)
In responding to this question, we are invited to:
- Recall our experiences: What experiences of our local Church does this question call
to mind?
- Re-read these experiences in greater depth: What joys did they bring? What difficulties and
obstacles have they encountered? What wounds did they reveal? What insights have they
elicited?
- Gather the fruits to share: Where in these experiences does the voice of the Holy Spirit
resound? What is the Spirit asking of us? What are the points to be confirmed, the prospects for
change, the steps to be taken? Where do we register a consensus? What paths are opening up for
our local Church?
To help people explore this fundamental question more fully, the following themes
highlight significant aspects of “lived synodality” (PD, 30). In responding to these questions, it is
helpful to remember that “journeying together” occurs in two deeply interconnected ways. First,
we journey together with one another as the People of God. Next, we journey together as the
People of God with the entire human family. These two perspectives enrich one another and are
helpful for our common discernment towards deeper communion and more fruitful mission.
The questions accompanying each of the following ten themes can be used as a starting
point or helpful guideline. Your conversation and dialogue do not need to be limited to the
following questions:
1. COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY

In the Church and in society we are side by side on the same road. In our local Church, who
are those who “walk together”? Who are those who seem farther apart? How are we called to
grow as companions? What groups or individuals are left on the margins?
2. LISTENING
Listening is the first step, but it requires an open mind and heart, without prejudice. How
is God speaking to us through voices we sometimes ignore? How are the laity listened to,
especially women and young people? What facilitates or inhibits our listening? How well do we
listen to those on the peripheries? How is the contribution of consecrated men and women
integrated? What are some limitations in our ability to listen, especially to those who have
different views than our own? What space is there for the voice of minorities, especially people
who experience poverty, marginalization, or social exclusion?
3. SPEAKING OUT
All are invited to speak with courage and parrhesia, that is, in freedom, truth, and
charity. What enables or hinders speaking up courageously, candidly, and responsibly in our
local Church and in society? When and how do we manage to say what is important to us? How
does the relationship with the local media work (not only Catholic media)? Who speaks on
behalf of the Christian community, and how are they chosen?
4. CELEBRATION
“Walking together” is only possible if it is based on communal listening to the
Word and the celebration of the Eucharist. How do prayer and liturgical celebrations actually
inspire and guide our common life and mission in our community? How do they inspire the most
important decisions? How do we promote the active participation of all the faithful in the
liturgy? What space is given to participating in the ministries of lector and acolyte?
5. SHARING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR COMMON MISSION

Synodality is at the service of the mission of the Church, in which all members
are called to participate. Since we are all missionary disciples, how is every baptized person
called to participate in the mission of the Church? What hinders the baptised from being active in
mission? What areas of mission are we neglecting? How does the community support its
members who serve society in various ways (social and political involvement, scientific research,
education, promoting social justice, protecting human rights, caring for the environment, etc.)?
How does the Church help these members to live out their service to society in a missionary
way? How is discernment about missionary choices made and by whom?
6. DIALOGUE IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY

Dialogue requires perseverance and patience, but it also enables mutual understanding. To
what extent do diverse peoples in our community come together for dialogue? What are the
places and means of dialogue within our local Church? How do we promote collaboration with
neighboring dioceses, religious communities in the area, lay associations and movements, etc.?
How are divergences of vision, or conflicts and difficulties addressed? What particular issues in
the Church and society do we need to pay more attention to? What experiences of dialogue and
collaboration do we have with believers of other religions and with those who have no religious
affiliation? How does the Church dialogue with and learn from other sectors of society: the
spheres of politics, economics, culture, civil society, and people who live in poverty?
7. ECUMENISM
The dialogue between Christians of different confessions, united by one baptism,
has a special place in the synodal journey. What relationships does our Church community
have with members of other Christian traditions and denominations? What do we share and how
do we journey together? What fruits have we drawn from walking together? What are the
difficulties? How can we take the next step in walking forward with each other?
8. AUTHORITY AND PARTICIPATION
A synodal church is a participatory and co-responsible Church. How does our Church
community identify the goals to be pursued, the way to reach them, and the steps to be taken?
How is authority or governance exercised within our local Church? How are teamwork and co-
responsibility put into practice? How are evaluations conducted and by whom? How are lay
ministries and the responsibility of lay people promoted? Have we had fruitful experiences of
synodality on a local level? How do synodal bodies function at the level of the local Church
(Pastoral Councils in parishes and dioceses, Presbyteral Council, etc.)? How can we foster a
more synodal approach in our participation and leadership?
9. DISCERNING AND DECIDING

In a synodal style we make decisions through discernment of what the Holy Spirit
is saying through our whole community. What methods and processes do we use in decision-
making? How can they be improved? How do we promote participation in decision-making
within hierarchical structures? Do our decision making methods help us to listen to the whole
People of God? What is the relationship between consultation and decision-making, and how do
we put these into practice? What tools and procedures do we use to promote transparency and
accountability? How can we grow in communal spiritual discernment?
10. FORMING OURSELVES IN SYNODALITY

Synodality entails receptivity to change, formation, and on-going learning. How does our
church community form people to be more capable of “walking together,” listening to one
another, participating in mission, and engaging in dialogue? What formation is offered to foster
discernment and the exercise of authority in a synodal way?

Fundamental Question

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Fundamental Question

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The Main Question for Consultation

1. COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY

5. SHARING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR COMMON MISSION

6. DIALOGUE IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY

9. DISCERNING AND DECIDING

10. FORMING OURSELVES IN SYNODALITY

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