THE mission of the Church requires the entire People of God to journey together, with each member playing a crucial role, united in purpose. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus reaches out to all, not only saving individuals but gathering them as one people under His guidance as the Shepherd of the entire flock (cf. John 10:16). The ministry of Jesus shows us that no one is excluded from God’s plan of salvation.
The Roman Catholic Church advocates for a synodal Church that moves forward in communion, pursuing a common mission through the participation of every member. In a synodal Church, we listen to each other and to the signs of the times to discern what God is saying to us. Pope Francis characterizes the two interrelated goals of this process of listening and discernment: “to listen to God, so that with Him we may hear the cry of His people; to listen to His people until we are in harmony with the will to which God calls us.”
Discernment is a grace from God but requires our human involvement through simple practices: praying, reflecting, paying attention to our inner dispositions, and engaging in authentic, meaningful, and welcoming conversations. Discernment involves reflection, engaging both the heart and mind in making decisions that seek and find the will of God.
In a synodal style, listening is the method, discernment is the aim, and participation is the path. We listen together to the Word of God in Scripture and the living Tradition of the Church. We listen to one another, especially to those at the margins, discern the signs of the times, and participate together in the Church’s mission in the world.
Synodality entails receptivity to change, formation, and ongoing learning. Our church community must form people to be more capable of “walking together,” listening to one another, participating in mission, and making decisions through the discernment of what the Holy Spirit is saying through our whole community.
The term “Synod on Synodality” reflects the Church’s mission of journeying together. Derived from two Greek words, syn (together) and hodos (road or way), it refers to a religious assembly. Historically, synod assemblies have been held since the mid-second century, typically every three or four years, lasting for one month. A synod is a gathering of the People of God, journeying together in the presence of the Holy Spirit to discuss the Church’s direction.
Synodality means listening and walking together, at the service of the Church’s mission, with all members participating. It involves accepting change and continuous learning.
Bishop Julito B. Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete led the launching of the Synod on Synodality at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria on October 18, 2021, joining a simultaneous global launch. Bishop Cortes described the process as a “people-listened to” approach, where concerns, experiences, and suggestions were gathered for four months, culminating in a final document submitted to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). He emphasized the importance of listening to the people to ensure that pastoral plans consider their actual experiences.
The Diocese of Dumaguete, under Bishop Cortes, aligns with the Universal Church headed by Pope Francis in transforming parishes into synodal churches through the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC). During the Vicarial Fiesta of the Vicariate of St. Peter on June 29, 2024, Rev. Msgr. Glenn Corsiga, Vicar-General of the Diocese of Dumaguete, emphasized that BEC fulfills the synodal church’s mission: “If you’re lost, someone will search for you. If you have been found, you’re encouraged to return to the right path. With the synodal church, nobody is left behind; everyone journeys together.”
Rev. Msgr. Robert Bongoyan, Parish Priest of the Dumaguete Cathedral and Vicar Forane of the Vicariate of St. Peter, explained that the synodal church is not confined to the righteous alone but is open to all, especially those who have turned away. It is a church of mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
The Dumaguete Cathedral developed BECs within the parish, initiating various synodal activities such as Regular Area Masses, Kumpisalan Ng Bayan, Kasalan Ng Bayan, Pre-Jordan Seminar, Binyagan ng Bayan, Weekly Biblia-Ambit of BEC Parish Formation Team, Weekly Biblia-Ambit (Tulda Level), BEC Parish Formation Team regular meeting with Holy Hour, Update and Refresher Seminar on BEC The Dumaguete Way, Massive Orientation Seminars (First Wave of Evangelization), BEC First Wave of Evangelization for Lay Apostles and Lay Ministers, Third Wave of Evangelization (Zone level), Feeding Program, Building Temporary Shelters for the Poorest of the Poor, Launching, Blessing, and Turn-Over of BEC Panginabuhian sa Igsoong Binunyagan Project, “Huni ug Pag-alagad” in cooperation with the Couples For Christ Family Ministries, BLD, CWL, Lay Apostles Ministry, and other church organizations (Singing Contest/ Catechesis/ Feeding Program), and Parish BEC Day.
These efforts aim to foster a synodal culture of participation and discernment.
In partnership with DCCCO Multipurpose Cooperative, financial literacy, and pre-membership education seminars were conducted, demonstrating a commitment to the economic empowerment of BEC members.
In essence, the Church’s mission, rooted in synodality, calls us to walk together in faith, discern God’s will, and engage in the shared journey of salvation.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
