Bishop Barron Urges Catholics to Embrace Vatican's Synod on Synodality

Pope Francis and US Bishops

Bishop Robert Barron, known for his influential role in the Dioceses of Winona-Rochester, has called on Catholics to trust Pope Francis and his vision for the upcoming Synod on Synodality. The bishop emphasized that the synod is an advisory council rather than a democratic process aimed at changing doctrine. The announcement of the international delegates for the final phase of the Synod has ignited intense speculation and commentary within the Catholic press, as it promises to shape the future direction of the Church.

Among the delegates nominated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are Bishop Barron, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop Daniel Flores, Bishop Kevin Rhoades, and Archbishop Timothy Broglio. Additionally, Pope Francis has personally selected several American delegates, including Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit priest known for his advocacy regarding the Church's teachings on homosexuality and transgenderism. Despite the presence of diverse voices, Bishop Barron expressed confidence in the balanced ideological representation within the American delegation.

Bishop Barron noted that Pope Francis has emphasized the synod's purpose is not to function as a parliament or a democratic process. Instead, it seeks to address strategies to better engage those who may feel alienated from the Church. The bishop stressed the need to explore methods of reaching out to people and reengaging them, with a particular focus on evangelization in the modern age.

The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled for October this year, aims to bring together cardinals, bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters, and the laity from around the world. The synod aims to facilitate discussions on the Church's role in the contemporary world and determine the most effective approaches to global community-building. The synod will reconvene in October 2024 to finalize a document containing suggestions on church governance, which Pope Francis will have the authority to accept, critique, or reject.

It is essential to clarify that the synod's purpose is not to make doctrinal changes but rather to strategize on how best to engage with individuals who may have become distant from the Church. Bishop Barron, a proponent of education and engagement in Catholic orthodoxy, believes that the synodal process will contribute to a more effective plan for evangelization in the modern era.

Since the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, Bishop Barron has observed a shift within the Church, with some members prioritizing social justice and ethics over doctrine. He views the Synod on Synodality as a necessary step in refocusing the Church's mission on its evangelizing role.

Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized that the Synod should be seen as a journey guided by the Spirit, rather than a parliament demanding rights. He envisions a Church that actively reaches out beyond its confines to spread the joyful message of the Gospel, a sentiment that Bishop Barron supports wholeheartedly.

The Synod on Synodality represents an important opportunity for the Church to evaluate its strategies and find ways to engage with a diverse and changing world. By taking Pope Francis at his word and recognizing the synod as an advisory council rather than a forum for doctrinal change, Catholics can participate in a process aimed at revitalizing the Church's mission of evangelization in the modern age.