(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
For one thing, these synod assemblies always are more or less important merely by the fact of taking place. Here after all is a reasonably representative sample of the world’s hierarchy, including many of its best-known figures, convened under the presidency of the pope for the purpose of considering large issues in the life of the Church.
A youthful Polish cardinal named Karol Wojtyla made a name for himself on an international stage by his participation in synod assemblies during the 1970s. As Pope John Paul II, he will preside over the forthcoming synod session, and it’s entirely possible that his successor will be among the bishops taking part.
Also, to a greater extent than may be apparent at first glance, this meeting may prove to be broadly significant for its subject matter — the role of bishops. The reason lies in the fact that discussing the role of bishops today inevitably involves discussing episcopal collegiality, and “collegiality” now is a hot topic indeed at the upper levels of the Church.
The doctrine of collegiality was stated by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. A key passage in that document explains it thus:
“The order of bishops is the successor to the college of the apostles in their role as teachers and pastors, and in it the apostolic college is perpetuated. Together with their head, the Supreme Pontiff, and never apart from him, they have supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff.”
Standing side by side with collegiality is, of course, the doctrine of papal primacy: the pope’s supreme and unqualified authority to govern the whole Church. Papal primacy and papal infallibility were focal points of Vatican Council I (1869-70), just as episcopal collegiality was a focal point of Vatican II a century later.
Collegiality and primacy are not in conflict. Rather, they complement each other. But, getting down to practicalities — how?
An ecumenical council of the Church — the world’s bishops gathered in union with the pope to teach and govern — provides a notable example, but ecumenical councils are rare events (only 21 of them up to now). On a day to day basis, therefore, what are the structures, institutions, processes, and procedures that will make it possible for primacy and collegiality not merely to coexist but to work together for the good of the Church?
Much Church history in the last 35 years can be viewed as an attempt to answer that question, with the Synod of Bishops playing a central role. The synod was instituted by Vatican II precisely as an embodiment of the collegial spirit through which representative bishops would convene periodically under the presidency of the pope to participate in decision-making.
And so nine general assemblies of the synod, as well as several regional and special assemblies, have done over the years. At least up to a point. Yet hardly anybody thinks these awkwardly structured discussions, lacking authority in themselves, are ideal. So how can the Synod of Bishops become a better instrument of collegiality? That may be the central question for the assembly just ahead.
