This title might be a real head scratcher or turn off for some folks. For the head scratchers, they might not have a clue what either a Quaker is nor what a synodal process could possibly mean. That would be enough for not going any further than a title you don’t have a clue what it means. For some folks there may be just enough understanding of what the title might mean, so they are turned off by where they suspect I might go. Perhaps, someone knows what a Quaker is, but that person is not likely to have a clue what the synodal process means. At the other end, a Catholic might recognize the idea of the synodal process, but have not clue what a Quaker is or what a Quaker could possibly have to do with synodal processes.
I don’t claim I am the only one in the world who knows both what a Quaker is and what the synodal process means, but I have to be part of a small minority. And the good news is I have experience in both of those worlds. I have been a Quaker all my life. I am grateful for what that tradition has given me. At the same time, I am aware of some of the limitations of the tradition and have sought to supplement my knowledge and experience with the riches of other traditions, among them the Roman Catholic tradition.
I know the synodal process was launched by Pope Francis from Rome in October, 2021. The Pope asked all Catholic dioceses, churches and other Catholic entities to take some time to think about the church’s life and mission. That sounds like a good idea for many organizations. What makes it intriguing to me as a non-Catholic is the process the Pope asked the folks to follow. It is called a synodal process, which basically means the groups should come together and pray, listen and dialogue together. It has some interesting theological assumptions. One big assumption is that God or the Spirit and “speak” to this group. To many of us, this might not seem that surprising, but then the Roman Catholic Church has been more used to a hierarchical structure. The Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and Priests are the ones to whom God directly deals. And these figures (all males) then tell the people what is the story. The Pope is challenging this hierarchical process. Instead, Francis tells us, “it is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church in the third millennium.”
Because of my own interest and curiosity, I have been aware of this. But it became personal for me when a local Catholic community asked me to provide some leadership to help them through their own synodal process of listening for the Spirit. Many of them know about my own Quaker background, but they also appreciate my ecumenical spirit and how I have brought that to their community in the past. It is an interesting assignment, because as in most things spiritual, the normal measurement of “success” simply makes no sense.
The synodal process values community, listening and finally, obedience. I would argue obedience is the alternative measurement to judge the process. Obedience and not success is the point of the process. But I wondered, is this just my opinion? And so I turned to some reflections by the newly-minted Cardinal from San Diego, Robert McIlroy. As Bishop of San Diego, McIlroy certainly qualifies as participant in the Catholic hierarchy. But he does not want to work hierarchically. That is probably why Francis chose to make him a Cardinal. For McIlroy, it is all about dialogue.
McIlroy begins his reflection by saying, “The very notion of dialogue has atrophied throughout our American culture…”. I agree. People don’t see to talk to each other; they yell. They don’t listen and they don’t spend time with ones they disagree with. That is why he wants to opt for the synodal process, which values dialogue. He develops this by focusing on three concepts central to the synodal process.
The first concept is encounter. I like how he provides a bit of detail. “Pope Francis has stressed that whenever we enter into dialogue, it should be out of a stance of respect rather than a desire to change the other.” I think this is what I was asked to help the local Catholic community do. They wanted me to help them provide the space for encounter. The second concept is listening. Quakers are supposed to be good at this! Listening as a spiritual concept has two dimensions: listening to the Spirit and listening to each other. The synodal process says to priest and bishops, if you want to join us, get in the circle and listen. The third concept is the call for everyone to be honest and share their truth. Again, this does not sound revolutionary. But in a hierarchical system, it typically does not work that way.
Sitting with my Catholic sisters and brothers in a circle as we encountered each other, listened to the Spirit and each other and spoke honestly was a moving experience. There was no question of whether we were doing it right! I don’t even know how we would answer that. But I do know it was a fresh way of being together for the folks. And in this case, the priest was in the circle with the rest of the folks, but he did not speak. Again, that was a bit unusual. Did we hear the Spirit? Did we hear the Spirit clearly and correctly? I don’t know how you would answer this. That is where it will come to faith and obedience.
Faith is the way we live into the encounter with God. We step into the life to which we feel the Spirit calls us. In our listening process, we determine to the best of our ability---together---to hear and then to obey. Interestingly, the root meaning of obey is to “hear.” The doing is the action part that comes next.
I share this experience not simply to talk about the job I did. I share it because to participate in the synodal process was to engage the same Spirit and now be called to the same faith and action. My job has just begun!
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