Synod about synodality is an chance to reconcile different cultural identities in the Church, so that globalisation does not lead to the autonomy of Catholicism. Polish delegates for the Synod spoke about this at the Thursday press conference.
On Thursday 26 September, a conference on synodality was held at the office of KAI in Warsaw. Under the direction of Fr Leszek Gęsiak SJ, spokesperson for the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Synod of Synodality was discussed by 2 delegates of the Polish Academy of Sciences for the final synodal session in Rome, Bishop Sławomir Oder, the average of the Diocese of Gliwice and Bishop Jacek Grzybowski, the auxiliary bishop of Warsaw-Prague. In addition, prof. Aleskander Bańka was present, who is simply a European delegate to the synod, approved by KEP.
In principle, Archbishop Józef Górzyński, the Metropolitan of Warmiński, should besides attend the conference; however, he could not come due to duties in the archdiocese.
As Fr Leszek Gęsiak SJ explained, in addition to those mentioned in the final session of the Synod on Synodality in Rome, there will be another Poles: the cardinals elected for this. Grzegorz Ryś and Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal almsman, prefect of the Department of Mercy Services. There will besides be Poles representing another episcopals.
During the press conference ed. Paweł Chmielewski asked prof. Alexander Banka about the possible of creating a European Synod Assembly. This organization has been referred to for respective years, especially by representatives of the Church in Germany and Austria. At a fresh synod gathering in Linz, Austria, attended by Prof. Aleksander Bańka, a typical of the structures of the German Church, prof. Thomas Söding, inter alia, advocated the appointment of the Assembly. In any synodical papers there is besides a possible of setting up specified a continental body, which would be anchored in canon law and receive any kind of work for the Church.
Prof. Alesander Bańka pointed out that in Europe as a full there is no consent at this point to the establishment of a European Church Assembly and this thought should be understood as a concept of German and Austrian environments. However, he said that there is simply a kind of consensus, even enthusiastic, on a common European formation. He pointed out, for example, the seminar in Linz itself, where candidates from Germany or Austria, for example, are not educated.
Red. Paweł Chmielewski besides asked bishops about their assessment of the thought of Unity in Diversity, which is promoted at various synod meetings; it was expressed, among another things, at the Synod gathering of Europeans in Prague in 2024. Red. Chmielewski asked whether bishops feared that this unity would in fact strengthen the divisions between Catholics, among another things concerning doctrinal and moral issues, as it did in the context of ‘Amoris laetitia’ (Communication of Saints for Divorcers) or ‘Fiducia supplicans’ (blessing LGBT couples).
Bishop Jacek Grzybowski pointed to his experience in Latin America; he late attended a Eucharistic convention in Quito, the capital of Ecuador; and the bishop pointed out that he did not feel any dissonance between Catholicism in Poland and Catholicism in Latin America; he admitted that he would be more confronted with the global reality of synodism only in Rome.
The bishop besides pointed out that he understood the synodical process as an effort to reconcile within the Church with different identities and cultural sensibilities; he stressed that Pope Francis was doing large work here, for example, in spite of an advanced age travelling around the planet – precisely in order not to break up. Bishop Jacek Grzybowski pointed out that there is always a temptation of the easiest solution, that is to say, building local autonomy; synodity would be a tool in his assessment to overcome this.
The final Synod session on Synodality begins in Rome on 2 October, ending with a solemn Mass on 27 October. A final synod paper will be adopted the day before.
The PCh24.pl portal will be for you in Rome to study on the work advancement during the last key week of the Synod.
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