SVD
Generalate

The Synod on Synodality 2021-2024, “For a Synodal Church. Communion, Participation, Mission” is coming to its end with the beginning of the Second Session of the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2-27, 2024), which takes place in Rome. 368 voting members, some of them are religious and lay people, men and women, guided by the Holy Spirit, will give an answer to the question of “How to be a synodal Church in mission”, and to discern together the voice of God speaking to the Church, Pope Francis has encouraged the delegates to receive all the contributions collected during these three years with respect and attention, in prayer and in the light of the word of God.

The Society of the Divine Word is well represented on the global stage of the Synod, with members from four continents. These include Edgardo Cedeña, Bishop of Penonome (Panama); Emmanuel Fianu, Bishop of Ho (Ghana); Isao Tarcisio Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo (Japan); and Ladislav Nemet, Archbishop of Belgrade (Serbia). We are sure their contribution to the Synod as SVDs will enrich the discussions on mission, interculturality, and dialogue as crucial elements to be a synodal Church in mission. The latter two, along with the entire SVD family, received with great joy and pride the announcement made by Pope Francis on October 6, after the Sunday Angelus, regarding the upcoming Consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals. Among those to be elevated on December 8, 2024—on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception—are Archbishop Kikuchi and Archbishop Nemet.

As part of the SVD’s 150th jubilee celebration, this news arrives as a long-awaited and truly precious gift. Since the passing of Cardinal Thomas Tien Ken-sin on July 24, 1967, no SVD confrere has been elevated to the rank of cardinal, making this a historic and deeply meaningful milestone for the entire congregation. We express our deep gratitude for this grace, recognizing it as one of the many blessings we are receiving during this jubilee year. These blessings include the successful conclusion of the 19th General Chapter, the election of a new leadership team, the memorable visit of the capitulars to Pope Francis on June 28, and the episcopal ordination of Fr. Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD, former Superior General, as Archbishop of Ende, Indonesia, on August 22, 2024.

Missionaries of Synodality

In his address to the participants of the 19th General Chapter at the Clementine Hall on Friday, June 28, 2024, Pope Francis emphasized the inseparable connection between synodality and mission. He highlighted that synodality is, by its very nature, missionary, and that true mission is always carried out in a synodal spirit. The Holy Father encouraged us to embrace our role as missionaries of synodality, urging us to promote it in every dimension of our lives and ministries. His words serve as a powerful reminder of the call to foster communion, participation, and shared discernment as we carry out the Church’s mission in the world:

“Now, a third aspect: to be missionaries of synodality. A Church that “goes forth” is open to others. It is a welcoming and embracing community where the Lord lives and the Spirit is active. The Church that goes out is extroverted, while a partisan Church is introverted. Always be open, put your heart into it! Today the Church must grow in a synodal approach, listening to everyone, dialoguing with everyone, and discerning in the Holy Spirit what is her mission. Synodality is not a question of being in fashion. “Synodality is essentially missionary and, vice versa, mission is always synodal” (Message for World Mission Day, 20 October 2024). For this reason, I encourage you to promote synodality in every aspect of your life. May every community grow and enjoy a synodal “style” whereby each member feels listened to and accepted. (…).”

When we read and reflect on the words spoken to us by Pope Francis, we feel profoundly challenged in our missionary commitment. We are called to fully embody and promote the essential elements of Synodality: openness, dialogue, mission, participation, and communion. None of these principles are unfamiliar to us; we strive to embrace the Spirit of Synodality within our communities and in our missions. Yet, this endeavor is not without its challenges.

Shining the Light of Synodality

The theme of the 19th General Chapter, “Your Light Must Shine Before Others” (Mt 5:16): Faithful and Creative Disciples in a Wounded World, invites us to reflect on how our light can truly shine in a world filled with wounds and challenges. How can we illuminate the path for others when we grapple with individualism and find it difficult to embrace confreres from diverse nations and cultures? How can we shine brightly when we yearn for leadership positions or seek to control others?

Furthermore, how do we maintain our light amid excessive desires for material goods, a lack of sincerity, and a diminishing commitment to both personal and common prayer?

We must also confront the issue of clericalism, which fosters an unhealthy fixation on authority and distorts the true essence of priesthood. This mindset not only perpetuates the abuse of power and authority but also hinders the valuable contributions and participation of the laity in the life and mission of the Church.

These questions compel us to reflect on our journey with others and impel us to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Triune God. The pain and brokenness within the Church and our society urgently call us to embark on a journey of renewal and conversion. Only by confronting these challenges can we truly become the faithful and creative disciples that our world desperately needs. However, we as a human being, quoting Pope Francis, will be like a pale moon that reflects the light of Christ our sun, to take up, faithfully and joyfully, our mission to be for the world a sacrament of that light, which is not our own.

The 19th General Chapter as an Expression of the Synodal Journey in the Church

The last General Chapter remains fresh in our minds and hearts. It wasn’t merely a month-long event, but a complex, three-year process that can be seen as an expression of the Synodal journey that Pope Francis is guiding us through with the Synod on Synodality. Throughout the various phases of preparation, and during the Chapter itself, held in Nemi from June 16 to July 14, 2024, the goal was clear: to listen to all members of our society and the broader Arnoldus Family, and together, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, discern what the Triune God is asking of us in these challenging times and in a wounded world. This was the central aim pursued by the leadership team.

We would like to highlight several new aspects of the 19th General Chapter that promoted our journey together, deepened our sense of communion, and enhanced participation in our shared mission:

1. The final document of the 19th General Chapter is the result of a collective effort by the Capitulars, building on the working document prepared by the Second International Preparatory Committee. Ample time was provided for Capitulars to revise the working document and offer suggestions within both small groups and topic-focused groups. The use of the Padlet app ensured that contributions from the various groups were communicated to the plenary session and thoughtfully considered by the drafting committee and all Capitulars.
2. The full participation of the four representatives of the SVD Lay Partners and two SSpS members was a significant aspect of the Chapter. In seeking to listen to the Arnoldus Family, they were not merely observers but active participants throughout the entire Chapter, even during sessions addressing difficult issues. They contributed to small groups, topic-focused discussions, and plenary sessions. Moreover, at the end of the Chapter, each of them was given ample time to share their impressions and experiences from the month-long gathering in Nemi with the Capitulars.
3. Finally, the election process for the new leadership team was a communal discernment on which confreres would be entrusted to lead the Society for the next six years. Time was allocated for consultations on potential candidates, and Capitulars were encouraged to engage in the practice of “murmuratio,” walking two by two to inquire about confreres. Each small group discerned and proposed specific confreres to the plenary for the formation of the leadership team. Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, the Superior General of the Jesuits, was invited to share his leadership experience. The process was deeply rooted in both personal and communal prayer.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the journey of the Synod on Synodality and the 19th General Chapter, we are reminded of the profound call to be missionaries of synodality in a wounded world. Both the Synod and the General Chapter have underscored the importance of walking together, listening deeply, and discerning the voice of God as a community. The principles of openness, dialogue, participation, and communion that define synodality are not just ideals but essential elements of our mission as disciples of Christ.

Pope Francis’ encouragement to foster synodality in every aspect of our lives resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face today. The world is in need of faithful and creative disciples who, guided by the Spirit, are willing to confront the difficult realities of individualism, clericalism, and materialism, and to embrace a spirit of humility, inclusion, and renewal.

The experiences of the 19th General Chapter, with its focus on communal discernment and active participation, have given us a concrete model of how to live out synodality in practice. As we move forward, we are called to shine the light of Christ in all that we do, becoming a sacrament of His presence in the world. By embracing the Spirit of Synodality, we will continue to grow as a global community that listens, discerns, and acts together in service of the Church’s mission.

Fr. Anselmo Ribeiro, General Superior
and the Leadership Team.