The Transformative Power of Synodality: A Glimpse into the Future of the Asian Catholic Church
Over the course of three days, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh Centre hosted a seminar on Synodality, shedding light on the immense potential of inclusivity and dialogue within the Asian Catholic Church.
With participants representing all eight dioceses in Bangladesh, the event aimed to deepen the understanding of synodality as a collaborative and consultative approach to Church governance and community engagement.
“Synodality is a dynamic vision of the Church, revealed through the process of setting ongoing goals,” emphasized Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, Under Secretary of the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Synod.
The seminar also focused on adapting synodality to the unique socio-cultural landscape of Asia, with Fr. George Plathottam, SDB, urging Catholics to embrace the synodal process as a means to address local challenges such as poverty, migration, and cultural diversity.
Pius Costa, a former government official and participant in the seminar, shared how synodality had influenced both his personal and professional life, emphasizing the importance of maintaining synodality in relationships with individuals of different faiths.
Archbishop Bijoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka highlighted the challenges of implementing synodal processes within traditional Church structures, emphasizing the need for synodality to tackle issues of power, money, and intolerance within the community.
Reflecting on Pope Francis’ vision of a Church that listens and collaborates, Archbishop Kevin Randall, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, underscored the importance of fostering inclusivity and understanding within the church community.
This seminar on synodality serves as a blueprint for inclusive Church reform in Asia, marking a pivotal step towards building a more collaborative and empathetic Church community.
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