Reforming the Catholic Church is no small task

The Catholic Church is out of touch with women and men of the 21st century who prefer empirical evidence to dogmatic pronouncements.

That, at least, is the view of Pope Francis, who believes that “realities are more important than ideas” and a church should lead by example. This project, he insists, cannot be achieved by the clergy alone. The old model of bishops and priests deciding on the right way forward for the church needs to be replaced by one that can discern Christian truth in the experience of the laity. This is what Francis intended when he mandated the “synodal path” — a worldwide consultation among Catholics launched last October in Rome.

Catholics are justified in expecting much from that process of dialogue. Expectations, however, need to be grounded in reality and experience demonstrates the difficulty of institutional reform in the Catholic Church. For example, the Vatican Council II (1965) promised a comprehensive renewal not only of church structures, but of what it takes for the church to be a credible witness to the faith it teaches. Those reforms were impeded by ideological skirmishes and adversarial tactics, causing Italian Archbishop Piero Marini to pointedly ask: “Would the bishops of the Second Vatican Council recognize the faithful implementation of their decisions” in the Church today?

Pope John XXIII, who convened that council, wanted it to be a catalyst “to throw open the windows of the Church so that we can see out and the people can see in.” Sadly, the church’s history of denial and coverup of clerical abuse of children and the secrecy surrounding its complicity in the residential schools program leave one wondering if Pope John’s wish for openness and transparency was ever taken seriously.

On the positive side, the Catholic Church in Canada has enacted strict protocols regarding the reporting and response to abuse. As well, the Conference of Catholic bishops has publicly taken responsibility to make good on promises to the victims of the residential schools. Despite these changes, many both inside and outside the church, justifiably wonder why so many Catholics continue to hope and pray for structural, attitudinal and relational changes.

One reason for this optimism is the charismatic figure of Pope Francis. Unfortunately, his vision for a church that embraces the poor, cares for the environment, welcomes migrants and refugees, and reclaims the joy of the Gospel has prompted, at best, tepid responses. Suspicion of and resistance to his program continues to ferment in more traditional pockets of the church and is a signal to those anticipating change that it will not come easily.

As Catholics across Ontario embark on the “synodal path” they should remember that more than an opportunity to express their views, it is a responsibility which they share, a power they have to talk to and with their bishops and priests, but especially with each other, about what both God and the world expects from their church today.

How the initial phase of this process will unfold is still unclear. According to Pope Francis, “synodality is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice.” Consultation is a dialogue that requires critical thinking and substantive discussion over

time. For most Catholics being listened to, being heard is not a familiar experience. But what parishioners across the diocese should keep in mind is that as they embark on the “synodal path” they will be showing publicly how the church undertakes the process of change and adapts itself to the challenges of a new historical era. In these days where the church’s credibility is in question, this will be no small task.