Cardinal Dolan Outlines 7 ‘Non-Negotiables’ for the Synod on Synodality by National Catholic Register
Cardinal Dolan said that “the energy and direction driving
the Church comes from the Holy Spirit, not ourselves.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York
(Joe Bukuras/CNANationOctober 20, 2021
NEW YORK, N.Y. — In an effort to explain Pope Francis’
vision for the Synod on Synodality for his flock, Cardinal Timothy Dolan's
homily Sunday offered seven “non-negotiables” that Jesus intended for the Church.
The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis earlier
this month, is a two-year, worldwide undertaking during which Catholics will be
encouraged to submit feedback to their local dioceses.
A synod is a meeting of bishops gathered to discuss a topic
of theological or pastoral significance, in order to prepare a document of
advice or counsel to the pope.
“[Pope Francis] wants us to join him in praying, listening,
discerning, examining ourselves personally, and the Church communally, to see
if we’re truly on the path Jesus has set for His beloved bride, His mystical
body, the Church,” Cardinal Dolan said.
“He has reminded us of certain clear essentials intended by
Jesus, constant, although, at times, we admit, clouded and dimmed, in the
Church’s amazing 2,000-year drama. Here are some of those non-negotiables.”
Cardinal Dolan went on to outline the following points:
(1)
Cardinal Dolan said that “the energy and
direction driving the Church comes from the Holy Spirit, not ourselves.”
(2)
“While in the world, we are not of the world,
and thus our guiding principles come from the Gospel, revelation, and the
patrimony of the Church’s settled teaching,” he said.
(3)
Dolan said “that the principles of the innate
dignity of every human person and the inherent sacredness of all human life are
the towering moral lighthouses on our path.”
(4)
Cardinal Dolan said that "our journey
through this life back to our true and eternal home of heaven is most
effectively accomplished precisely as a journey as we walk with and accompany each
other, with Jesus as our guide, His Mother and the saints, and we sinners at
each other’s side.”
(5)
"On this journey we pay special attention
to those at the side of the road, especially those who are sick, weak, poor, or
unable to keep up with us,” he said.
(6)
“Our wealth only comes from faith, trust,
prayer, the sacraments, and His grace,” he said.
(7)
Finally, Cardinal Dolan said that "mercy,
love, invitation, humility, joy, selfless generous service, and good example
are our only tools, never harshness, condemnation, or pride.”
Cardinal Dolan said he sees these seven “non-negotiables” as
“synodality in a nutshell.”
He said that throughout its history, the Church has
“expanded and developed its style of organization and authority.”
After comparing and contrasting the different sufferings and
triumphs the Church has experienced throughout its history, Cardinal Dolan said
that “now the successor of Saint Peter as bishop of Rome and pastor of the
Church Universal, Pope Francis, has asked us all to commence an examination of
conscience on how we as a Church are living up to the model of the Church given
us by Jesus.”
“We are loyal Catholics,” Cardinal Dolan added. “The Holy
Father has asked us to help him keep the Church always under the direction
Jesus, our good shepherd, intends.”
The concept of “synodality” has been a topic of frequent
discussion by Pope Francis, particularly during the previous ordinary Synod of
Bishops on young people, the faith, and vocational discernment in October 2018.
Synodality, as defined by the International Theological
Commission in 2018, is “the action of the Spirit in the communion of the Body
of Christ and in the missionary journey of the People of God.”
The term is generally understood to represent a process of
discernment, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, involving bishops, priests,
religious, and lay Catholics, each according to the gifts and charisms of their
vocation.
Pope Francis told the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith's theological commission in November 2019 that synodality will be
key for the Church in the future.
The Vatican announced in May that the Synod on Synodality
would open with a diocesan phase lasting from October 2021 to April 2022.
A second, continental phase will take place from September
2022 to March 2023. The third, universal phase will begin with the XVI Ordinary
General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to the theme “For a Synodal
Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission,” at the Vatican in October 2023.
Cardinal Dolan shared his homily on Monday after noting that
"many have asked about the “'synod process’ initiated by Pope Francis.”
The Cardinal acknowledged in his homily that he himself has
questions. “I don’t know if I completely understand [Synodality],“ Cardinal
Dolan said, adding that ”the Holy Father is honest in admitting that neither
does he have the full comprehension, which is precisely why he has summoned us
to this endeavor.”