Introduction
Young people are regarded by the Church as playing an important part in its present and future. Fostering the synodal spirit among them is not merely a matter of engaging them in talk, but of instilling a culture of listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
This project encouraged the Hong Kong Diocesan English Youth to organise an event on the subject of Synodality to discuss and reflect on its meaning, its benefits, as well as the practical ways to foster it.
I was more than thrilled to get an invitation to the event and as an observer, I could not help but be impressed by the initiative. That May 30 evening was an important spiritual moment as we gathered at The Breathing Room in Wan Chai.
Re-discovering the synodal spirit
Synodality per se is “the walking together of Christians with Christ and towards God’s Kingdom, in union with all humanity” [Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, 28]. It involves mutual listening, dialogue, and community discernment at all levels of the Church.
For young people, it means creating spaces where they are listened to, their visions accounted for, and their efforts intentionally sought in the work of the Church.
Young people are regarded by the Church as playing an important part in its present and future. Fostering the synodal spirit among them is not merely a matter of engaging them in talk, but of instilling a culture of listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
Synodality is also a spiritual disposition which includes listening to the Word of God, contemplation, silence, conversion of heart, humility, patience, and forgiving and being forgiven [Final Document, 43].
Apart from this definition from the Synod Fathers, our guest speaker, Father Miguel, an Opus Dei member, emphasised the need for humility in our different interactions, far away from the spirit of “emperors” in our day-to-day dealings.
Discussion topics were given to guide us in our small group meditations, and the desire and the longing for an open Church welcoming diversity was very real in the hearts of our international youth living in Hong Kong. And why was it so essential? The answer can be found in the importance of Synodality.
Synodality importance among the young people
1. Renewal of the Church: The youth are innovative and have a good sense of what is happening now. Their participation can help the Church to “appreciate new sensitivities and to consider new questions.”
2. Combatting social injustice: Young people are typically committed to the fight against social injustice and defending our common home, as stressed in the Final Document [No. 62]. Engaging them in synodal processes allows the Church to tap into their energy and enthusiasm for a more just and equitable world.
3. Personal commitment: Synodality brings the young to personal commitment to the Church and to being an active part of the local social and Church life. The invitation that they gave in the 2018 Synod on Young People to “walk together in daily life” is exactly in line with the synodal Church vision [see No 62]. To walk together, nobody is to remain a stranger.
Discussion topics were given to guide us in our small group meditations, and the desire and the longing for an open Church welcoming diversity was very real in the hearts of our international youth living in Hong Kong. And why was it so essential? The answer can be found in the importance of Synodality
4. Reciprocal dialogue: The Church has a lot to say to young people, and young people have a lot to say to the Church. This reciprocal dialogue, when transpiring with great cordiality, clarity and courage, will make for a favourable climate for the encounter and exchange between generations, and will be a font of wealth and youthfulness for the Church and civil society. Therefore, concrete initiatives are required to lead the steps along the way of Synodality.
Practical measures to encourage synodal spirit
1. Establishing platforms for dialogue: Establish forums where young adults can express their opinions and thoughts regarding Church matters. This could be in the form of youth groups, parish councils, youth sharing platforms or social media. Organising such gatherings on Synodality should be encouraged. Let us hope it will not be a one-off occurrence.
2. Apostles to their own: The Synod Fathers were convinced of the importance of youth-to-youth ministry. Youth can be apostles to their own generation, sharing with others the light of Christ which illuminates their own interior. I witnessed it firsthand in my years of youth ministry.
Young people are typically committed to the fight against social injustice and defending our common home, as stressed in the Final Document [No. 62]. Engaging them in synodal processes allows the Church to tap into their energy and enthusiasm for a more just and equitable world
3. Pilgrimages: Pilgrimage has been a natural part of the Christian life, and it can be most helpful in developing a sense of identity and belonging.
4. Synodal youth ministry: Synodality has to extend to youth ministry; it has to be a “journeying together” with respect to “the charisms that the Spirit bestows in accordance with the vocation and role of each of the Church’s members, through a process of co-responsibility” [Christus Vivit, 206].
5. Thoughtful accompaniment: Provide the young people with reflective and patient accompaniment; particularly, the proposal of a “spiritual companionship rather than spiritual direction—which may be seen as “instructions”—fruitful from their contribution, deserves to be promoted to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence.
Challenges and how to overcome them
1. Overcoming preconceived notions: The Church needs to lay aside one-sided preconceptions and listen carefully to the young.
2. Criticism: At times their attitude towards the Church is critical, but more often it appears as a pledge on the part of each individual to developing an open community in order to fight against social injustice and for the responsibility of our common home.
Fostering a synodal culture among young people is central to the renewal and mission of the Church. Our time spent together with the young people made me realise that inviting dialogue, valuing their feedback, and walking with the young people can empower them to be active protagonists in the building of God’s Kingdom, especially within the local context of Hong Kong
Conclusion
Fostering a synodal culture among young people is central to the renewal and mission of the Church. Our time spent together with the young people made me realise that inviting dialogue, valuing their feedback, and walking with the young people can empower them to be active protagonists in the building of God’s Kingdom, especially within the local context of Hong Kong.
It is a commitment to listening, humility, and openness to receiving what youth have to give. “The ultimate meaning of Synodality is the witness that the Church is called to give to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the harmony of love that pours himself out, to give himself to the world” [No 154].
Dominique Mukonda, CICM
