A webinar on “Spirituality and Synodality in the Ecumenical Dialogue: Celebrating Synodality” was held last May 21, 2022, Saturday afternoon. The speaker was Dr. Lizette Tapia-Raquel, an associate professor from the Union Theological Seminary, Cavite. There were thirty five (35) participants in this webinar with some participants attending as a group.
In this webinar, Dr. Raquel emphasized the importance of radical memory, multiplicity, and becoming in understanding spirituality. She critiqued the misuse of spirituality to protect predators and highlighted the need for solidarity with victims of injustice. Dr. Raquel also discussed the concept of divine multiplicity, where God is not static but evolving and responsive. The discussion included the role of the church in addressing social issues and the importance of inclusive and transformative spiritual practices.
Introduction
- Dr. Lizette Tapia Raquel, expresses her joy in participating in the webinar and shares her background as a feminist theologian and United Methodist Church deacon.
- Dr. Raquel explains the concept of Synodality, noting that it is not a term she is familiar with from her Protestant background.
- She provides historical context on synods, mentioning the Synod of Elvira and the Synod of Whitby, and discusses the modern understanding of Synodality.
- Dr. Raquel shares her experience of the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in 2019, highlighting the failure of the One Church Plan and the resulting disaffiliations.
Understanding Synodality and Spirituality
- Dr. Raquel discusses the historical context of synods, mentioning the Synod of Elvira and the Synod of Whitby, and the modern understanding of Synodality.
- She reflects on the role of lay participation in synods, citing the example of a listening bishop in Ontario who invited lay participation in his diocese.
- Dr. Raquel introduces the concept of the Synod of the Whole Church, launched by Pope Francis, and its focus on listening to the “tiny whispering sound” of God.
- She emphasizes the importance of action over belief, stating that “we are what we do.”
Challenges in the Church and Spirituality
- Dr. Raquel discusses the misuse and abuse of spirituality within the church, citing examples of sexual harassment and the distortion of truth.
- She highlights the plight of the Filipino people and the need for reflection on what they believe and listen to the voice of the Spirit.
- Dr. Raquel references Luke 4:18, emphasizing the role of the Spirit in bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, and setting free those who are oppressed.
- She introduces the concept of radical memory, which involves connecting past histories with current realities and recognizing the role of one’s people, church, or family in the history of colonization and suffering.
Radical Memory and Multiplicity
- Dr. Raquel discusses the importance of radical memory in spiritual discernment, emphasizing the need to remember victims and oppressors.
- She reflects on the 500-year commemoration of Christianity in the Philippines, highlighting the connection between Christianization and colonization.
- Dr. Raquel introduces the concept of radical multiplicity, which involves recognizing the multiplicity of experiences and perspectives within and beyond the church.
- She critiques binary thinking and the simplification of God and humanity, advocating for a God of multiplicity, infinity, and fluidity.
Divine Multiplicity and Incarnation
- Dr. Raquel discusses the concept of divine multiplicity, emphasizing that God is not frozen but is a God of multiplicity, infinity, and fluidity.
- She shares her experiences of encountering different faces of God, including the God of the slaves, the God of disability, the mother goddess, and the queer God.
- Dr. Raquel reflects on the importance of unlimited incarnation, where God is fully human and fully divine, and the implications for human agency and divine presence.
- She emphasizes the need to break free from doctrines and traditions that limit God and to recognize the agency of all people as children of God.
Radical Becoming and Relationality
- Dr. Raquel introduces the concept of radical becoming, which involves recognizing that people are always becoming and not just being.
- She discusses the importance of transformative discourse, feminist morphology, and radical precarity in the process of becoming.
- Dr. Raquel highlights the role of human agency in creating new life for oneself, one’s church, and the world.
- She emphasizes the importance of mutual valuing and honoring in building relations of partnership and cooperation.
Q&A Session
- The first question was about accounting for those who believe in misinformation that creates division within the church.
- Dr. Raquel responds by emphasizing the need for the church to be a cultural and moral influence and to find ways to reach out to people through prophetic speech and social media.
- The second question was about foretelling an era of respect for the divine feminine.
- Raquel clarifies that women have always been part of history and that the lecture includes the discussion of women because she is a woman and wants to bring women’s issues into the conversation.
Final Thoughts
- Dr. Raquel reflects on the importance of divine multiplicity and the idea of God becoming, using the example of the Netflix series “Lucifer” to illustrate her point.
- She emphasizes that God is not unchanging but is a God of journey, change, and transformation.
- The webinar concludes with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Raquel for her insights and challenges.