A webinar on “Synodal Church: The Philippine Experience” was held last July 23, 2022, Saturday afternoon. The resource speaker was Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, D.D. (Bishop of Kalookan and President, CBCP). There were ninety-four (94) participants in this webinar with some participants attending as a group.
In this webinar, the Synodal Church in the Philippines was highlighted, emphasizing the national synodal consultation held from July 4-7, 2022. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David shared insights on the synodal process, including the involvement of marginal sectors and the importance of participation. He noted the establishment of 17 mission stations in Caloocan to serve the undocumented and unchurched. The discussion also covered the need for greater communion, participation, and mission in the church, and the potential for a Third Plenary Council of the Philippines.
Synodal Church: The Philippine Experience
- Bishop David Virgilio David, begins his presentation by discussing the significance of the synodal church in the papacy of Pope Francis.
- He describes the global synodal consultation process launched by Pope Francis in October 2021, emphasizing its grassroots involvement.
- The consultation process involved diocesan synodal teams coordinating from the parish level to the diocesan level.
- Bishop David highlights the participation of marginal sectors and the importance of their voices in the consultation process.
National Synodal Assembly and Its Findings
- Bishop David details the national synodal assembly held on July 4-7, 2022, with representatives from all dioceses and metropolitan provinces.
- The assembly produced a message organized into three parts: look, listen, and love, reflecting the experiences of joy, sadness, and fellowship.
- The message emphasized the need for conversion, welcoming, transparency, and accountability among clergy, consecrated persons, and lay collaborators.
- The assembly called for deeper communion, renewed mission, and the opening of doors for personal, parish, and institutional conversion.
Impact of Synodal Consultation and Future Directions
- Bishop David discusses the impact of the synodal consultation on the Philippine church and the potential for a Third Plenary Council of the Philippines.
- He highlights the need to implement the decrees of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP2) and address new issues emerging from the synodal consultation.
- The decision to hold a Third Plenary Council will be deferred until after the October 2023 global synod in Rome.
- Bishop David emphasizes the importance of greater communion, participation, and mission in the Philippine church.
Questions and Answers Session
- Participants raise questions about the availability of diocesan synodal reports and the participation of various sectors in the synodal consultation.
- Bishop David confirms that diocesan reports are available in the CBCP archives and can be requested from dioceses.
- He discusses the importance of involving marginal sectors and the challenges faced by the undocumented population in the Philippines.
- Bishop David shares the concept of mission stations and mission centers, emphasizing their role in community building and outreach to the marginalized.
Closing Remarks and Appreciation
- Bishop David expresses his interest in the participation of religious congregations in the synodal consultation and the submission of their synthesis reports.
- Participants from religious congregations confirm their involvement and the submission of their reports to the dicastery and dioceses.