Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima formally opened the Synod of Bishops on Sunday 17th October 2021
On 17 October 2021, following the call of Pope Francis, Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima formally opened the Synod of Bishops on Sunday 17th October 2021 with a solemn Mass at Mangochi Cathedral.
The Faithful from around the diocese of Mangochi – including laymen and women, priests, seminarians, women and men religious, took part in the liturgy, which marked the beginning of a two-year synodal process. In his reflection , Bishop Stima took the day’s Gospel reading as the starting point for a reflection on synodality: “Celebrating a Synod,” he said, “means walking on the same road, together.”
“This Synod offers us the opportunity to be with each other, to invite our family and friends back to the faith, to listen to each other’s joys and sorrows, and share our hopes and dreams for our parishes.”
Synod is a Greek word (synodos) meaning a meeting or assembly. The two Greek words that make up synod are syn meaning together and hodos meaning way or journey. the Synod of Bishops is a gathering of bishops that: fosters closer unity between the bishops and Pope. provides counsel to the Pope on matters of faith and morals, and discipline of the Church. studies questions concerning the Church in the world (c.f. Code of Canon Law c. 342).
He said as a diocese will now actively engage in listening and in dialogue with Catholics of all ages. The intent of this synod is not to produce documents but to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.
Synodality and the synodal process are not a gathering or meeting of bishops, nor are they the administrative arm of the Church. Rather, synodality is the path and process of the Church as communion. It is the communion of all the baptized who are listening to each other, dialoguing with each other and praying together to hear the voice of Holy Spirit as we all seek holiness and proclaim the Gospel.
Synodality involves clergy, religious and laity listening and speaking, praying and discerning together, and placing the hopes and concerns of the People of God at the foot of the bishops, who, united with the Pope, decide matters of faith and morals in order to preserve the faith and strengthen the Church throughout the world.
Synodality is the “way” of being Church. Pope Francis in his opening remarks of the synod said it is the “path… which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.” The Synod preparatory documents describe this way or path as one where the faithful journey together and reflect together on how the Church can live communion, achieve participation and open itself to the mission as the pilgrim and missionary People of God, especially in the complexity of the world situation today.
At the end of the ceremony the bishop prayed the Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, the first word of the original Latin, meaning, “We stand before You, Holy Spirit,” which has been historically used at Councils, Synods and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years, and is attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560 – 4 April 636). As we embrace this Synodal Process, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to be at work in us so that we may be a community and a people of grace. For the Synodal journey from 2021 to 2023.
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.
Amen.