Synod leaders address challenging questions from university students

By Linda Bordoni

Some 140 university students, primarily from North America, gathered Friday evening in the Paul VI Hall to engage directly with leaders of the Synod Secretariat.

The event, titled “University Students in Dialogue with Synod Leaders,” featured a series of insightful questions posed by students and answered by Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Synod rapporteur, Sr. Leticia Salazar, chancellor of the Diocese of San Bernardino, and Bishop Daniel Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville, in south Texas.

The configuration of the round table, which mirrored that of the 2sd The Synod’s session on synodality symbolized Pope Francis’ vision that the Church walked together on a path of listening and engagement.

Meet the listening challenge

The first question came from Asia Chan, a student from Trinidad and Tobago, who expressed her struggle to express her faith in a different culture and asked how the Church could improve future consultations to ensure more voices are heard.

Cardinal Grech responded, acknowledging the challenge and sharing that the Church’s current synodal process is unprecedented in its reach. He noted that while there is still room for improvement, this synod involved many more people than previous ones.

“During the Synod on the Family,” the cardinal said: “Only 80 of the 114 episcopal conferences participated. This time, 112 people out of 114 submitted their report: this means that a good number of people have been heard.”

He also noted that this time more than 20,000 people participated on a digital platform, so “the participation was very good and promises to be better in the future.”

“Listening is fundamental,” he continued, emphasizing the importance of hearing not only opinions but also the guidance of the Holy Spirit in a process that “will help the Church become more synodal, in creating a culture of encounter rooted in listening to God and each other. other.”

Engaging young people on the margins

Alexandra, a Venezuelan student who grew up in the Middle East, asked why young people not engaged in the Church should care about synodality and how the Church could create spaces for those who feel hurt by it.

Cardinal Hollerich stressed the importance of listening to people, not just their opinions, in today’s polarized world.

He highlighted the clash of opinions that currently characterizes the United States and said that “polarization is a way of thinking very far from synodality, as is the case of the digital world, where you only follow people who have the same opinions as you – and if you disagree, becomes very oppositional.

But, he added, “a person with a different opinion is not an enemy; we are part of the same humanity. We must find common solutions.

In the Church, he said, it is easier because we are brothers and sisters; we share the same baptism.

“I think the world can learn from this,” he said, “and it would be good if we could open ourselves to other beliefs and religions to discuss in a global brotherhood the great problems of our world” , because synodality offers a way to bring people together. together, recognizing their common humanity.

The world, Cardinal Hollerich said, could learn from the Church’s approach to synodality, including creating spaces for respectful dialogue that address global issues such as peace, justice and ecology.

Fidelity to tradition in a context of synodal change

Sondra, a student from San Francisco, expressed concerns about how the emphasis on experience in the synodal process could affect fidelity to tradition and truth.

Bishop Flores responded by reassuring her that synodality does not compromise the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel. He acknowledged the challenge of listening to those with different viewpoints, but said doing so is essential to understanding the realities people face.

“How do I remain faithful to the Church? The Church has been a mess for 2,000 years, but the Spirit holds it together. What do I bring to Rome from South Texas? I don’t fear that faith of the Church will be compromised if we listen to each other,” he said.

The synodal process, he explained. helps deepen understanding without undermining the fundamental teachings of the Church.

Moving from debate to action

Joseph, a student from New Orleans involved in youth ministry, asked how the synod could turn discussions into concrete actions.

Sister Leticia Salazar highlighted the transformative nature of the synodal process. She compared this to St. Ignatius of Loyola’s invitation to experience the Scriptures as if one were present in the scene. Sitting at the same tables as synod participants, she said, is a powerful experience that fosters communion and transformation.

Sr. Leticia expressed hope that students will take this experience back to their communities, making synodality a lived reality. She added that the process is not just theoretical but a way of discerning and building one Church together.

“What will happen after this time here? This will continue in San Bernardino and hopefully throughout the Church,” she said. “It’s a way of finding Jesus in each other, it’s not an idea, it’s building together and discerning together the will of God.”

In this time of polarization, Sr. Leticia continued: “Synodality has a gentle way of announcing the Good News in a very respectful way. »

“I am hopeful that the United States will see you here,” she concluded. “The beauty is that we are not alone. Pope Francis does not want to accomplish his mission alone; he called the whole Church to do so with him. Make it real! »

Synodality in theological and ministerial formation

Fabio from El Salvador, a theological researcher, asked how seminaries and theological schools could foster synodality.

Bishop Flores responded by encouraging theologians and seminarians to engage with the realities of the people they serve. He emphasized the importance of stepping outside of academia to experience the lives of those on the margins.

Cardinal Grech added that seminaries and theological programs must be re-evaluated from a synodal perspective. He invited students and theologians to contribute to this ongoing conversation, emphasizing that synodality must permeate all levels of Church formation.

Interreligious dialogue and global synodality

Mika from Cincinnati asked the 6th and final question regarding how the Church could support the laity in promoting interreligious dialogue and what lessons synodality could learn from other religious traditions.

Cardinal Hollerich reflected on his experience in Japan, where he taught students of various religions. He shared how this encounter helped him recognize that God is already present in all cultures and religions.

The cardinal stressed that synodality can teach the world that religion should not be a source of conflict but rather a path towards greater fraternity and called on the Church to act in concert with other religious traditions to address challenges. global challenges, such as social and ecological justice, as well as brothers and sisters united by a common mission.

“We must show that we do not just talk, we must act together, meet and grow in esteem, love and friendship and act for the good of humanity. That’s part of our mission, and part of that mission is also to proclaim God,” he said.

A mosaic of prayers and questions

At the end of the session, the students presented a mosaic representing prayers and questions raised during their time in Rome. Each of the panelists was invited to contribute a prayer, symbolizing the collective hope for a more synodal, inclusive and attentive Church.