The first session of the Synodal Assembly ended with a vote of the synthesis report. On many issues, the latter highlights the convergences, open questions and proposals that emerged during the work in Rome. Below, we publish chapter 5 on the relationship between mission and inculturation, which is a major issue for many Churches in Asia. The typically Asian image of "taking off one's shoes" to meet others is offered to the whole world.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Mass Pope Francis led this morning to bring to a close the first part of the Synodal Assembly was preceded last night by the approval of the synthesis report by the members of the Assembly (bishops and for the first time men and women from all over the world representing priests, religious and the laity). The 42-page document sums up the contents of a month of discussions in Rome. Divided into 20 topics, it singles out a series of "convergences, open questions and proposals”.

A Church from "every tribe and tongue, people and nation"

Convergences

a) Christians live within specific cultures, carrying Christ with them in Word and Sacrament. By committing themselves to the service of charity, they welcome with humility and joy the mystery of Christ who already awaits them in every place and in every age. This way, they become a Church of "every tribe and tongue, people and nation” (Rev 5:9).

b) The cultural, historical and regional contexts in which the Church is present reveal different spiritual and material needs. This shapes the culture of local Churches, their missionary priorities, concerns and the gifts each of them brings to the synodal dialogue, and the languages in which they express themselves. During the Assembly, we were able to have a direct and mostly joyful experience of the plurality of expressions of being a Church.

c) Churches live in increasingly multicultural and multireligious contexts, in which it is essential for religion and culture to engage in dialogue, together with the other groups that make up society. Living the Church's mission in these contexts requires a type of presence, service and proclamation that seeks to build bridges, foster mutual understanding, and engage in an evangelisation that accompanies, listens and learns. The image of "taking off one's shoes" – to meet others as equals, as a sign of humility and respect for a sacred space – resonated several times in the Assembly.

d) Migratory movements are a reality that is reshaping local Churches as intercultural communities. Migrants and refugees, many of whom bear the wounds of uprooting, war and violence, often become a source of renewal and enrichment for the communities that welcome them and offer an opportunity to establish a direct link with geographically distant Churches. In the face of increasingly hostile attitudes towards migrants, we are called to practise an open welcome, to accompany them in the construction of a new life project and to build a true intercultural communion among peoples. Respect for the liturgical traditions and religious practices of migrants is an integral part of true welcome.

e) Missionaries have given their lives to bring the Good News throughout the world. Their commitment gives eloquent testimony to the power of the Gospel. However, particular attention and sensitivity are needed in contexts where "mission" is a word laden with a painful historical heritage, which today hinders communion. In some places, the proclamation of the Gospel is associated with colonisation and even genocide. Evangelising in such contexts requires acknowledging the mistakes that have been made, learning a new sensitivity to such issues, and accompanying a generation that seeks to forge Christian identities beyond colonialism. Respect and humility are fundamental attitudes for recognising that we complement each other and that the encounter with different cultures can enrich living and thinking the faith in Christian communities.

f) The Church teaches the necessity and encourages the practice of interreligious dialogue as part of building communion among all peoples. In a world of violence and fragmentation, bearing witness to the unity of humanity, to its shared origin and destiny, in coordinated and fraternal solidarity towards social justice, peace, reconciliation, and care for our common home, appears ever more urgent. The Church is aware that the Spirit can speak through the voice of men and women of every religion, conviction and culture.

Issues to tackle

g) It is necessary to nurture to be sensitive to the richness of the various expressions of being a Church. This requires searching for a dynamic balance between the dimension of the Church as one and its local roots, between respect for the bond of the Church's unity and the risk of homogenisation that stifles variety. Meanings and priorities vary between different contexts, and this requires identifying and promoting forms of decentralisation and intermediate fora.

h) The Church is also affected by polarisation and mistrust in crucial areas, such as liturgical life and moral, social and theological reflection. We must recognise their causes through dialogue and undertake courageous processes of revitalisation of communion and reconciliation to overcome them.

i) In our local Churches, we sometimes experience tensions between different ways of understanding evangelisation, which focus on bearing witness to life, the commitment to human promotion, dialogue with faiths and cultures, and the explicit proclamation of the Gospel. Likewise, tensions emerge between the explicit proclamation of Jesus Christ and the appreciation of the characteristics of each culture in search of the Gospel traits (Semina Verbi) that it already contains.

j) The possible confusion between the message of the Gospel and the culture of the evangeliser was singled out as one of the questions to be explored.

k) Widening conflicts, with the sale and use of increasingly powerful weapons, lead to the question, raised in various groups, of a more careful reflection and training in nonviolent conflict management. It is an informed contribution that Christians can offer to today's world, through dialogue and collaboration with other religions as well.

Proposals

l) We must pay renewed attention to the question of the languages we use to speak to people's minds and hearts in a wide variety of contexts, in a way that is accessible and beautiful.

m) In view of the experimentation of forms of decentralisation, it is necessary to define a shared referential framework for their management and evaluation, identifying all the actors involved and their roles. For the sake of coherence, the processes of discernment in the field of decentralisation must occur in a synodal style, providing for the collaboration and contribution of all the actors involved at the different levels.

n) New paradigms are needed for pastoral work with indigenous peoples along the lines of a joint journey rather than action done upon them or for them. Their participation in decision-making processes at all levels can contribute to a more vibrant and missionary Church.

o) From the work of the Assembly has come a request for better knowledge of the teachings of Vatican II, the post-conciliar magisterium, and the social doctrine of the Church. We need to know more about our different traditions in order to be more clearly a Church of Churches in communion, effective in service and dialogue.

p) In a world in which the number of migrants and refugees is increasing, while the willingness to welcome them is decreasing, and in which foreigners are viewed with growing suspicion, it is appropriate for the Church to commit herself decisively to teach the culture of dialogue and encounter, fighting racism and xenophobia, especially in pastoral training programmes. It is equally necessary to work on projects for the integration of migrants.

q) We recommend a renewed commitment to dialogue and discernment in matters of racial justice. It is necessary to identify and fight the systems that create or maintain racial injustice within the Church. We must start processes of healing and reconciliation to eradicate the sin of racism, with the help of those who suffer its consequences.

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• vatican
• synod
• 2023
• report
• convergences
• proposals
• challenges