The recent annual meeting of congregational leaders with the Australian bishops was dedicated to the theme of Synodality.

The meeting was ably assisted with preparations by Monica Cavanagh RSJ and Archbishop Tim Costelloe SDB and facilitation by Ian Cribb SJ. The meeting was appreciated by those who attended.

The choice of the theme would be of no surprise. Reflection on Synodality is a focus for the Church Universal at this time. An aspect of the contribution of religious congregations to this reflection is a sharing of our experience of the spirit of synodality within the internal life of discernment and decision-making of congregations as well as our collaborative efforts with others beyond ourselves.

We can easily get caught up with discussing the processes of Synodality and these are important. These will only have meaning only if there is deep embedding of what is core to Synodality in our attitudes and behaviours in all our encounters both personal and professional - the conscious awareness that the other or others are persons from whom I can learn. Whatever strengths or vulnerabilities are in myself and the other what does the experience of listening and sharing reveal to me about life, about the hopes and concerns we share and, ultimately, about God?

Synodality is a valuing of the revelatory dimension of human encounter not just in what is extraordinary but, perhaps more often, in the ordinary moments of life.

Fr Peter Jones OSA,

President, Catholic Religious Australia.