Synod of Bishops: We don’t
believe in a “google” God
Today at the Synod of Bishops on Youth a number of
interventions were made that highlighted the social context in which young
people are trying to live their faith.
By Russell Pollitt, SJ
The Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communications, Mr
Paolo Ruffini, began today’s Synod press briefing with a report outlining
numerous interventions made in the Synod’s general assembly hall. The bishops
have begun working on the second part of the Instrumentum Laboris, analysing
the context in which young people find themselves today.
Mr Ruffini also clarified the fact that the Chinese bishops
would not be staying for the entire Synod. They had previous engagements before
they were invited to the Synod.
Interventions
A number of issues arose, these included accompaniment and
formation, vocations, new “totalitarianisms” (things which colonise young
people and take away freedom) and how to create safes spaces to assist young
people discern what is good. Mr Ruffini said that in one intervention it was
said that the Church cannot be reduced to a “google” God. He said that
there was an acknowledgement that the Church had failed to accompany young people
in marriage and that marriage should not be reduced to a ceremony.
A changing social reality
Cardinal Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes from Mexico said that
in all ages those who struggle most to adapt to the social construct is young
people. He said that we live in a time of societal fracture. This means that
the Church must adapt in order to help young people. The Cardinal said
that the common vision of Vatican II can help us create stability and a pathway
forward.
Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg said that the
world is experiencing a deep and profound change of civilisation. He said that
he has contact with young people, he has young people living in the bishop’s
residence, and has realised that they live differently. He said that he has
learned that many young people have never read a book, instead they watch and
quote Netflix. Discernment, the archbishop said, is not about black and white
but discovering all the different colours and shades of reality. He said that
discernment is not about opinions clashing but about greatert listening and the
ability to feel and see what God wants us to do. This, he noted, is what the
Synod is all about.
Totalitarianism
Cardinal Rete said that totalitarianism is always a
temptation for society, especially in politics and economics. He said that
numerous types of totalitarianism were referred to in the assembly. He spoke of
the anonymity on the web which manipulates to generate certain ideologies.
Archbishop Hollerich said that he was concerned populism in
Europe. He said that this could cause a disintegration of Europe, it is putting
the continents very stability into danger. He said that politics was not
directly addressed at the Synod but believes that If we focus on the
marginalised then we are working to prevent the growth of populism. The
Archbishop said that the Synod is a good antidote to populism.
Joyful collaboration
Briana Regina Santiago, a lay auditor from the United States
of America, told the press that young people have spoken and been called on for
comment much more than they expected in the group discussions. She said that
she is unable to express in words how beautiful it has been to participate in
the Synod. She said that she had not heard of one young person having a
negative experience. There has been open dialogue, it has been eye-opening and
enriching and a good inter-generational conversation, she said.
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