AMECEA: Synodality Calls for Conversion, Says Cleric on Prominent Role of Priests in the Synodal Journey
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
One key aspect of the ongoing synodal process which commenced in 2021, is to have the spirit of conversion, Fr Vitalis Chinedu Anaehobi said during a webinar session Thursday, March 16, while addressing the role of priests in the Synod on Synodality journey.
As all people of God have been called to be part of this Church’s historical event without leaving anybody behind, the priests who are agents of communion and unity in building up the Body of Christ to make God’s people disciples of all nations, are no exemption.
While addressing participants at a webinar session organized by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in collaboration with the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) the Pan-African Committee for Communication (CEPACS), and in partnership with the African Synodality Initiative (ASI), Fr. Vitalis Chinedu Anaehobi who is the Secretary General of the Regional Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (RECOWA) insisted that priests have “vital roles to play in the birthing of a synodal Church.”
“For synodality to function well, there is a need for conversion on the part of the priests who would be the principal agents of synodality by their position in the Church,” Fr. Anaehobi said during his presentation and expounded, “There is a need for conversion in the way of understanding the exercise of authority in the Church, looking at it as a service in the manner of Christ who though he was God, he accepted the condition of a slave.”
The Nigerian Catholic priest pointed out that synodality demands transparency and accountability from priests. Even though most priests are transparent and accountable, this needs to be a culture for all since conversion will lead priests to understand the notion of co-responsibility against clericalism.”
In the Vademecum which is a handbook that accompanies the preparatory document at the service of the synodal journey in the local churches, the document highlights that priests are agents of communion and unity in building up the Body of Christ, helping the faithful to journey together, walking forward with one another in the midst of the Church.
Besides, clergy are heralds of renewal who are attentive to the evolving needs of their flock and point out how the Holy Spirit is opening new pathways and at the same time promoting a genuinely spiritual experience of synodality, so the People of God can be more attentive to the Holy Spirit and listen together to the will of God.
With this backdrop, Fr. Anaehobi who is elected participant to the assembly of the Synod on Synodality and was in attendance at the October 4-29 gathering, asked the priests to be engaged in the formation of the people of God on synodality.
“The syntheses report encourages priests to be close to the people, to listen to them and accompany them in their life journey,” the cleric said and continued, “It recognizes the vital role of the priests in making alive the spirit of the synodal Church. Through their homilies, organized formations, and their life, the priests will ensure the formation of the people of God on synodality.”
He warned that without involving the priests in the process, it would be difficult for the idea of synodality to trickle down to grassroots since the priests are the ones who work with the people at the parish level.
Fr. Anaehobi recounted that during the first phase of the synod, there were a lot of criticisms of priests even from the priests themselves but it was noted that if priests do not embrace the requirements in the synodal process because of the criticisms, then “synodality will be dead on arrival because the priests will not support it.”
In this case, he said, “For synodality to gain ground in the Church, priests, especially parish priests and priests in charge of formation houses must be carried along.”
Consequently, the Nigerian cleric called upon the priests whose task is also to help the faithful journey together and walk forward with one another, to be humble and “accept to be formed on synodality.”
“A synodal Church calls for formation of all the people of God beginning with the priests. It is already suggested that ratio fundamentalis (document on the gift of the priestly vocation) for the formation of priests should be reviewed but this concerns only those on formation,” Fr. Anaehobi disclosed and explained further, “For those already ordained, their accepting ongoing formation in synodality is their first role in the success of the synodality project.”
The Secretary-General told the participants that in the RECOWA region, members of the standing committee have been trained on synodality so through the Bishops, priests can be well informed and the same message will be rolled down to the people of God in parishes.
In the same breath, the cleric noted, that the Plenary Assembly of Nigeria Bishops conference has organized a “laity week running from Monday 11 March to Sunday 17th March. It is an occasion for the people of God to be formed and the formation is done mostly by priests.”
