There is a brooding boredom abroad in relation to the church’s talk about synodality. Inside the beltway, some people are seriously trying to bring it to life and relevance while others rely on token efforts and the passivity of the faithful to ensure it doesn’t disturb the status quo.

Outside, it is all a sideshow – no traction.

Essentially cooperation

Synodality is essentially cooperation with bells added. It is about listening, understanding and acting for the common good. That should not be too hard!

Many religious orders and congregations have developed wonderful skills and processes in this area. That they have reaped the benefits is plain for all to see. You would think that we would have heard more about their successful methods instead of trying to reinvent them!

Not an end in itself

Synodality is not an end in itself but we could be forgiven for thinking it is. Much of the conversation seems to presume so. Discussion on the real issues of purpose, agency and relationships (mission, participation and communion in church-speak) is light-on.

It seems to be presumed that we already understand and are of one mind about what they mean. And furthermore, that we are reasonably comfortable with the current state of affairs. ‘Things need a bit of a shake-up but, by and large, the ship is on course.’

Sinful scandals

Issues such as the abyss between what the church teaches and the practices of Catholics, the disengaging of large numbers from church activities, and widespread loss of credibility in the public square receive little or no attention.

Continuing obfuscation on the status of women and same-sex attracted people are sinful scandals. Clear thinking and responsible decisions would work wonders here but the age-old habit of kicking the can down the road is alive and well.

Seeking agency

Meanwhile, people are turning to personal resources, friends and social media in their search for meaning, life and love. Good people commit to make the world a better place for everyone, unaware of the relevance of Jesus’ vision and the power of the Spirit.

A shrinking minority look to the churches for inspiration and encouragement.

Adult cooperation

Synodality, i.e. adult cooperation, is good. Pope Francis was determined to introduce it in the face of widespread deficiencies of listening, understanding and cooperation for the common good at all levels in the church.

As Catholics increasingly take responsibility for their spiritual growth, they want the accompaniment of informed, skilled mentors, people who listen, understand and encourage.

The wheels of life

They look for purpose in the relevance of the Christian message and values for living in the 21st century. As they take on agency in their spiritual lives, they seek a church that supports rather than prescribes.

They thrive on relationships of equality, where co-responsibility is differentiated on the basis of abilities, skills and respect, not on membership of a caste. Purpose, agency and relationships are the wheels of life. When these are clear, synodality, aka collaboration, will find traction and ordinary Catholics will re-engage.

• Kevin Liston is a Co-chair of ACCCR (Australasian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform), Convener of SACEC (SA Catholics for an Evolving Church), a State Council member of St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) and active in a local Vinnies conference. Following retirement, he completed a Master of Theological Studies at ACU and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Monash University. This article is written in a personal capacity.