Pope Francis was asked who could take part in the Synod on Synodality and famously replied, “Todos! Todos! Todos!” (“All! All! All!”).
His open invitation led to many around the world participating in the synodal process to discern where the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church in the 21st century.
Banner for equality
As Pope Francis recited the Angelus to a packed St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, We Are Church International (WAC) raised a banner for equality in support of the pope.
Within five minutes, the WAC group was surrounded by police, who ordered the banner to be taken down and detained seven members for up to four hours.
The banner was intended as an expression of support for Pope Francis and the synodal process.
Equality was a key topic at the Synod on Synodality, which the pope initiated in 2021.
Institutional resistance remains
This moment reveals again how the institutional Church remains controlled by a patriarchal monarchy.
Pope Francis has set out a roadmap to transform monarchy into a synodal structure.
Pope Leo XIV has confirmed he will continue along this synodal path.
Decentralisation and reform
The roadmap emphasises decentralisation, encouraging local communities, parishes, dioceses, and countries to introduce synodal reforms that are appropriate to their cultures.
This model aims to achieve unity in diversity, moving away from the old model of unity through uniformity.
A new pope for a synodal Church
Pope Leo XIV is an inspired choice to lead the Church at this time.
His commitment to dialogue, listening, and prayer aligns well with the synodal process.
His lived experience in both the Global South and North, as well as in the Vatican, impressed the cardinals who elected him.
He has appointed three women to work with him in the selection of new bishops.
Hopefully, he will include women in his Council of Cardinals and appoint women as cardinals themselves.
The grassroots of change
Still, the deepest source for reform remains the small Christian communities around the world, where equality is lived out daily.
Breaking the word and breaking bread in these communities brings Christ’s message into everyday life.
Through baptism, we are all one in Christ.
Equality in Christ
Christ supported equality by opening his message to all:
- Jew and Gentile
- Slave and free
- Female and male
- Lay and cleric
- Gay, straight and trans
- Married and single
Our institutional Church must also support and practise equality as a central principle of synodality.
- Colm Holmes is Chair of We are Church International”.
- Flashes of Insight is an international publication. The editorial policy is that spelling reflects the country of origin.