When opening the Synod of Bishops in 2021, Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would “inspire new tongues and place words of life on our lips, to keep us from becoming a ‘museum Church’: beautiful but mute, with much past and little future.”

Nearly five years later, his next petition seems even more striking: that the synodal experience “not lose our enthusiasm, dilute the power of prophecy, or descend into useless and unproductive discussions.”

An unintentional prophet?

Was Francis also being unintentionally prophetic?

As John Warhurst has recently observed, the outcomes of the Australian Plenary Council already risk becoming relics.

Synodality is alive in some dioceses, but nationally the uptake is undeniably patchy. There is no need to prepare a museum exhibit just yet, but neither is there cause to build a hall of fame.

Why the reluctance?

Why the hesitation to embrace a papal initiative so clearly reinforced — not only by Francis, but explicitly by Pope Leo XIV?

The subject of an intense Synod with clergy and laity, women and men, from every region represented, with global contribution. The outcome summarised in a readable Final Document signed off by Pope Francis.

Yet many are frustrated by the thin explanations offered for this inertia, and by the lack of action where it is most needed.

Back off — or go differently?

Given that many Plenary Council resolutions now lie dormant in the Roman catacombs, should we retreat from promoting synodality?

Or consider a different strategy?

If synodality is, in part, an antidote to clericalism, is it realistic to expect the hierarchical custodians of clerical culture to be its most energetic champions?

Perhaps not.

Grassroot lessons

The Plenary Council preparations offer an important insight.

Parish-level conversations, listening sessions, and submissions from communities across Australia created a genuine experience of shared discernment. They demonstrated that the People of God are capable of engaging synodally — and that they hunger for fundamental changes.

This suggests a complementary path.

While episcopal leadership remains essential, we need not wait passively for synodality to “trickle down.” It can — and should — be cultivated at the parish level.

Synodality will have achieved its greatest heights when it reaches even beyond parish to our homes and daily practice.

This is not a new idea. Pope Francis has called for local churches to be involved “in all the different phases of synodality and from the bottom up.”

The Final Document positively includes local church but more especially adoption of the process throughout every parish.

Facing the obstacles

Resistance will arise: discomfort with the word itself, fear of change, and concern about adding “one more thing” to parish life.

These reactions must be managed with patience and clarity. Since we are talking about a synodal process, not a new standalone program, they should not be major obstacles.

Formation is essential, pastor support enlisted and parish councils primed to take the running.

The council should adopt synodality as its mode of operation, share the approach with the broader parish and arrange formation sessions.

An authoritative guide, Leadership after the Synod by Anne Benjamin and Charles Burford, is planned for release in a couple of months — complete with history, analysis and discussion points.

After 5 years of talking and listening let’s walk the walk.

• Justin Stanwix is an active permanent deacon in the Diocese of Wollongong, Australia. After 40 years in commercial law practice he was ordained deacon. He has a love for liturgy and especially for its artful practise dating from Vatican II deliberations. He presents and writes on current Church topics including for some years in La Croix International. Justin has a commitment to synodal layout of church interiors and the way we assemble for Eucharist.