The word “silent” may be an anagram of “listen,” but many Catholics feel the Church has confused the two. In today’s Church, silence too often looks like avoidance—especially when those most in need of being heard are ignored.

American Catholicism’s alignment with cultural conservatism and nationalism shapes its theology, prioritising doctrinal clarity and moral absolutism. These positions often intertwine with right‑wing ideologies, sparking criticism from those who see faith becoming a tool of exclusion rather than inclusion.

The next chapter of church history depends on more than leadership titles. It calls for shared conviction among laypeople, clergy and religious alike, embracing Francis’ synodal vision and ensuring that Pope Leo XIV is supported by a generation ready to act.

Celebrations now integrate natural materials like water, flowers and stones, with some communities worshipping outdoors under trees. These gestures revive the sense of creation as the Church’s first cathedral, linking worship directly to the earth.

Catholics now form digital faith communities that offer security, belonging, and global connection. These networks often feel more pastoral than traditional parishes and can encourage spiritual migration based on preference rather than presence.

A serious examination of Church practices and power structures is overdue. Only with an honest review can it genuinely promote the rights of women and those long marginalised.

Bringing culture into the liturgy isn’t about imitation but integration. As workshops unfold across Fiji, local leaders ask how to celebrate the Roman Rite without losing the vanua—their sense of place, people and belonging.

The time for waiting is over. If we say we are listening, we must act. Synodality won’t flourish through delay or indecision. Local parishes need to embrace what can be changed and stop waiting for permission to live out this new ecclesial vision.

A grandmother envisions her descendants laughing one day at the idea women were once excluded from Church leadership. But in 2025, the thought of a female Pope is still unthinkable, even as a symbolic list of “papabile” women emerges from the grassroots.

Chaos, chatter, and disrespect marred a previous parish’s Communion Mass. It became a turning point for one priest, who sought guidance from a seasoned colleague and never looked back.