Spirituality: The Synod: October 10, 2024

 The Synod: October 10, 2024

 

As the Synod progresses, I thought I would give you an update on the demographics of the Cardinals-elect.

 

Overall

 

In 1983, Roman Law set the number of cardinals at a 120-person threshold, though each Pope has exceeded that number. Of the 141 cardinals under the age of 80, 111 will have been appointed by Pope Francis, 24 by Pope Benedict XVI, and six by Pope John Paul II.     

 

For the first time in history, a majority of the cardinals will be from outside of Europe. Contrast this reality with the election of 1939 when 89 percent of the cardinal-electors were European, and 56% of those cardinals were Italian.

 

Pope Francis is shifting the church to a worldwide communion and away from Europe where Catholicism has waned.

 

When Pope Francis was elected, 52% of those electors were European, and 24% from Italy. The make-up right now is 40% European and 11% Italian.

 

Asia has grown to 18% from 9%, and Africa is up to 13% from 9%.

The United States is down slightly to 7% from 9%.

 

Half of the new cardinals are from religious orders, with Franciscans getting 4 positions.

Nine of the new cardinals are members of the Synod on Synodality.

 

Information on the New Cardinals

 

The Dominican Timothy Radcliffe has been a key proponent of the synodal process initiated by Pope Francis and has led the Synod retreats. His appointment inflamed conservatives and mollified progressives.

 

The Archbishop of Peru is a disciple of Gustavo Gutiérrez, a leading proponent of liberation theology that was once dismissed by Pope John Paul II. 

 

Archbishop of Chile has been a leading advocate dealing with clerical sex abuse. He identifies as a “Palestinian descendant.”

 

The archbishop of Tokyo is president of Caritas International, the confederation of Catholic aid agencies, and has a pastoral presence.

The Filipino Archbishop was a prominent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, who responded by charging him with sedition, libel and obstruction of justice.

 

The Archbishop of Algiers wrote in favor of women deacons, “What seems unimaginable today will become natural tomorrow.”

 

The Archbishop of Turin is a respected theologian who dared to include a critique of Benedict XVI in a collection of essays on the pope’s theology. He argues that theology should “be of service to the concrete people of God and to their living faith and maintain a lively dialogue with the culture of the contemporary world.” This is in line with the thinking of Pope Francis.

 

The Archbishop of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome began cleaning up the financial mismanagement of the shrine. This was one of the first churches built to celebrate the Virgin Mary, after the Council of Ephesus in 431proclaimed Mary Mother of God.

 

Monsignor Koovakad has overseen the pope’s international travels.

 

The new cardinals appear to be pastors loyal to the vision of Pope Francis, but they are not just pastors, as many have doctorates in theology or biblical studies. 

 

 

The Responses from Various Groups

 

Many conservative Catholics are dismayed because they feel Pope Francis is not paying attention to the concerns of the West. They charge that he is giving minor dioceses and Catholic presences more weight and attention than the larger ones who have been faithful to the Church for a long time.

 

Many progressives are hoping that these changes will advance their causes of Catholic Socials teachings, and yet the places that are given more attention have a more traditional understanding of the faith than many in the West. Climate change is an existential threat and is getting additional needed attention.

 

The People of God have been moving away from churches in Western Europe, and many newer priests in the United States are trying to move back to a medieval expression of European Catholicism. The move to the peripheries will fundamentally alter the consciousness and identity of Catholics to become more culturally and liturgically diverse. Then changes will be upsetting for some and welcome for others. The Church will be recognized as a worldwide communion that welcomes dialogue with other faiths and traditions.

 

The complex world of today 

We are in a pluralistic world that is interrelated and threatened by war, famine, and global warming. We have made great strides in our understanding of physical and social science as well as human rights, including women’s rights.

 

Today, many Catholics have degrees in Theology and Scripture, and many people study Scripture, tradition, and church history. New approaches to theology have given rise to new ideas for solve old and new issues. The Second Vatican Council continues to unfold in unmistakable ways. The church is now able to have free discussion, and is in fact, encouraged to dialogue about issues that were once forbidden. The Holy Spirit seems to be roaming freely through the lives of the faithful.

 

Pope Francis preaches about synodality, and the canon lawyers are embedding synodal practices into law so that we have increased accountability and transparency. Church laws must change to further demand accountability. It is likely the parishes will be obliged to have parish councils and other management groups that will have shared discernment at the local level

 

Finally, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith calls for a new theological method “rooted in Tradition, but innovative and creative.” It calls for a “conversion of thought and reform of practices in contextual fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus.” It aims to have shared discernment of controversial doctrinal, pastoral and ethical issues.”

 

 

Sources: Religion News Service, Tom Reese, S.J.