The future of the church: Synodal changes bring new hope!

The future of the church: Synodal changes bring new hope!

Linz, Österreich - The Catholic Church faces a revolutionary turn, which is referred to by the theologian Klara-Antonia Csiszar as a "gamuchanger". According to a recent interview with Kathpress, Rome's “church assembly” scheduled for 2028 could fundamentally redesign the synodal process. In this new era, a stronger role of laypersons in liturgy and pastoral care is planned, which ensures more responsibility in the local churches. The structure of the previous bishop's synod could also change and orientate closer to the concepts of a church council, as Csiszar explains. This last seems to be a crucial step in the creation of a community within the church in which the voices of all believers are heard.

In the evaluation of the final document of the world synod, Csiszar emphasizes that it is not just about the role of women in the church, but also about comprehensive equality of all laypersons. These extensive changes require a national strategy so that the implementation of the new requirements in Austria is coordinated and achieved in a targeted manner. It is crucial that the Bishops' Conference, together with a national synod team, clarifies which focuses should be implemented until when. The goal is to create oases of freedom and openness within the communities in which all people are welcome and can actively contribute, she continued. Here, the creative handling of the lived forms of synodality is of central importance.

a new chapter for the church

csiszar sees the current developments as the key to promoting more lively and more inclusive communities that contribute to better cooperation in society. While the church is looking for ways to bridge its misunderstanding with the saints, the hope that the implementation of the synodality principles will take on the world. Csiszar emphasizes that the final document of the synod is not just a recommendation, but an integral part of the ordinary teaching position. It is therefore certainly inconceivable to stop the process, even with regard to the health challenges of Pope Francis.

More about the far-reaching views of Klara-Antonia Csiszar and the ongoing synodal processes can be found in the reports of Kathpress and katholisch.at .