Mary Lilly Driciru, MSMMC and Jjunju Francis
On October 17, 2021 after the launch in Rome, the Synod process is launched in each particular Church around the world and hence in all the Catholic Dioceses in Uganda.
The two-year process for Synod of Bishops is aimed at encouraging full participation of all Catholics estimated to be about 1.329 billion, according to the census of the 2020 Annuario Pontificio (Pontifical Year book).
Before the Synod in 2023, all Catholics are required to participate by presenting their views over various issues. Launching the process in Uganda, Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthony Zziwa the current Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda Mityana presided over the event on behalf of the Catholic Bishops in the country. The launch opens the consultation phase that will end in April 2022 with the sole objective of consulting the people of God.
In the second phase (Continental level), the episcopal conferences will gather all diocesan views and synthesize them for the national assembly and to send to Rome, out of which the General Secretariat of the Synod will produce the working document, Instrumentum Laboris in Latin. This would be ready before September 2022. This working document will be sent to the different continents. From September 22- March 2023 the document will guide to generate dialogue and discernment.
The third phase (Universal Church phase) runs from October 2023. At this level, the General Secretariat in Rome sends the working document to participants of the General Assembly of Synod of Bishops, thus, marking the conclusive phase.
Bishop Zziwa said persons appointed to the Synod consultations preparation committee must work to the expectations of Church and reach out to all people right from the grass root, family and the basic Christian Community. He also acknowledged the contribution of the media in Uganda in as far as dissemination of the Gospels is concerned and appreciated the media for their extensive coverage and for publicizing the event.
The Synod of Bishops refer to the group of Bishops, who are chosen from different regions of the world to participate to foster unity between the Roman Pontiff and the Bishops. It assists the Pontiff and the council in safeguarding, increasing faith, morals, and preserving, strengthening ecclesial discipline, the prelate explained.
“It is the role of the Bishops to discuss the questions on the agenda and to express their opinions but NOT to resolve them unless deemed or delegated to do so; otherwise the Pope ratifies the decisions,” the Bishop added.
Pope Francis clarified that “The Synod is not a parliament or an investigation of opinions but an ecclesial moment, guided by the Holy Spirit to strengthen the Catholic Church.”Accordingly, this Synod is unique and all-encompassing as all Christians united by baptism are called to journey together as participants not observers in the life and ministry of the church. The various entities are urged to listen to one another, discern and contribute to the church’s mission of evangelization.