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Document Details : Title: 'Communion, Participation, Mission' Subtitle: Interchurch Families' Gifts of Discernment and Synodality for the Wider Church Author(s): WATKINS, Clare Journal: Marriage, Families & Spirituality Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Date: 2024 Pages: 21-34 DOI: 10.2143/INT.30.1.3293277 Abstract : As the Roman Catholic church worldwide continues to work to become more 'synodal', following the call of Pope Francis, this paper reflects on the particular gifts to synodality that interchurch families might bring. Despite the emphasis in the documents concerning synodality on the necessity of a diversity of voices, emphasising the need for ecumenical and 'less-churchy' perspectives to be included, these voices have proved difficult to include in synodal processes. Starting with the argument that interchurch families are sites of living faith which are already formed in many of the practices and virtues associated with synodality, the article then explores what particular lessons might be learned from such 'domestic churches' under the three key headings: Communion, Participation, and Mission. Under each heading particular insights from the sacramental and ecumenical lives of interchurch families are suggested, demonstrating what powerful and needed gifts such families might have for today’s synodal 'journeying together'. By way of conclusion, those families themselves are invited to deepen and strengthen the awareness of their own gifts, and voice them courageously in the synodal conversations. |
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