European Synodality Conference discusses baptism, listening and leadership

The European conference on synodality—a spiritual and theological forum—brought together Churches from all corners of the continent, and interpreted social developments in the light of the Gospel. Pastoral theologian Klara-Antonia Csiszar, Vice-Rector of the Catholic Private University Linz and head of its Department of Synodality, said the European Church Forum also connected experiences from local Churches and explored new forms of synodal cooperation.

The three-day event, “Shaping Synodality in Europe,” brought together 187 participants from 31 countries stretching from Portugal and Iceland to Ukraine at Schloss Puchberg, an educational centre near Wels—a city near Linz. In 21 table groups, participants worked with the “Conversations in the Spirit” method used during the Synod on Synodality, placing particular emphasis on listening, personal experience and spiritual discernment. Each of the three days began and ended with liturgies and prayers. The final prayer was led by Frère Matthew, Prior of the Taizé Community.

The keynote theological presentations highlighted different dimensions of a synodal Church. The Prague theologian Tomáš Halík described the secularization of Europe as an ambivalent process. It has weakened the Church’s influence and the transmission of faith, but at the same time it has promoted freedom of conscience and broken the close ties between religion and political power. For Christianity, therefore, the loss of social privileges could also represent a process of purification and lead the Church towards a more dialogue-oriented presence in a pluralistic society. Gabriele Eder-Cakl used pastoral examples from various countries to illustrate how Europe’s Churches are responding to migration, ecumenism, digital ways of life and the growing number of young people seeking baptism.

On the third working day, Jesuit theologian Christoph Theobald emphasized the equal dignity of all baptized people as a theological foundation for shared responsibility in a synodal Church. Canon lawyer Myriam Wijlens examined the concrete implications of this baptismal dignity for leadership and decision-making processes. Wijlens also pointed to existing provisions in canon law that allow for greater participation by lay people and women in Church leadership.