(A) The first reason is simple: when I wanted to translate the Document of the Congregation of Doctrine (2018) “Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church”, I found it impossible to translate the adjective “synodal” and “Synodality”, which is the abstract word, derived from synod.
The document details how important synods have been in the history of the Church.
Synods are the primary instrument by which the hierarchy provides the magisterium that ensures the continuation of the Sacred Tradition.
I am faced with two different meanings, one comes from the etymology of the word ‘synod’ (walking together) and the other comes from the historical reality of ‘Synods’ in the life of the Church.
How can one express the two very different meanings with the same word?
The solution I dare to suggest could be: to reserve the expression “the principle of Synodality” to when we speak of the reality of Synods; while, when we want to express the meaning of “a Church of people who walk together”, we simply use the word “participation”, or “active participation”, or “spirit of active participation”.
(B) The other reason is more important: it is dangerous when the word “Synodality” is used to signify only the journeying together of Church and no reference is made of the historical reality of synods, thus denying the importance of the synods.
Worse still, when the recent synod exploited the name of the synod to change the core beliefs of traditional doctrine.
If this recently concluded synod had been truly interested in encouraging greater participation, as the documents of the secretariat wanted us to understand, it should have insisted on the Formation of the People of God (as our diocese of Hong Kong did), which Formation must be based especially on the “Lumen Gentium” (the Constitution of the Church) of Vatican II, the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” and the above mentioned Document of the Congregation of Doctrine (2018).
P.S. If any faithful would like to have a copy of the Document of the Congregation of Doctrine (2018) in Chinese, please write to my secretary “Ms. Teresa Fung, Archives Office, 1/F., Block C, Caritas House, 2-8 Caine Road, Hong Kong.” (please state clearly your mailing address)
November 16