To the bishops responsible for ecumenism in the Bishops' Conferences and Synods
Eminence,
Excellence,
On October 9, 2021, the Catholic Church inaugurated an unprecedented synodal process entitled «For a synodal Church: communion, participation, mission». This process, which began in all dioceses on October 17, will conclude in October 2023 with the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. With this letter, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) and the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops (SGSE) are pleased to offer some practical suggestions for ensuring the ecumenical dimension of the synodal journey, which begins with an initial phase in each local church. «Dialogue between Christians of different denominations, united by a single baptism, occupies a special place in the synodal journey» (Synod Vademecum 5.3.7). Indeed, both synodality and ecumenism are processes that invite us to «walk together». Firstly, if «a synodal Church is a listening Church» (Pope Francis, October 17, 2015), this listening should concern the totality of those who bear the name of Christian, since all the baptized participate to some degree in the sensus fidei (cf. International Theological Commission, The sensus fidei in the life of the Church, 2014, 56). Second,
In an understanding of ecumenism as an «exchange of gifts», one of the gifts Catholics can receive from other Christians is precisely their experience and understanding of synodality (cf. Evangelii Gaudium 246). Thirdly, the synodal organization of the Catholic Church at all levels has significant ecumenical implications, making it a more credible partner in dialogue. Finally, the synodal process itself is an opportunity to foster ecumenical relations at all levels of the Church, since the participation of ecumenical delegates has become a regular practice, not only at the Synod of Bishops but also in diocesan synods...