In a conversation Friday evening in the audience hall at the Vatican, about 140 university students from North America spoke directly with leading figures in the synod about the future of the church and its synodal process. Their questions revolved around youth participation, interfaith dialogue and the preservation of church traditions.
Linda Bordoni and Mario Calcano – Vatican City
On Friday evening, about 140 university students, mainly from North America, met in Paul VI Hall. To speak with key figures of the Synod at the Vatican. The “University Students Conversation with Synod Leaders” event gave young people the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to the Synod Leaders. Cardinal Mario GrechSynod General Secretary, Cardinal Jean-Claude HollerichA relative of the Synod, Sr. Leticia SalazarChancellor of the Diocese of San Bernardino, and Bishop Daniel Flores From the Diocese of Brownsville, South Texas.
The roundtable reflected the second session of the Synod and included Pope Francis’ vision of leading the Church on a common path of listening and engagement. Asia ChanA student from Trinidad and Tobago asked the first question, expressing difficulties expressing her faith in a foreign culture. He asked how the church can ensure that more voices are heard in the future.
Meeting with young people at the World Synod of Bishops
Most people asked
Cardinal Grech acknowledged the challenge and explained that the synodal process in its current form has an unprecedented level of participation. “Of the 114 bishops’ conferences, only 80 participated in the family synod. This time 112 people submitted their report – this shows that a large part of the population was heard.” He emphasized that more than 20,000 people participated in the synodal process via digital platforms, and the goal is to expand this participation further. Citing the need to take into account not only opinions, but also the guidance of the Holy Spirit, listening is fundamental. The cardinal clarified.
AlexandraA Venezuelan student asked why young people who are not active in the church should be interested in synodal activity. Cardinal Hollerich He emphasized that synodality is an antidote to the polarization that divides many communities. “A dissenter is not an enemy; We are part of one humanity,” he said. The Church can show the world that synodality can create spaces where people can respectfully interact with each other to find solutions to global issues such as peace and environmental justice.
The mission of the church will not be undermined
Sondra From San Francisco expressed concerns that the emphasis on personal experiences in the synodal process could undermine fidelity to Church tradition. Bishop Flores He assured that synodality would not undermine the work of the Church to proclaim the Gospel. He acknowledged that it was challenging to take other opinions into account, but stressed that it was important to better understand the reality people live in. “The church has been in chaos for 2,000 years, but the Spirit has held it together,” he said.
JosephA student from New Orleans asked how the synod could translate its deliberations into concrete action. Sr. Leticia Salazar The synod emphasized the transformative nature of the process, which contributes to the renewal of the Church. He hoped the students would take the experiences they had in Rome to their home communities to bring synodality to life. “It’s a way to discover Jesus in others,” she explained. “It is not an abstract idea, but a general search for God’s will.”
Know the reality of people’s lives
Fabio He asked how seminaries and theological schools from El Salvador could promote synodality. Bishop Flores He stressed the need for the church to know the realities of the lives of the people it wants to serve. Cardinal Grech Seminaries should be reconsidered from a synodal perspective and urged students to actively participate in this process.
Last question Mika From Cincinnati, he asked about the role of the laity in interfaith dialogue. Cardinal Hollerich In Japan he reported on his experiences teaching students of various religions. Synodality offers a unique opportunity to address global challenges such as social and environmental justice and is an example of how religions can contribute together to humanity.
The Mosaic Gift
At the end of the event, students presented a mosaic symbolizing the questions and prayers raised during the conversation. Each group member was invited to contribute a prayer that expressed hope for a synodal and listening church.
The dialogue event highlighted that the synod is not only a place for bishops and clergy, but also for the voices of young people who want to actively participate in shaping the future of the Church. Cardinal O’Malley Finally said: “We have not yet achieved all of our goals, but we will continue to push for reforms. Our efforts are a symbol of hope and solidarity for victims of abuse and their families.
(Vatican News)