THE NOTION OF SYNODALITY FROM THE ANCIENT CHURCH

Abstract

With the recent call by the Holy Father, Pope Francis for dioceses to convene synods on synodality, inviting all members of the church to journey together, it is pertinent to take a look at some of the early synods or councils in the ancient church. This will in no little way help in the understanding and appreciation of the intention of the Pope. The terms ‘synod’ and ‘council’ were used interchangeably in the early church to represent the gathering of bishops, sometimes with experts and sometimes without. These gatherings were in a way an expression of what the church truly is, that is, the gathering of a people called together by God. In this article I hope to use the synods and councils in the ancient church to buttress the fact that the church by her very nature is synodal and that these gatherings were very helpful in the resolution of issues. I hope to achieve this goal through an historical analysis and discussion of the early synods and councils of the ancient church. These gatherings that started quite naturally in the ancient church, were means of rubbing minds on issues affecting the church and proffering solutions to such issues.