Synod on Synodality: A Sociological Analysis of its Participatory Methodology

Abstract

The volume, speed, and intensity of change taking place across all segments of society and the problems associated with them prompted Pope Francis, as the leader of the Catholic Church in the world, to search for ways of positioning the Church in order that it would be able to respond adequately to both existing and emerging challenges to the Church’s mission of evangelization. To this end, the Holy Father convoked the Synod comonly called the Synod on Synodality in order that the members of the Church – laity, religious, and clergy – may dialogue, discern and find common pastoral solutions to these problems. However, the methodology of the Synod was atypical. Rather than resorting mainly to the members of the clergy and to subject experts for solutions, the methodology of the Synod lays emphasis on gathering information from the lived experiences of the faithful, especially the laity. This approach is similar to the Participatory Action Research in the Social Sciences. This paper highlights the similarities between the methodology of the Synod on Synodality and the Participatory Action Research approach and argues for the need to deploy more social science research approaches in the processes of decision making in pastoral ministry. It also argues that pastors of souls must take into consideration the impact of social structures on the faith experience of the faithful. Without undermining the transcendental and individual dimensions of the gospel message, the paper calls for a greater appreciation of its human and social implications. As a way of improving an understanding of the impact of social structures on the faith experience of the faithful, the paper calls for the inclusion of a curriculum on pastoral sociology in the formation of pastoral agents.