Synod – A few thoughts.

Synod – A few thoughts.
Brendan Butler
At a recent press conference in Rome by Archbishop Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the promotion of the new Evangelisation, stated that he saw ‘hope for the Irish Church’ especially in the ‘great participation of the laity in the Irish Church‘.
However this recognition is mere rhetoric and sounds very hollow judging by the non-selection of any lay married person to represent the challenges facing Irish families in their day to day struggles in living out their Christian commitment in the forthcoming Synod of the family in Rome.
In all the other national representative groups to attend the Synod there are Catholic family people. Why the absence for Ireland?
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin as Vice president of the Irish Bishops’ Conference will represent the Bishops and Sister Margaret Muldoon of the Holy Family of Bordeaux will be the sole ‘auditor’ representing Irish families. Indeed the Latin word ‘auditor ‘is a suitable word for the lay observers with its emphasis solely on listening. It is also significant that no Irish priest has been selected.
The clerical secrecy surrounding the selection of observers to the Synod is at total variance with Pope Francis’ call for a more inclusive Church.
Indeed the composition of the Synod is further skewed in favour of the status quo or even a backward lunge by the inclusion of the Curia Cardinals. Can anyone imagine the courage it would take for a Bishop seeking change to stand up to the power and status of a Cardinal Mueller and his fellow Cardinals at such a Synod.
Unless the Holy Spirit acts like a Samson at this Synod then there is little hope for such Synods to bring about the necessary renewal and reform to speak to a new generation looking for enlightenment and hope.