Synod on Synodality is a “remodeling of the Church”: African Delegate at Meeting in Rome

For Fr. Orobator, the ongoing process of “remodeling” invites a deep reflection on the critical challenges faced by the Church, particularly in Africa.

He says that one of the common features of the Church in Africa is growth. 

He specifically highlights growth in membership, relevance, and significance, as well as challenges, adding, “There are critical issues around the economy and people's living standards, and the struggles they face.”

The immediate former President of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) acknowledges the “critical” challenges around violence and war in some African countries, as well as the challenges around the country’s political dysfunctionalities.

“These are challenges which synodality calls us to be attentive to. And the question then is, what is the Spirit trying to teach us as a church in these contexts where people live and work out their lives in Africa?” the Jesuit Priest says.

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“For me,” he continues, “synodality as a process is inviting us to be more attentive to the issues that matter for the people of God, and therefore become a community that is able to respond with passion and compassion to these crises.”

“I believe that starting with that penitential moment was quite significant because as a synodal missionary church, one of the things we're learning now is that it's a listening church,” Fr. Orobator says.

He emphasizes the importance of listening, saying, “It has to be a listening Church. But listening presupposes a willingness to be vulnerable, a willingness to be humble, and to realize that we're not exactly what we should be as a synodal church. There are mistakes, there are missteps, there are situations that remind us that this is a fragile community.”

“Within this community, people have been hurt. And within this community, we have hurt people. And therefore, it becomes important that we're able to acknowledge that as a starting point of remodeling the church into a community that not only listens but does so with humility,” Fr. Orobator says.

The Jesuit Catholic Priest notes that beyond the synod, the Church must continue to engage in ongoing conversations about crucial issues, including the roles of women and young people, decision-making processes, and forms of ministry. 

He envisions a synodal Church as one that creates spaces for open debate and welcomes all voices in the spirit of the Gospel. 

“As a Church, we don’t silence debates. We open up the space to create a big tent where all voices are heard. And there is space for everyone to voice their position, their opinion inspired, of course, by the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Fr. Orobator says in his reflection shared with ACI Africa. 

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.