Synodality in Perspective: Traditions Past and Present

This online symposium series is being organized by the American Cusanus Society, Nova Forum and the Lumen Christi Institute. Additional Cosponsors include Commonweal, America Media, St. Anselm Institute for Catholic Thought and the Collegium Institute. 

Participation and Registration | All are invited to participate. To attend, please register online. Registration links are provided by each session and date below. Each session will be a dialogue with a moderator hosting a conversation between two scholars.

About the Series | In light of Pope Francis’ call for global Catholic communities to enter into a two-year process on synodality, this six-part series will examine both the history of synods and the current dialogue around the future of synodality in the Church. This series is an opportunity to learn more about the topic in advance of the October 2023 Rome summit, “For a Synodal Church.” Pope Francis is inviting the entire Church to reflect on “this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium,” an important part of the Church’s own process to achieving participation and living out mission.

Some of the questions in this online series include:

• What was the history of synods in the early church?

• What should Catholics expect from the Synod itself next year?

• What synodality models emerged from the Second Vatican Council?

• What are the roots of Pope Francis’ appeal to synodality?

• What can Roman Catholics learn from Eastern Catholic traditions?

SCHEDULE

Session 1. Synodality in the Ancient Church 

Tuesday, September 6, 7:00 PM CST 

  Moderator: Nathan Tilley, Dumbarton Oaks

1. Robin Darling Young, Catholic University of America

2. Christopher Bellitto, Kean University

Session 2. Synodality and Medieval Reform

Thursday, September 15, 5:00 PM CST

   Moderator: Christopher Bellitto, Kean University

1. Margaret Meserve, Notre Dame

2. Rick Serina, Concordia Seminary

Session 3. Synodality and the Roots of Vatican II

Monday, September 19, 5:00 PM CST 

   Moderator: Kathy Sprows Cummings, Notre Dame

1. Shaun Blanchard, National Institute for Newman Studies

2. Kristin Colberg, St. John’s School of Theology

Session 4. Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Christians: Contexts and Dialogue

Tuesday, October 4, 7:00 PM CST 

   Moderator: Aristotle Papanikolaou, Fordham University

1. Jaisy Joseph, Villanova University

2. Cyril Hovorun, Sankt Ignatius Theological Academy

Session 5. Pope Francis’ Vision of a Synodal Church: CELAM and Ignatian tradition

Tuesday, October 18, 4:00 PM CST 

   Moderator: Peter Casarella, Duke Divinity School

1. Maria Clara Bingemer, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

2. Austen Ivereigh, Campion Hall, Oxford University

Session 6. The Synod of 2023: Process and Prospects

Tuesday, October 25, 12:00 PM CST 

   Moderator: Peter Casarella, Duke Divinity School

1. Bishop Oscar Cantú (San Jose, CA)

2. Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, Under-Secretary, General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops