Governance within the Catholic Church refers to the exercise of authority and responsibility by those entrusted with leadership. The Final Document of the Synod on Synodality points us to areas in which governance of the Church should be practiced in a more Synodal way.
- Effective access to positions of responsibility and leadership roles that do not require the Sacrament of Holy Orders for women and men who are not ordained, whether lay or consecrated.
- Exploring and developing forms of service and ministry that respond to pastoral needs in different contexts.
- The practice of ecclesial discernment and the activation of decision-making processes in a synodal way.
- Exploring and developing appropriate forms of transparency, accountability and evaluation.
- The obligation in dioceses and parishes to have participatory bodies provided for by law, and the renewal of their operating methods in a synodal key.
Good governance in the Catholic Church is characterised by transparency, accountability, subsidiarity, and collaboration among clergy and laity. This can be done through parish finance and pastoral councils, and the archdiocesan pastoral council. These models foster trust, encourage co-responsibility, and enable the Church to respond more effectively to contemporary challenges.
However, there are also obstacles to synodal governance which include:
- Clericalism and Hierarchical Power Structures: The traditional, monarchical exercise of power, where pastors feel they hold sole responsibility for mission, acts as a major barrier. This is often combined with a lack of transparency and accountability, which can inhibit the active, co-responsible participation of the
laity. - “Clericalism of the Laity”: A more subtle obstacle is the emergence of a “clericalism of the laity,” where some lay people approach participation and parish life as a way to gain influence, status, or power rather than for humble service.
- Lack of Genuine Listening/Dialogue: While synodality emphasizes listening, many still experience the Church as a place where they are not heard or are dismissed. This includes a reluctance to listen to marginalized groups, such as women and young people, or to opposing viewpoints.
- Resistance to Change (Inertia): Cultural inertia and fear of change exist within church structures, with many clinging to the status quo. Yet others harken back to some “golden age” of the Church and are unable or unwilling to see the presence of the Holy Spirit in the present moment.
- Polarisation and Ideological Agendas: The synodal process has been hindered by partisan polarization, with “traditionalists” and “progressives” often using the process to push specific agendas rather than engaging in true discernment.
