Speaking at a retreat on 30th September to launch the second session of the Synod on Synodality, Radcliffe emphasised the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit and avoiding the temptation to cling to either the past or to radical reform.

Addressing the 368 synod members gathered at the Vatican for a two-day retreat, Radcliffe urged honesty, telling them that the "indestructible peace" given by the risen Christ "does not mean that we live in perfect harmony.

"We are gathered in this assembly because we do not.

"But no discord can destroy our peace in Christ for we are one in him."

The retreat aimed to prepare members for the month-long synod, focusing on fostering a missionary and synodal Church.

Radcliffe's message was clear: the Synod is not a forum for negotiating structural change. However, it is a space for spiritual conversion, forgiveness and choosing life.

Radcliffe urged participants to move beyond their entrenched positions and embrace a spirit of mutual dependence and humility.

Doubts anything will be achieved

Reflecting on the biblical story of Mary Magdalene, John and Peter searching for Jesus in the empty tomb, Radcliffe acknowledged the doubts some synod members feel about the potential impact of their discussions.

"Since the last assembly" he said, "so many people, including participants in this synod, have expressed their doubts as to whether anything is going to be achieved.

"Like Mary Magdalene, some say ‘Why have they taken away our hope? We expected so much from the synod, but perhaps there will be just more words'."

Despite these uncertainties, Radcliffe emphasised that every member has a role to play in the "dawning of hope" and the diversity of perspectives within the Church should not be seen as a threat but as a source of strength.

Benedictine Mother Maria Ignazia Angelini, a spiritual adviser to the Synod, reinforced Radcliffe's call for prayer and reflection.

She urged members to anchor their discussions in prayer and in awe before the Eucharist.

Radcliffe concluded by cautioning synod members against allowing fear to guide their deliberations, whether that fear stems from a desire to protect traditions or a longing for radical transformation.

"Perfect love drives out fear.

"Let it drive out the fear of those whose visions of the Church are different" Radcliffe said, reminding them that the Church belongs to God and remains in His hands.

Sources

America Magazine

CathNews New Zealand

Pope Francis selected the 78-year-old priest and friar to lead a retreat last October for the 363 members of the Synod assembly just before they began their deliberation on synodality and the future of the Catholic Church.

The theme he chose for that retreat was "Hope against all hope".

How would you define hope?

Timothy Radcliffe: During the general chapters of the Dominican Order to which I belong, we have always noticed a fascinating difference between "Latin" and "Anglo-Saxon" cultures.

Latin cultures generally begin a discussion by defining terms. We Anglo-Saxons find it more fruitful to let the full meaning of words emerge gradually.

So, I am delighted that you are faithful to your French cultural heritage!

And, out of courtesy, I must propose something: for a Christian, hope consists of believing that we will attain the fullness of the happiness we aspire to, namely God.

During the retreat you gave last October to the members of the Synod assembly you meditated on the phrase "Hope against all hope". Isn't that a bit crazy, reckless, and audacious to hope against all hope?

On the contrary, I would say it would be strange - even crazy - NOT to hope for this infinite happiness. Human beings are sometimes touched by the thirst for limitless, unconditional love.

If we reject this as an illusion, then we are saying that at the core of our humanity, there is deception.

I believe that this profound human thirst for infinite happiness, which we all feel at times, is the most real thing there is.

To hope for it is to live in the real world. Children know this. I hope that education does not destroy this hope, which is the secret core of our humanity.

The world is currently being shaken by conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine. How can one not be worried and affected by this climate of war? One cannot remain indifferent...

Of course not!

It would be scandalous to remain indifferent. The difficulty is that we so often see violence in the media that it is easy to escape its reality and think that all of this is just a game, as if the world's wars were harmless baseball games.

If only we could catch a glimpse of the true horror of war, we would weep deeply and strive for peace.

I saw a video of a young Russian soldier being hunted by a drone. He realized it was the end and shot himself in the mouth. I cried for an hour.

The reasons to worry are also related to the climate crisis. Can humanity still save our planet?

That deserves a very long answer! I would simply say that one of the causes of our destructive behavior is the myth that we must pursue endless growth. That is an illusion. We need a new model of a healthy economy.

The second problem is that politics and business focus on the short term - the next elections, the year-end financial report. To get elected, politicians are forced to promise what they cannot deliver. Every politician is therefore a failed messiah.

In Britain, at least, the major political parties always insist that the other party is not trustworthy.

So, it's not surprising that we are witnessing the rise of authoritarian regimes.

We certainly need a renewal of responsible local democracy, in which we are trained in mutual responsibility.

How do we avoid fear in a world gripped by violence?

It is natural to be afraid in a dangerous world. Courage does not consist of not being afraid but of not being a prisoner of fear.

Some of the bravest people I know are those who are afraid but still do what needs to be done.

I think of a Canadian Dominican, Yvon Pomerleau, who dared to return to Rwanda during the genocide at the risk of his life. The army came to our community to look for him: all the brothers had to lie on the ground, interrogated to reveal his whereabouts. He told me that he was there, trembling with fear, but he did not run away. That is true courage.

The Dominican theologian Herbert McCabe said, "If you love, you will be hurt and even killed. If you don't love, you are already dead."

Yes, we will be hurt, but the risen Lord appeared to the disciples and showed them his wounds. We are the brothers and sisters of our wounded Lord, and our wounds are a sign that we dared to live and share his hope.

How can we trust in the face of an uncertain future?

"Trust" is a beautiful word. It literally means "to believe together" - con-fidens in Latin. We do not hope alone but in the community of faith.

When I have doubts, another person may have the confidence to support me.

When they lose hope, I may be able to help them.

So, the more perilous the future, the more urgent it is for us to seek the common good together and not to lock ourselves into our own survival.

Is placing one's trust in God a refuge or an escape?

I have had the great privilege of living with people like Blessed Pierre Claverie, who was martyred in Algeria in 1996. He devoted his life to dialogue with his Muslim friends. He knew he was going to be killed, but he faced the future with confidence in God, and he gave us, his brothers, sisters, and friends, confidence.

I also think of Albert Nolan, a Dominican who courageously fought against apartheid at the risk of his life in South Africa.

It is also so encouraging to live with people who face terrible diseases and ultimately death with courage and joy.

Where can we find hope? From prayer? Meeting others? Reading the Gospel?

Everything can contribute to it! Saint Oscar Romero was afraid of dying, but he was not defeated by that fear because he was a man of deep and silent prayer with the Lord. It was the foundation of his life. Everything he said stemmed from it.

With our closest friends, we can be silent and thus speak more deeply and be led to an even deeper silence. Some of my most precious memories are moments spent with friends in silence, in the presence of beauty, perhaps with a glass in hand!

What are your New Year's resolutions?

I would like to listen to more music.

I am convinced that music is essential in our search for peace and harmony. It opens the door to transcendence.

My life has often been a frantic race, where I tried to do a hundred things. I should devote more time to music.

It is also good preparation for eternity, which is probably not so far away!

Source

• First published in La-Croix International. Republished with permission.

I am old - white - a Westerner - and a man! I don't know which is worse! All of these aspects of my identity limit my understanding. So I ask for your forgiveness for the inadequacy of my words.

We are all radically incomplete and need each other. Karl Barth, the great Protestant theologian, wrote of the Catholic ‘both/ and.'
For example, Scripture and tradition, faith and works.

He is said to have called it the ‘damned Catholic "And"', ‘das verdammte katholische "Und"'.

So when we listen to each other during the coming weeks and disagree, I pray we shall often say, ‘Yes, and…..' Rather than ‘No'! That is the Synodal way.

Of course, No is also sometimes necessary!

"In the second reading at Mass today, St Paul says to the Philippians: ‘Complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing'. (Philippians 2.2).

We are gathered here because we are not united in heart and mind.

The vast majority of people who have taken part in the synodal process have been surprised by joy. For many, it is the first time that the Church has invited them to speak of their faith and hope.

But some of us are afraid of this journey and of what lies ahead.

Some hope that the Church will be dramatically changed, that we shall take radical decisions, for example about the role of women in the Church. Others are afraid of exactly these same changes and fear that they will only lead to division, even schism.

Some of you would prefer not to be here at all.

A bishop told me that he prayed not to be chosen to come here. His prayer was granted! You may be like the son in today's gospel who at first does not want to go to the vineyard, but he goes!

At crucial moments in the gospels, we always hear these words: ‘Do not be afraid.'

St John tells us ‘Perfect love casts out fear.'

So let us begin by praying that the Lord will free our hearts from fear. For some this is the fear of change and for others the fear that nothing will change.But ‘the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.[1]''

Of course, we all have fears, but Aquinas taught us that courage is refusing to be enslaved by fear. May we always be sensitive to the fears of others, especially those with whom we disagree.

Like Abraham, we leave not knowing where we are going (Hebrews 11.8). But if we free our hearts of fear, it will be wonderful beyond our imagination.

To guide us during this retreat, we shall meditate on the Transfiguration.

This is the retreat Jesus gives to his closest disciples before they embark on the first synod in the life of the Church, when they walk together (syn-hodos) to Jerusalem.

This retreat was needed because they were afraid of this journey they must make together.

Until now they have wandered around the north of Israel. But at Caesarea Philippi, Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ.

Then Jesus invites them to go with him to Jerusalem, where he will suffer, die and be raised from the dead. They cannot accept this. Peter tries to prevent him.

Jesus calls him ‘Satan', ‘enemy'. The little community is paralysed. So Jesus takes them up the mountain. Let us listen to St Mark's account of what happened.

"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.

"And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

"Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

"He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

"Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"

"Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus." (9.2 - 8).

This retreat gives them the courage and hope to set off on their journey. It does not always go well.

They immediately fail to free the young lad from the evil spirit. They quarrel about who is the greatest. They misunderstand the Lord. But they are on their way with a fragile hope.

So we too prepare for our synod by going on retreat where, like the disciples, we learn to listen to the Lord.

When we set off in three days' time, we shall often be like those disciples, and misunderstand each other and even quarrel. But the Lord will lead us onwards towards the death and resurrection of the Church.

Let us ask the Lord to give us hope too: the hope that this synod will lead to a renewal of the Church and not division; the hope that we shall draw closer to each other as brothers and sisters.

This is our hope not just for the Catholic Church but for all our baptised brothers and sisters. People talk of an ‘ecumenical winter'. We hope for an ecumenical spring.

We also gather in hope for humanity.

The future looks grim. Ecological catastrophe threatens the destruction of our home. Wildfires and floods have devoured the world this summer. Small islands begin to disappear under the sea.

Millions of people are on the road fleeing from poverty and violence. Hundreds have drowned in the Mediterranean not far from here. Many parents refuse to bring children into a world that appears doomed. In China, young people wear T-shirts saying, ‘We are the last generation'.

Let us gather in hope for humanity, especially hope for the young.

I don't know how many parents we have at the Synod, but thank you for cherishing our future.

After a difficult time in South Sudan, on the frontier with the Congo, I flew back to Britain beside a child who screamed without interruption for eight hours.

I am ashamed to confess that I had murderous thoughts! But what more marvelous priestly ministry than to raise children and seek to open their minds and hearts to the promise of life.

Parents and teachers are ministers of hope. Read more

• Father Timothy Radcliffe, OP, is an English Catholic priest and Dominican friar who served as master of the Order of Preachers from 1992 to 2001. This is Part 1 of the reflection he shared with those about to attend the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which began yesterday.

But from the beginning, in almost every document of the New Testament, we see the disciples divided, quarrelling, excommunicating each other. We are gathered in this Synod because we too are divided and hope and pray for unity of heart and mind.

This should be our precious witness in a world which is torn apart by conflict and inequality. The Body of Christ should embody that peace which Jesus promised and for which the world longs.

Yesterday I looked at two sources of division: Our conflicting hopes and different visions of the Church as home.

But there is no need for these tensions to tear us apart; We are bearers of a hope beyond hope, and the spacious home of the Kingdom in which the Lord tells us there are ‘many dwelling places' (John 14.1).

Of course not every hope or opinion is legitimate.

But orthodoxy is spacious and heresy is narrow. The Lord leads his sheep out of the small enclosure of the sheepfold into the wide-open pastures of our faith. At Easter, he will lead them out of the small locked room into the unbounded vastness of God, ‘God's plenty[1]'.

So let us listen to him together. But how?

A German bishop was concerned by ‘the biting tone' during their synodal discussions. He said they had been ‘more like a rhetorical exchange of verbal blows" than an orderly debate.'[2]

Of course, orderly rational debates are necessary. As a Dominican, I could never deny the importance of reason! But more is needed if we are to reach beyond our differences.

The sheep trust the voice of the Lord because it is that of a friend. This Synod will be fruitful if it leads us into a deeper friendship with the Lord and with each other.

On the night before he died, Jesus addressed the disciples who were about to betray, deny, and desert him, saying: ‘I call you friends.' (John 15.15).

We are embraced by the healing friendship of God which unlocks the doors of the prisons we create for ourselves.

"The invisible God speaks to men and women as friends" (Vatican II, Dei Verbum, 2). He opened the way into the eternal friendship of the Trinity.

This friendship was offered to his disciples, to tax collectors and prostitutes, to lawyers and foreigners. It was the first taste of the Kingdom.

Both the Old Testament and classical Greece and Rome considered such friendships impossible. Friendship was only between the good.

Friendship with the wicked was considered impossible. As Psalm 26 says, ‘I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked' (v23).

The bad do not have friendships since they only collaborate for evil deeds. But our God was always inclined to shocking friendships. He loved Jacob the trickster; and David, the murderer and adulterer; and Solomon the idolater.

Also, friendship was only possible between equals. But grace lifts us up into the divine friendship. Aquinas says solus Deus deificat, ‘only God can make us godlike.'[i]

Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels, who are signs of the unique friendship that God has for each of us. The Holy Father said on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, ‘No one journeys alone and no one should think that they are alone[3]'.

As we journey, we are each embraced by the divine friendship.

Preaching the gospel is never just communicating information.

It is an act of friendship. A hundred years ago, Vincent McNabb OP said, ‘Love those to whom you preach. If you do not, do not preach.

Preach to yourself.' St Dominic was said to have been loved by all since he loved all. St Catherine of Siena was surrounded by a circle of friends: men and women, lay and religious.

They were known as the Caterinati, the Catherine people. St Martin de Porres is often shown with a cat, a dog, and a mouse eating from the same dish. A good image of religious life!

There were no easy friendships between men and women in the Old Testament. The Kingdom broke in with Jesus surrounded by his friends, men and women.

Even today, many people doubt the possibility of any innocent friendship between men and women. Men fear accusation; women fear male violence; the young fear abuse. We should embody the spacious friendship of God.

So we preach the gospel by friendships that reach across boundaries. God reached across the division between Creator and creature.

What impossible friendships can we make?

• Father Timothy Radcliffe, OP, is an English Catholic priest and Dominican friar who served as master of the Order of Preachers from 1992 to 2001. This is Part 3 of the reflection he shared with those about to attend the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which began yesterday.