Bishop Cipollini affirms that the greatest challenge of the Synod is to change the structures of the Church

The Brazilian bishop Mons. Pedro Carlos Cipollini stated that to achieve the changes proposed in the Synod of Synodality, it is first necessary that three types of conversion be carried out: pastoral, structural and spiritual.

“Something must change,” said the prelate before the journalists present at the briefing offered at the Vatican Press Office on October 17.

The current Bishop of the Diocese of Santo André, in São Paulo (Brazil), highlighted that in the Synod there is a “cross-cutting” theme, present in all the debates faced: the question “of changes.”

He explained that the word “change” in biblical language is translated as “conversion”, a term used on numerous occasions in the Gospel, especially in the calls of Jesus.

Along these lines, Bishop Cipollini, who was president of the Episcopal Pastoral Commission in Brazil for the Doctrine of the Faith, highlighted three types of conversion, essential for “a change” – although without specifying which one – to come to an end.

First of all, he spoke of a “pastoral conversion”, that is, “the way of exercising the mission and evangelizing.” “The way to evangelize the media” and “extend the places of evangelization, since one territory is no longer enough,” he commented.

Especially notable was his proposal for a “structural conversion”, which he defined as the “greatest challenge” of the Synod. “It is about changing the structures, with an eye towards the horizon of the Kingdom of God. Not only the Church ad intra” , accurate.

The third point would be, according to the prelate, a “spiritual and synodal” conversion. He also highlighted the need to have personal testimonies of life that “motivate people towards conversion.”

He reiterated that it is not only “a rational process, but also an emotional one,” while emphasizing that it is necessary to “welcome the new and offer what has already happened to the Lord, following the path that the Holy Spirit teaches us.”

This conversion, according to the Brazilian bishop, “is slow, it is not mathematical or automatic” and has to do “with the freedom of the person.” He also assured that we must take into account “the time factor,” although he expressed hope to see that “a process of change” is being experienced.

“We cannot verify the results, we do not have the power to determine the future. But I have great hope, which is part of a conversion process,” he said.

Although the most controversial issues, such as the ordination of married men or women’s access to the diaconate, have been removed from the central debates of the Synod, this process could still change the Catholic Church in different ways.

A greater presence of women in leadership positions, the ability of national episcopal conferences to make doctrinal decisions or concrete ways in which Church communities can evaluate their leaders, may be some of these “changes” that are addressed. the Brazilian prelate said.

Regarding the structural change mentioned by Bishop Cipollini, it is worth remembering that Father Dario Vitali, coordinator of expert theologians, came to affirm that the work of the Synod will finally allow a “renewal” of ecclesial structures.

This renewal takes the form of an “inversion of the pyramid” and proposes a “synodal style”, framed in a less hierarchical Church, with a more “participatory and inclusive” approach among its members, thus promoting collective decision-making and co-responsibility.