There was much discussion about how synodality leads to hope at the Australian Catholic Education Conference in Cairns last week, Laura Kings writes. Source: Australian Catholics.
More than 1500 Catholic educators, leaders, clergy and parents gathered to explore the theme “Hope anchored in faith”. Among the many insights shared, one message stood out: synodality is not simply about speaking, but about those in power truly listening.
Sometimes speaking takes courage; sometimes listening does too. Henrietta Marrie showed this when she faced the awkward task of pointing out that the conference’s opening ceremony was in the wrong order.
Teachers may instinctively begin with something engaging, like the children’s lively dance, but a Welcome to Country is not a performance. It is a formal invitation from Traditional Owners, distinct from an Acknowledgement of Country, and it must come first.
I am so grateful for her taking the effort to speak up, because if she hadn’t, I would never have understood. I am grateful also to Bishop Mark Edwards for thanking Professor Marrie for teaching us. He showed me how to let someone know they have been heard.
This is an example of how listening can lead to real social change. Though that conversation was uncomfortable, everyone who heard it was given a real chance to learn, if they chose.
So where does synodality fit in?
Conference keynote speaker Sr Nathalie Becquart believes this is a pivotal moment in the life of the Church and the world. She said synodality brings hope at a time when the mission has never been more urgent.
It’s not all about listening to awkward or uncomfortable truths. According to Sr Nathalie, we are at a special moment in Catholic education because we are called to implement synodality.
Sr Nathalie said schools have an opportunity to foster a culture of encounter, to issue an invitation to everyone to journey together to find unity in diversity in an exchange of gifts.
She called for schools to be places where “students learn from teachers, teachers learn from students and staff at all levels have gifts valued”.
She called it “social prophecy”, a way of living our experience as a Catholic Church, where synodality is a mission, a path to prophetic voice.
Laura Kings is assistant editor of Australian Catholics.
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Listening to the message (By Laura Kings, Australian Catholics)
