It’s spring — the season to start discussions about the reform of the Church. Pope Francis has asked bishops around the globe to initiate a discernment process in their dioceses to gauge where Catholic people think the Spirit is calling for change in the Church at this time. He wants bishops to listen to the people, so that the people’s discernment about the direction of the Church becomes part of the 2023 Synod discussions.

But bishops need to be clear about why they are inviting people to meet, reflect and share. A communication from one bishop implies that parish gatherings have no purpose beyond being able to say they were done. That doesn’t honour the intentions of the meetings. We’ve been chilled by the disappointment of empty consultations too many times. We’re not interested in investing in a process without a purpose.

We think it is important that we listen to where Church members think the Spirit is calling us at this time, where the Church is sapping rather than promoting life, where teachings need the freshness of new insights, where members are being disrespected, which rules are wrong however much they’re encrusted with sanctification, how the Church can join in addressing global problems such as climate change and refugees. We think that this sharing will be a worthwhile and significant contribution to our being Church now, and to the Synod in 2023.

Pope Francis is clear that the people’s sense of faith is the faith of the Church. He’s coined the word “synodality” to convey the image of the whole Church on an Emmaus walk discussing why and how we are Church and why, how and with whom we will participate in mission at this time in history. We hope to feel the same excitement and commitment to the future as those first disciples on the walk with Christ.

Some of the articles in this issue offer discussion and insights about aspects of synodality. Other writers reflect on how their spirituality affects their lives. We have reorganised the Contents page to make it easier to find contributions of a particular kind — a change made in response to feedback from the recent readers’ survey.

We thank all our contributors to the October magazine whose generous sharing of faith, reflection, writing, art and craft provide a thoughtful and stimulating read.

And, as is our custom, our last words are of blessing and encouragement.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 264 October 2021: 2