Reading the Final Synod Document
Part 4: The Conversion of Bonds
Part 4: The Conversion of Bonds:
The geeky week exploring Vatican Dicasteries, Episcopal Conferences, relating to other churches and religions, the role of the Pope and more
Avril Baigent had a great conversation with our guest speaker Professor Cathy Clifford , on the fourth chapter called ‘The Conversion of Bonds’, talking about how the concept of parishes is being redefined in the face of rapid change, reflecting on how we personally view power structures, and the importance of lay people understanding these structures and how decisions are made.
Professor Cathy Clifford is Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Canada. Her research interests and publications are focused primarily in the areas of ecclesiology, ecumenism, and the history of the Second Vatican Council, with a particular emphasis on the understanding of conversion and renewal of the churches, the development of doctrines, and the unity and diversity of Christian communions within the world Christian movement. She was a delegate to the Rome Synod Assembly and served as an elected member of the 2024 Synod on Synodality’s drafting commission for the final document.
This event is the fourth in a series of conversations hosted by the School for Synodality and synod experts to reflect on the Final Synod Document in more depth. For 6 weeks, the School for Synodality’s Director Dr Avril Baigent unpacks with guest speakers a different section, reflecting on its theological and practical implications, with time for questions afterwards.