Thoughts As We Prepare for the Synod

As God’s Field goes to press this month, we are approximately three months away from the start of the XXVII General Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church, which will gather in Manchester, New Hampshire at the end of September.

As we plan for this Synod, it is important that we do so with the words of the Constitution of the P.N.C.C. in mind, especially the section on Church Authority.  Article VI (Church Authority) states: (Section 3) “In administrative, managerial and social matters, this Church derives its authority from the people who build, constitute, believe in, support and care for it.  It is a fundamental principle of this Church that all parish property, whether the same be real, personal, or mixed, is under the  stewardship of those united with the Parish who build and support this Church and conform to the Rites, Constitution, Principles, Laws, Rules Regulations, Customs and Usages of this Church, and subject to the provisions of this Constitution, By-Laws and Code of Faith.”

This portion of the Constitution is set against the section regarding the authority of the Prime Bishop, Bishops and Clergy which is exercised in matters of faith, morals and discipline.  But it is important for us all to realize that this separation allows the membership of the Church to focus their attention on the areas of their expertise and activity.  The clergy of the Church have been entrusted with the God-given responsibility for the teachings and canonical order of the Church.  These are the areas of faith, morals and discipline.

But the entire Church, both clergy and laity together, are entrusted with the God-given responsibility for the ongoing life and activity of the Church. It is for this reason that we must evaluate what the Church has been doing and accomplishing, especially over the past four year in the past Synodal period, and then with that knowledge, set a program of work for the next four years, the time until the next General Synod.  It is for this reason that Article VII.A General Synod, Section 4 concludes with the words: “The General Synod … oversees all Church matters, both spiritual and material.”

Along with this work as well, the General Synod also plays a strong role within the leadership of the Church.  At this Synod, the Synod body will once again vote for the individual who will occupy the Office of Prime Bishop and also, they will elect Candidates for Bishop, to fulfill the leadership roles within the Dioceses.  These actions show the interconnected way in which the leadership of the bishops, both serves and leads the faithful within the rest of the Church.

With all of this as a background to what role the General Synod serves within the Church, we also know that there is much work to be done in preparation. At the present time for the Synod: reports of the work of the past four years are being prepared both within the Office of the Prime Bishop and by the various Commissions and Organizations of the Church; the Nomination Commission is getting prepared to evaluate the nominees that were presented; during this time as well the Parishes and Organizations have chosen or are presently choosing the delegates that will represent them at Synod. 

And while we may not consider this background work to be of prime importance for the PNCC and the Synod, it is in fact vital that the Synod is able to review the past work of the Church, so that it can more fully plan for the life of the Church in the years ahead.  It also must make preparations so that the Synod itself can prayerfully consider and act upon the present needs.

In particular, at the General Synod in 2014 we had set out five major themes for the Church to focus its attention, especially in the setting of Synodal programs.  These were:

1) Growth and Membership,

2) Increased Spirituality,

3) Lifelong Learning,

4) Sacred Vocations, and

5) Community Involvement and Presence. 

Much has been accomplished over the past number of years and especially within this last Synodal period.  Just a few items of success can be seen in the Seminary program that has done so very much in regard to the increase of Sacred Vocations both within the Priesthood and Diaconate.  The Seminary, as well as a number of Diocesan Initiatives, have done wonderful work in increasing the Lifelong Learning within the Church.  Likewise, the Advent and Lenten Retreats and Spiritual Programs have allowed the Church to increase its Spirituality.  There are also a number of parishes of the Church where Community Involvement and Presence have allowed them to grow and make a powerful impact within their local communities.

But with each of these successes, we can also see that there is more to be done.  In each of these five categories, we also know that there are places where we have fallen short.  This is why that, gathered at the Synod, we will report on the good things we have done, but more importantly we will face the challenges that confront us and we will set a plan for the Church in the years ahead.

In our preparations for the Synod, I also want to encourage the two important aspects of prayer and discussion.  Let us be people who pray powerfully for the success of the Synod and for its work in building up the Kingdom of God as it is found within each of our parishes.  Pray together during the celebration of Holy Mass and at any parish gatherings.  Pray individually for your own parish representatives, your parish pastor, your bishop and the entire Church.

And along with your prayers, also discuss your thoughts, ideas and concerns with these individuals as well.  At our General Synod, each delegate there represents a constituency.  There are parish representatives, organizational representatives, diocesan representatives and national representatives.  And in each of these areas there are members of both the clergy and the laity.  Speak with those who represent you so that they can bring your concerns, your thoughts and your ideas to the Synod for its consideration.

With this strong prayer and the work and ideas of the entire Church, we will accomplish the work of building the Kingdom of God within our Polish National Catholic Church.  I know the work will not be quick or easy, but we know that it will happen as we state within our motto: “By truth, by work and by struggle, we will triumph.”