Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore has called on church and ecclesial leaders to “foster consensus” and ensure “a Synodal way of decision-making”.
“Consensus is by far the most effective method for mutually acceptable decision-making, as the involvement of all in arriving at one will allay the apprehensions that a majority decision can be thrust on a minority who disagrees,” said the prelate.
Archbishop Antonysamy, who is the vice president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), made the statement during the launching of the Indian edition of the Instrumentum Laboris on July 11.
The Instrumentum Laboris is the fruit of a vast synodal journey. It is a document by the entire Church. All who took part in the synodal process at the diocesan, regional, national, and continental levels are co-authors of this document, according to the CCBI.
In India, the Synod for the Synodal Church was conducted in all dioceses, and the national Synod consultation was held from July 26 to 28 last year in Bangalore.
In February 2023, the Asian Continental Synod took place in Bangkok. The suggestions and proposals from these were incorporated into the document.
Archbishop Antonysamy said the Synodal way of making decisions is “balancing the voices of the majority and minority and ensuring an equitable outcome”.
The first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is scheduled to be held from October 4 to 29, 2023, at the Vatican. A 12-member team from India will take part in the Synod.
