“When renewal and advancement stall”: A Political Philosophical Reading of the Assessment of Synodalization of the Catholic Church
(2026) European Academy of Religion: Religions and (in)equalities — Location: Rome (30.June.2026)
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- The concept of synodality within the Catholic Church lacks clearly defined criteria for assessing the extent to which the Church has become, is, or is becoming synodal. While synodal practices have appeared recurrently throughout history, they have manifested in diverse forms, making it practically impossible to establish a checklist for determining levels of synodality. This historical variability suggests that synodality is better understood as a dynamic and evolving reality rather than a fixed institutional model. In this regard, Craig Calhoun’s reflections on the survival of democracy provide a valuable framework for considering how synodality might be sustained and adapted over time. For Calhoun, “Democracy is a project, not simply a condition. It is not switched on like a light and then safely ignored. Democracy is always a work in process, being built, being deepened, or being renewed.” (Calhoun, “Contradictions and Double Movements,” 48) While the Catholic Church is not a democracy, it likewise cannot simply “switch on” synodality as if it were a technical adjustment of its organizational structures. Just as democracy requires both commitment and ongoing maintenance, synodality demands sustained engagement and cultivation. This paper therefore proceeds in three steps: first, it highlights the need for evaluative criteria to meaningfully assess synodal development; second, it proposes a more telic understanding of synodality, drawing inspiration from Craig Calhoun’s reflections on the survival of democracy; and finally, it explores the practical consequences of such an approach for the concrete life of the Church.
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Van Rompaey, J. (2026, July 2). “When renewal and advancement stall”: A Political Philosophical Reading of the Assessment of Synodalization of the Catholic Church. European Academy of Religion: Religions and (in)equalities, Rome. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/267824