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Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - "The diocesan phase of the synodal journey is not the end, it is only the beginning of a synodal Church": with these words Msgr. Peter Chung Soon-taick, O.C.D., Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, announced the closure of the diocesan phase of the Synod on Synodality. During the closing Eucharist, celebrated on June 12 in Myeongdong Cathedral, around 30 people, including young people, the elderly, the disabled, religious and priests, were symbolically present and walked alongside the Archbishop, preceding Bishop Chung in the procession to the altar.
Archbishop Chung expressed his gratitude to all those who participated in the diocesan phase of the synodal journey, which began last October, and thanked in particular the women, the disabled, North Korean refugees, migrants and all young people who spoke up, offering their opinions as children of God, to promote and build a truly synodal Church. The Archbishop of Seoul said: "We all have the gift and experience of the Holy Spirit, who guides our Church as we share the fact that the Holy Spirit changes and transforms us. The Holy Spirit was the protagonist of the diocesan phase of the Synod on synodality and will continue to be so until the end of the entire synodal process". During the mass, the diocesan representatives presented the summary of the group work of the Archdiocese of Seoul. The document is the result of the reflections expressed by the various subjects through 6,100 small groups and meeting sessions, held over the past few months, and has been distilled into 40,000 prepositions. Announced by Pope Francis in October 2021, the synod is organized under the theme "For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission". The Archdiocese of Seoul, together with other dioceses in Korea, joined the universal Church, participating in the diocesan consultation and promoting the involvement from below of parishes, associations, religious congregations, movements, to experience fellowship and walking together. The report on the final synthesis of the work is public and available to the faithful: it has been published on the special site created by the Archdiocese, dedicated to the Synod (https://www.synod.or.kr). (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 17/6/2022)
