But outside the synod hall, fewer people seem convinced. Among observers, to be sure, there are some who think that the synod on synodality represents a sea change for ecclesiastical life from which there will be no return. But others are more convinced that synodality is a faddish buzzword — that most of the Church’s leaders have given nods to synodality at the pope’s behest, and will drop the language soon after his papacy ends.
With that question looming, discussion at the synod this week took up a question with considerable potential to determine whether synodal-style discernment will become a lasting reality, or just a flash-in-the-pan in the Church’s life.
