Belgaum Clergy Urged to Embrace Synodality Through Listening and Accompaniment

BELGAUM, July 9, 2026: Priests of the Diocese of Belgaum were encouraged to deepen their commitment to synodality by embracing a ministry of accompaniment, attentive listening and shared discernment during a clergy recollection held at St. Michael's Seminary in Machhe, Belgaum.

The recollection, themed "Synodality: The Synodal Church," was led by Fr. Christopher Vimal Raj, Associate Deputy Secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), who reflected on the Church's synodal vision through Scripture, pastoral experience and the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality.

Drawing on the Emmaus narrative (Luke 24), Fr. Christopher presented Jesus as the model of synodality, noting that Christ first walked alongside the discouraged disciples before instructing them. He urged priests to adopt a pastoral approach rooted in accompaniment by sharing in the joys, struggles and hopes of the faithful, emphasising that authentic ministry begins by journeying with people rather than leading them from a distance.

Highlighting listening as the foundation of a synodal Church, he said genuine listening requires more than hearing words; it involves entering into people's lived experiences where God continues to reveal himself. Respecting every person's story and listening before offering guidance, he said, helps foster trust, healing and ecclesial communion.

Fr. Christopher also underscored the importance of dialogue as a means of discerning God's will together. Referring to the challenges posed by misinformation and fake news in the digital age, he called on priests to promote truth, responsible communication and careful discernment in their pastoral ministry.

Reflecting further on the Emmaus account, he said the disciples' immediate return to Jerusalem after recognising the Risen Christ illustrates the missionary dimension of synodality. An authentic encounter with Christ, he noted, should always lead believers back to the community to strengthen one another and proclaim the Gospel.

In a second session, Fr. Christopher introduced the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality, describing synodality as a path of ongoing conversion. He outlined its key themes, including conversion through the Holy Spirit, the renewal of relationships and ecclesial structures, the formation of missionary disciples, and the vision of the Church as "A Feast for All People."

He stressed that synodality is not simply an organisational model or pastoral programme but a way of being Church, marked by shared discernment, active participation and common mission.

The recollection concluded with the clergy renewing their commitment to follow Christ by accompanying people in their faith journey, listening with compassion, discerning together and leading the faithful towards a deeper encounter with the Risen Lord.

Fr. Alwin Christopher George

Secretary, Commission for the Social Communication Commission

Diocese of BELGAUM