PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE IN A SYNODAL CHURCH OF ARCHDIOCESE OF MEDAN

Abstract

This artikel presents a pragmatical pastoral approah, hoping to contribute to the Church in the Archdiocese of Medan in its journeying together. Firstly, the autor describes the process of the synodal process in the Arhdiocese and how it finally resulted the Sintesis of the Synode. Secondly, the author observes some main issues related to the Diocese. She then reflects on the inspirations of sinodality (such as walking together, listening and sharing, pastoral minister and diversity) and recontextualize it within the diocese’s realities. Synodality is a call to a creative pastoral. A synodal church assumpts a genuine human community that knowing and relating to one another as brothers and sisters in love. Only real communities can authentically image the church's nature, that is: sinodality. If we wish this in the AoM, then we must rediscover our Church in a new way as flowing out from a community and helping the community to discover its own nature. This, in turn, makes demands on our understanding of pastoral ministry. In the third place, the author focuses on the reviewing of pastoral approach. In a synodal Church, communion, participation and mission is complemented by various values: listening with interest, speaking out, and a deep openness to the Spirit’s newness. Finally, the author identifies some practical pastorla issues that need attention in the diocese, such as synergity, involvement, affection and formation.