Seminarians pledge to be agents of a Synodal Church in Ghana

 Pastoral Year seminarians from Ghana’s major seminaries have pledged to be active agents in the emergence of a Synodal Church.

They made this commitment at the end of a three-day formation workshop held from August 27 to 29, 2024, at St. Gregory the Great Provincial Major Seminary in Parkoso, Kumasi.

On the final day of the training, the seminarians issued a resolution stating their commitment to a synodal approach in their pastoral work. “Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we shall adopt a synodal approach in our care for souls as seminarians now and priests in the future,” the statement read.

Central to their pledge is the commitment to quality listening in all pastoral settings. “Quality listening shall be our modus operandi in every pastoral setting in order to create a safe environment for all to feel at home,” the seminarians declared.

They also resolved to embrace the Conversation in the Spirit method as their way of life. This approach, which emphasizes creating an atmosphere of trust and welcome, will guide them in their interactions and pastoral care.

In their commitment to promoting a Synodal Church in Ghana, the seminarians vowed to embody the three virtues of synodality proposed by Pope Francis: thinking as God thinks, overcoming exclusiveness, and cultivating humility. “We shall be active agents for the emergence of a Synodal Church in Ghana by living out the three virtues of synodality,” the statement affirmed.

Their goal is to inspire and build stronger communities through their pastoral work. “Our goal is to inspire people to dream, to make hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to warm hearts, and to restore strength,” they explained, referencing Pope Francis’s vision for the Church.

They also committed to promoting a Synodal missionary Church that encourages communion, participation, and mission. This commitment reflects their dedication to a Church that actively involves all its members in its mission and decision-making processes.

The training provided seminarians with a comprehensive understanding of synodality. On the first day, participants explored the biblical and etymological foundations of synodality, examining the concept through scriptural references such as the Exodus experience and the Emmaus journey. “Synodality is a journey of healing each other through listening,” the seminarians concluded.

The second day focused on Pastoral Synodal Leadership and the Value of Collegial Bodies in the Church. The sessions highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership and the role of collegial bodies in fostering collaboration and shared responsibility.

The workshop, themed “Synodality and Conversation in the Spirit in Pastoral Settings,” was organized by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and brought together seminarians from St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, St. Gregory the Great Provincial Major Seminary, and St. Victor’s Major Seminary.

The training featured a distinguished panel of facilitators, including Dr. Nora Kofognotera Nonterah, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer Buckle, and Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD.

Read the Resolution below