Reforming the Church

Declan Marmion is professor of systematic theology at St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, Ireland, and a former dean of the theology faculty. In 2019 he published (with Salvador Ryan and Michael Mullaney) Models of Priestly Formation: Assessing the Past, Reflecting on the Present and Imagining the Future with Liturgical Press. He is the editor of Irish Theological Quarterly.Salvador Ryan is professor of ecclesiastical history at St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, Ireland, and has published widely on various aspects of the history of popular belief from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. In 2019 he published (with Declan Marmion and Michael Mullaney) Models of Priestly Formation: Assessing the Past, Reflecting on the Present and Imagining the Future with Liturgical Press.  He is the reviews editor of Irish Theological Quarterly and a member of the editorial advisory board for British Catholic History.

"This is a fine collection of essays by experts in ecclesiology and pastoral theology, and is a true gift for the church as we journey together in the synod on synodality. Experts from around the world explain the barriers to systemic reform and the call to deep listening, attunement to the Holy Spirit, and accompaniment required of the faithful in this time of renewal. Readers will encounter honest and pragmatic analysis of complex and conflict-ridden questions. The authors’ suggestions for dialogue and discernment take seriously the contributions of lay people, especially women, to the ongoing work of the church now and in the future. A must read for pastors, theologians, and all who are participating in the global synod."Emily Reimer-Barry, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego

• ContentsAcknowledgments    ixIntroductionDeclan Marmion and Salvador Ryan    xiSynods, Reform, and Pope Francis: A Historical PerspectiveChristopher M. Bellitto    1True and False Reformers in the Church: Congarian Lessons for TodayShaun Blanchard    17“A Church That Listens”:Synodality in the Life and Mission of the ChurchDeclan Marmion    34Synodality and the Appointment of Bishops:Issues and Proposals from Vatican II to Global Catholicism TodayMassimo Faggioli    52Toward an Effective Synodalization of the Whole ChurchRafael Luciani    67Reforming the Church in the Era of SynodalityBishop Vincent Long, OFMConv    84 Problems and Prospects of Synodality and Church Reform in IndiaFrancis Gonsalves, SJ    98Synodality with the People: A Latin American PerspectivePedro Trigo, SJ    113Between Crisis and Renewal:The Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in GermanyJulia Knop    135A Conversion to Dialogue:The Church’s Dialogical Reform in the Light of Gaudium et SpesAgnès Desmazières    153Toward Ecclesial Ethics:A Reforming God, a Just Church, and Reformed SubjectivityEthna Regan    167Epilogue: Reform and the Church of the FutureKristin Colberg    180Notes on Contributors    186