Becoming a Synodal Church: Political Charity and Collective Spirituality for Philippine Catholicism

Abstract

This article explores the prospects of Philippine Catholicism, especially in light of Pope Francis’s exhortation to rebrand the Church into a synodal reality. To steer the Philippine Catholic Church towards synodality, I argue that imitating the first Christians is imperative for Filipino Catholics. The early Church was a synodal Church, and if Philippine Catholicism aspires to be such, I further argue that two essential building blocks are necessary so it can tread the path of synodality, namely, political charity and collective spirituality. These two are equally crucial elements for Philippine Catholicism to realize its synodal transformation.