Synod Calls for Focus on Church Teachings

The Diocese of Baton Rouge is flourishing in terms of the ministries and opportunities to participate in the life of church parishes, according to parishioners who attended a synod meeting for the Baton Rouge Deanery at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge on January 26. 

But there were also calls for more focus on the teachings of the Catholic Church. 

Approximately 75 people attended the second of nine scheduled synodal meetings throughout the diocese in the upcoming weeks in response to Pope Francis’ call for a worldwide synod titled “Toward a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.”

In his opening remarks, Vicar General Father Jamin David noted that a synod is a chance for people to get together and have a conversation in mutuality and respect in their common bond about their common love of the Catholic Church.  

“The dialogue is about what the church is doing right now, where we’re really successful and where are the ways that we need to improve. And how do we practically go about and do that in our local context, but also on the universal level?” Father David said.

Bishop Michael G. Duca explained that a synod is “the people of God listening to each other to understand” and working together.

The attendees lauded the widely diverse ministry opportunities offered by the churches in the diocese. They also talked about the opportunities to build community for youth and, particularly through Christ the King Parish and Student Center in Baton Rouge, college-age and young adults.

Social outreach efforts such as the St. Vincent de Paul councils and the soup kitchen at St. Agnes Church in Baton Rouge run by the Missionaries of Charity and Knights of Columbus councils allow the faithful to encounter the less fortunate and marginalized in society and promote the sanctity of life. 

Furthermore, apologetic courses that help one to respond to defend Catholic doctrines and beliefs through systematic argumentative discourse and Bible studies provide ample opportunities to learn more about the Catholic faith.

Appreciation was expressed for the diocese and church parishes’ response during to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing livestreamed Masses and digital experiences for getting together and “making something beautiful out of a not so beautiful situation.”

Several people also expressed their appreciation for the opportunities to attend daily Mass, receive the sacrament of reconciliation and eucharistic adoration to develop a deeper appreciation for the Eucharist.

Related to that, several attendees said more emphasis must be given to the real presence in the Eucharist. They pointed to a Pew Research study that stated only 30% of people who identify themselves as Catholic believe in the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Luke Zumo, a parishioner of Christ the King, said, “To make strides toward (bringing people to) authentic and full communion, I feel more emphasis must be put on preaching and teaching about the full presence of the Eucharist.” 

But he emphasized that it “doesn’t stop there.” He said there must be witness of belief in the true presence by reverently distributing and receiving holy Communion and then going out and living the Gospel message.

Rusty Miller, a candidate for the permanent diaconate and member of St. Jean Vianney Church in Baton Rouge, noted that while children in Catholic schools are well-catechized, their parents are not. He urged the church to broaden its outreach to form parents in the faith as well. 

In discussing which individuals are the least included in the diocese, attendees noted more work needs to be done in improving racial harmony and in serving people with disabilities, the impoverished, the divorced, separated and homosexuals.  

“We have to look at how we treat each other right here at home,” said Monique Edwards, a member of St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge.

One participant said that just as attention is given to getting back to the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, he believes “the Holy Spirit wants us to get back to clear, concise teaching of the official teachings of the church.”

The meeting ended with Bishop Duca thanking people for their participation and giving a final prayer.

In expressing his hope in what the synodal meetings will accomplish, Zumo said, “I would hope that the clergy hears loud and clear from the laity that we desire to be challenged in holiness, that we desire what it means to be a beloved child of God who is worth dying for and what it means in our daily lives.”