The 2024 World Cup of Synod Jargon

On about October 8th, when we have decided what the worst hymn is, we shall start the 2024 World Cup of Synod Jargon. The 2023 World Cup voters decided that "a new way of being Church" was the winner, and "a kenotic de-centering" came second. This year's World Cup will include 16 new entrants received since the previous World Cup, and exclude all the 2023 heroes. After all, a key principle of synodality is to reject everything that was good in the past.

Here we go again!

The sixteen extrants are:

a real Copernican turning point
a snippet of 'conversation in the spirit'
a multidimensional impact on churches
a new theology which gives 'flavour'
athletes of synodality
breathe synodality into academic theology
circularity animated the synodal process
discernment is synodal
forgiveness for the sins against synodality
mission is always synodal
passes through a relational conversion
preserve harmony in your discernment
socio-cultural diversity in a multifaceted church
teaching us to be bread for others
the synodal methodology of conversation
which aspect of 'PLACE' is important?

For practical reasons (because the entrants are quite long they are hard to fit into a tweet), there will be a simple knockout competition conducted by Twitter polls, and no group stages.

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SEMI-FINALS, with the full version of each bit of jargon. Illustrations produced by the Copilot AI program.

forgiveness in the name of all the baptised for the sins against synodality 83

understanding how to be a synodal church in mission thus passes through a relational conversion 17

athletes and standard-bearers of synodality 41.2

the principle of circularity that animated the whole synodal process 58.8

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THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF

understanding how to be a synodal church in mission thus passes through a relational conversion 45.9
athletes and standard-bearers of synodality 54.1 BRONZE MEDAL

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FINAL

forgiveness in the name of all the baptised for the sins against synodality 72 GOLD MEDAL
the principle of circularity that animated the whole synodal process 28 SILVER MEDAL

It's Radcliffe Mania!

Are YOU organizing a synod? Well, if not, why not? Have you not heard the Holy Father tell us that the essence of Catholicism is its synodality? You should eat, drink, breathe and sleep synodality (especially the last if it gets to be too boring)!

Musical chairs at a synod party. Take one away and see which synodder can't find a seat when the music stops!

All right, I've persuaded you. There are lots of excuses for a synod - a birthday synod, a baptism synod, a wedding synod, a funeral synod... If you can't think of a good reason, just send out invitations to a few friends - 400 should be enough - to sit round tables in a sinister-looking hall for a week or two.

Now you will need an official retreat master and spiritual advisor to deliver a series of talks and meditations to the delegates during the assembly of your synod. And this is where Radcliffe Mania comes in - everyone wants their own Timothy Radcliffe!

A Radcliffe impersonator - an old sheet, a cheap wig and a bag of heresy.

Just look at what you'll need to guide your synod:

* A president at one of the infamous Soho Masses.
* A man who recommended the film Brokeback Mountain.
* A man who rejects the Church's teaching on homosexual relations.

Sounds like Fr James Martin LGBTSJ, doesn't it? But no, Jimbo is only second grade material - he won't be a cardinal until the consistory after next! The flavour of the day is Tim Radagast.

Oh, did I mean Radagast or Gandalf?

Anyway, we are soon going to see a new-look Radagast the red. Out goes the white sheet, in comes a red sheet. A nice red hat will complete the effect.

However, when off duty, Cardinal Radagast prefers brown vestments.

Well, I hope this article has been helpful to you. We can't all be Timothy Radcliffe, but it won't be difficult to dress up as him, to entertain your synodal guests. As for retreat talks and meditations - well, make up what you like, but nothing too Catholic. Right?

Fun for all the family!