Massimo Faggioli Gives Boisi Center Talk

On Wednesday February 15, Massimo Faggioli spoke in Stokes for the twentieth annual Prophetic Visions Lecture. The focus and title of his talk was “’Prophets are Never Honored at Home’: Prophecy and Synodality in the Catholic Church,” with extra focus placed on the current Synod on Synodality.

Faggioli stated that the power structures in the Church are unstable and that the voice of the Episcopate is in a “moral wilderness.” He also said that the Church needs new ways to proclaim the gospel with the voice of the people over the “clerical elite.”

Overall, there was a strong focus on the prophetic voice of the laity. Faggioli said that there is a strong link between prophecy and apostolicity. Quoting Edward I, he said, “What touches all should be approved by all,” to emphasize the need for lay voices in the Church.

Faggioli also quoted Yves Congar, a significant figure of the Second Vatican Council who stressed the Ecclesiology of the Episcopate and the Laity, especially the Threefold Office of Christ which we receive at Baptism—priest, prophet, and king. Faggioli believes that the prophecy role of each member of the Church consists of “teaching and mystical knowledge.” It should be mentioned that the full quote on this role in Lumen Gentium lists the Council’s definition of this role which does not mention mystical knowledge, but rather prophecy as the witnessing to the Faith through living as an example, “especially by means of a life of faith and charity and by offering to God a sacrifice of praise.”

Faggioli said that there is a “general instability” to the Catholic order and that there has been a collapse of Church authority and legitimacy. He believes that there has been a “politicization of prophecy.” Faggioli stated that he also believes the claim of the Church as being a counter-cultural organization is made to legitimize the Church’s stances and “prophetic nature.” However, it should be noted that many of the Church’s teachings which are considered counter-cultural are defended in the Catholic Catechism.

Faggioli reached his assessment of the current Synod on Synodality. He called the process a “de-Europeanization of Catholicism” and he listed his main issues that are on the table.

First is the “challenge to rethink the apostolic voice.” In this issue, Faggioli questioned the relationship between the Teaching Church and the Learning Church. He said that synodality cannot be reduced to “another wave of interpretation of Vatican II,” and that the Church should transition from a Theology of Church Teaching to a Theology of Revelation.

Second, he said there can be no Church of the future without the voice of the people- the laity. He said their prophecies, “haven’t been listened to at home in the Church” and that the Church needs more “open doors.”

Third, he brought up ministeriality. He believes that the Church should move from male ordained ministry towards a “plurality” of ministerial roles. He said that there are risks of the “gentrification of prophecy.”

Fourth, he spoke about women in the Church. He called them “guests in their own house” and emphasized that the “vision and prophecy” of women should be noticed. He also said that one issue that should be looked at exclusively is executive roles for women in the curia and more offices.

Finally, he spoke on Prophecy and the Charismatic element. He said that in the wake of the abuse scandal, the dangers of seeking popularity at home for “prophets of prophetic charisma” have been made visible. Faggioli noted they have hidden behind the mask of communities that try to “save the Church.”

In his conclusion, Faggioli said that the Church currently reacts to secularism with “apologetics on enmity.” As a result, he says we are often seen as a Church in which God is an “enemy of men and women.” He quoted Dei Verbum saying, “God speaks to humankind as friends.” He said that Theology is becoming “sectarian and un-Catholic.” He did not give any specific examples of these divisions, nor did he give examples of what the voices being denied are asking for. 

Finally, Faggioli said that there is a need to “enlarge the tent” of the Church and that there is a need for evangelization that is not measurable in political victory, but rather a “Church walking towards the Kingdom.”