Commenting on the Instrumentum Laboris (IL) raises a unique issue. On one view, it marks a significant move forward in church thinking and planning for the future. The document is positive, hopeful and upbeat, reflecting the mood of the Synod. It is optimistic and suggests a transformed church.

On an alternative view, the IL misses numerous opportunities for laying out a program that would relate practically to the socio-cultural context of the 2020s. Further, progress seems to be measured against Vatican II which is already sixty years in the past.

What began as an invitation to all Catholics to participate in the renewal of Catholicism as a force for good – personally, communally and publicly – has dissipated into a pattern of insiders discussing among themselves how they are to keep the ship afloat, still stunted by an obsession with outdated structures and intellectual positions. Meanwhile ordinary Catholics are disengaging in droves or barely hanging on by their fingernails.

The initial Synod call – ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission’ (Preparatory Document, 2021 #1) – drew a flood of responses and contributions. Catholics worldwide envisaged opportunities for new life, inspiration, the freedom of the Spirit to ‘blow where it will’ and a church committed to dealing with the life-issues they experienced.

Most Catholics in Australia, and probably worldwide, now regard the Synod as irrelevant for them – if they think about it at all. The IL barely acknowledges their concerns and, where it does, offers hope and further discussion rather than effective solutions.

The focus is now on the church and its way of going about its task rather than responding to the cries of the faithful for reasonable reform and renewal. The Synod could be offering practical solutions to many of the issues that continue to cause pain and grief, spiritual and mental suffering, relationship distortion and disruption, loss of faith and depression.

The ACCCR assessment is that the IL is, in a limited way, helpful, affirmative of the positive elements in the church and is on a positive path. There is a great deal of inspiring material here.  The critique is that, for much of its presentation, it is too hesitant and tied to structures and positions that are no longer valid. ACCCR dreams of a courageous, forward-looking, open and welcoming church that truly and unambiguously articulates and actualises the vision of Jesus.