Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG

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By Raymond MWANGALA, OMI, Assistant General for Mission

Two things are uppermost on my mind at this time: the conclusion of the second session of the Synod on Synodality and, the end of the month dedicated to mission in the Church.

On Sunday, October 27, the Holy Father presided over the Eucharistic celebration marking the end of the synod. For some, this synod has been a disappointment. They had expected it to make major changes to the teaching of the Church, which it did not. For others, it is joyful moment because they feel that they have prevented the Holy Father and the synod delegates from making what they consider as disastrous decisions. For me, I am happy that the synod took place, that it has begun an important process, that is, a way of being Church – a dialogical Church. The fruits will be seen in the future. For those who feel disappointed and offended by the institutional Church, I offer the following words from Henri Nouwen:

“When we have been wounded by the Church, our temptation is to reject it. But when we reject the Church it becomes very hard for us to keep in touch with the living Christ. When we say, “I love Jesus but I hate the Church,” we end up losing not only the Church but Jesus too. This challenge is especially great because the Church seldom asks for our forgiveness, at lease not officially. But the Church as an often fallible human organization needs our forgiveness, while the Church as the living Christ among us continues to offer us forgiveness. It is important to think about the Church not as “over there” but as a community of struggling, weak people of whom we are part and in whom we meet our Lord and Redeemer.” (Henri J. M. Nouwen, Bread for the Journey)

At the end of this month dedicated to mission, we, as Oblates, need to look at ourselves again and reflect on our missionary identity as a Congregation. What does it mean that we are missionaries today? How are we living our missionary vocation?

The General Mission Committee of the Congregation has begun a process of reflection on the issues in Oblate mission today. The process will involve reflection, dialogue, study, and discussion. At the annual assembly in February 2025, we will dedicate time and resources to deepening our understanding of the subject. If you would like to contribute your views, please get in touch with me at assistgenmission@omigen,org or with the representative of your region on the committee.