Finding community among Catholics who are working to change the attitudes and activities inside and outside of the Church is a special opportunity, especially for dialogue. Concerned Lay Catholics, an organization based here in Canada, recently hosted the “Journey of Encounter: Pilgrims of Hope Embracing Synodality” at St. Jerome’s University in Ontario from June 15-18 with 135 delegates from across the country. This included lay people, academics, authors, religious educators, teachers, chaplains, consecrated religious, retirees, church administrators, and clerics.
It was a unique moment in the Canadian Catholic Church as we embraced what Pope Francis began in the Synod on Synodality in 2021. The outcome of this process produced a document entitled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” Final Document of the XVI Assembly - Synod.va Canadian delegates who were in Rome for both sessions were also participants in this month’s conference. I was happy to share a table with one such lay woman, who for the first time in the history of the Synod of Bishops could have a vote of equal weight to an ordained prelate.
The synodal process is simply a process of listening, encounter, and dialogue. It is what is needed in our day, given the many forms of upheaval in our Church that discourage the faithful. During our synodal experience in Canada, we came together to listen to what is happening in the Canadian Church, and to discern what direction would be of benefit to the people of God.
The fruits of synodality of course, are not those of binding Church teaching. However, Pope Francis, in spearheading the movement toward a listening Church, emphasized the importance of dialogue nevertheless. The ultimate goal of this move of the Spirit is that members of the Church continue to encounter and love each other.
The Synod on Synodality offered an opportunity for Catholics of all backgrounds to experience a new form of being together. Its “conversations in the Spirit” take place in groups of 8 to 10 people and questions are presented along with Scriptures that help shape the conversation. I am excited to read the final version of the document we formed at our gathering in Canada, based on the responses of the delegates present this month in Ontario.
This moment is an opportunity for Canadian Catholics to hear the collective concerns of the Church and also to honor the legacy of Pope Francis. Various topics were discussed at our “Journey to Encounter,” including Indigenous people, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, women, the laity, transparency, inculturation, evangelization, and mission.
Having experienced this unique moment of fellowship, I propose this question: How can the synodal process acknowledge and build relationships with Black Catholics in Canada?
We have had a presence in these lands since before Canada was even a country. However, the voice of our Black Catholics is very rarely encouraged or heard. Syondality is a welcome phenomenon that offers a space for us to make our experience known. Further, it is reasonable to ask why there is a limited presence of Black people in the Canadian Church. The Synod in Rome included delegates from across the globe because the Catholic Church is universal. However, for many Black Catholics in Canada, this reality is often invisible, depending on one’s location or parish.
Further, Black Catholics in Canada are primarily seen as new immigrants from Africa—an assumption that is often inaccurate. As for our history over the centuries, I have personally made serious attempts to uncover forgotten stories and study the Black Catholic Canadian experience but was very disappointed to see the scarcity of sources available.
The Black Catholic experience on the whole is one of struggle, resistance, and resilience. Given the increased role of the laity, more voices are coming to the table and making demands on the Catholic Church to make amends. Just as in America, Black Canadians have a history in the Catholic Church and this must never be overlooked. We cannot afford to ignore these communities or neglect to offer proper pastoral care.
With synodality as a starting point, dioceses and parishes across Canada can welcome and invite Black Catholics as a form of evangelism. Intentional dialogues can offer a space where their concerns, disappointments, and hopes can be encouraged and understood. This process can directly address the uncomfortable issues of racism in the Canadian Catholic Church and history of excluding Black people from vocations and other forms of leadership.
Seizing this moment will be an opportunity for the Church hierarchy and Black Catholics alike. After all, Black voices belong in the Church. I am eager to see a synodal approach to addressing the many challenges facing Canadian Catholics. In a special way, I pray that the Holy Spirit will ignite our hearts to ensure that Black voices have their proper place. The Church in Canada has the means and framework to include Black voices, if they finally make it a priority. I pray that the fruits of the Holy Spirit will blossom in ensuring such reality.
Tamika Royes has fifteen years of experience in the social services sector in various roles. She has been a tireless advocate of justice causes, beginning in high school. She is currently pursuing a post-graduate certificate at Assumption University.
