Abstract
Consultation of the believers has been an ingrained characteristic of the Christian communities as is so evident from the Acts of the Apostles. The underlying theological reason was the cherished Christian belief that the Holy Spirit was actively present in all the baptized. Vatican II tried to bring back this traditional Christian belief especially when it spoke about the sensus fidei fidelium in Lumen Gentium 12. If the Holy Spirit is the one who guards and guides the community of believers (the Church), then it is imperative to not only allow sufficient space for the Spirit to act but also to listen to what the same indwelling Spirit is saying through the members of the community irrespective of their diverse callings and charisms received from the Holy Spirit. By launching the recent synodal process, Pope Francis intended not only to resurrect the traditional Christian concept of consultation in order to listen to what the Spirit is saying to the contemporary Church but also to make consultation itself an indispensable way of living in all spheres of authentic ecclesial life.
Recommended Citation
Tirimanna, Vimal CSsR
(2025)
"Listening to the Holy Spirit: The Centrality of Consultation in a Synodal Culture,"
Asia Pacific Mission Studies: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://archium.ateneo.edu/apms/vol7/iss1/3
