Massimo Faggioli – Theologian

Synodality arrived on the world stage at the same time as the phenomenon of ‘Strong Men’ promoting a political populism that sacrifices vulnerable minorities. It is therefore a Christian response to a new paganism. 

This is the argument advanced by the theologian Massimo Faggioli in an article for La Croix International.

Referencing a recent lecture by the American historian Timothy Snyder, Faggioli lists five features of the new paganism:

1. Language: a tendency towards use of a smaller vocabulary and an inability and reluctance to read extended texts.
2. Oracles: a prominence of supposedly unquestionable sources of knowledge that defy rational inquiry and analysis.
3. Violent Sacrifice: the practice of arrest and expulsion of those deemed dangerous to the unity of society, such as immigrants.
4. Charisma: the rise of ‘strong men’ to whom a superior wisdom is attributed.
5. Value: these strong men are also hoarders of wealth who promote the same oligarchical ethos.

Synodality on the other hand offers a reasoned discourse of mutual equal respect, as practised by Jesus of Nazareth, and the avoidance of either the deification of individuals or the scapegoating and exclusion of the most vulnerable. It rejects Internet oracles and ideological fixations – and is therefore ‘evangelical’ – i.e. ‘good news’ – in offering safe spaces for intelligent interchange and the possibility of a renewal of institutions and a more equal and just community.

For Massimo Faggioli’s complete article in La Croix click here.