"We need not be afraid of differences of opinion, because the Holy Spirit is at work in them," said the British Dominican at the start of the last week of the Synod in Rome on Monday. No one has the right to remain silent during this week. However, everyone must also listen, otherwise "we will beat the drums of ideology, be it that of the left or that of the right", said Radcliffe.
Radcliffe warned the synod members not to hide behind pious phrases. "Belief in the Holy Spirit does not absolve us from using our reason in the search for truth."
Anyone who only trusts in God's providence but does not dare to intervene in the debate with their own convictions is acting irresponsibly and not in an adult manner, said Radcliffe.
Nevertheless, it is important to trust that all will be well in the end, said Radcliffe: "So even if you are disappointed with the outcome of the Synod, God's providence is at work in this assembly and is leading us along paths to the kingdom of God that only God knows."
The Synod on Synodality is just one synod, Radcliffe said. "There will be others. We don't have to do everything, we just have to try to take the next step."
The Synod on Synodality will continue to meet in the Vatican until next Saturday. After almost four weeks of deliberations, the assembly will then vote on a final paper with proposals for the Pope.