Synodality, democracy, and democratization

This article aims to examine the conceptual relationship between synodality, constitutional democracy, and democratization processes within the Catholic Church. To this end, it begins by offering a preliminary definition of what both the synod and synodality mean, understood as a requirement that springs from the history of the Church and, especially, from the Second Vatican Council. It then presents the place of the Catholic Church within the constitutional democracy of law as part of transnational and global civil society. For conceptual accuracy, the Church will be understood as a community that embraces a “reasonable comprehensive doctrine” that is Christianity. In this regard, it will examine how the Church has been adjusting its doctrine in order to make it compatible with the demands of constitutional democracy by law. In addition, the Church will be understood as a “way of life,” understood in terms of “problem-solving instance” and as the area of personal relationships that aspire to “positive” or “balanced” reciprocity. Understanding the Church in terms of a “way of life” will allow us to examine the processes of democratization that take place and can be enhanced within the Church and how the synod and synodality contribute to this process. Thus, synodality is understood as a process in which relations of domination are weakened, and space is opened to respect for the dignity of people.