Catholic Renewal
- John Scoble
- Oct 10
- 4 min read
This article, entitled "Five Streams of Catholic Renewal" by John Warhurst, was first published on 23 September 2025 by Flashes of Insight (https://flashesinsight.com/) and brought to our attention by the Australasian Coalition for Catholic Church Reform (https://acccr.com.au/):
Pope Leo begins his pontificate just as many renewal-minded Catholics of long standing are discerning their future position. There are five identifiable, but not exclusive, options being openly considered by groups and individuals around the world.
Synodality embraced
The first option is to enthusiastically tackle the challenge of implementing the global Synod on Synodality program.
This is the most trusting and hope-filled position. It is a new step for some reformers, who are prioritising working within, sometimes in leading roles, the church’s developing synodal structures at diocesan and parish level.
Convinced that the church has taken on board their advocacy, they now turn inwards with renewed determination.
Insider-outsider stance
The second position is to purposefully maintain an insider-outsider stance, taking on some insider synodal contributions while remaining some distance from the church establishment.
This is the business-as-usual option. It is driven by scepticism balanced by love for their faith and, to a lesser extent, by respect for the institution.
Such reformers maintain an educated distance as friendly critics. Many are sad to see synodality principles being watered down at the local level.
Anger at inaction
The third stance is to ramp up simmering anger at an institution that continues to dither and prevaricate.
Those disappointed with Pope Francis’ performance on issues like equality for women in the church are disinclined to accept a more centrist and moderate Leo as the answer.
If the church chooses to settle down after Francis’ disruptions, such reformers remain deeply disenchanted at the lack of real progress.
Building lay voices
The fourth option is to pivot toward building a lay Catholic voice that becomes a permanent part of church infrastructure alongside bishops, religious, and priests.
involves drawing closer to established groups like the St Vincent de Paul Society, and newer ones like Catholics for the environment or Catholics for refugees.
These reformers are attracted to amplifying the Catholic voice in the public square and to public ministries more than to internal reform.
Personal spirituality
The fifth choice emphasises developing personal spirituality, with or without connection to the official church.
These reformers no longer put faith in the institution nor support its infrastructure.
Individually or in small groups, they rely on their own spiritual resources to map a good life of their own design.
This journey is increasingly ecumenical and inter-faith.
Time and alternatives
Time will tell how attractive these options or other variants turn out to be.
I am not alone in being deeply conflicted. Another alternative beckons: retreating from active participation in struggles over the legacy of Vatican II.
John Warhurst is an Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University in Canberra and a prominent contributor to ACCCR.
FAQs - Catholic Renewal
What is the Synod on Synodality?
The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, is a multiyear, worldwide undertaking during which Catholics were asked to submit feedback to their local dioceses on the question “What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our ‘journeying together?’” Following the second global assembly in Rome in October 2024, local churches were asked to implement a synodal process and report back on progress in mid-2026.
Source: John Scoble, A St Lucia Spirituality perspective
What does synodality mean?
Synodality is a process that involves prayerful speaking, deep and respectful listening to all perspectives, and constructive dialogue. It was clearly the intention of Pope Francis that synodality would become part of the DNA of the Catholic Church – the way it included all voices of the faithful in its mission. The Synod Assembly report (2024) stated: “At the root of this process is the acceptance, both personal and communal, of something that is both a gift and a challenge: to be a Church of sisters and brothers in Christ who listen to one another and who, in so doing, are gradually transformed by the Spirit.” Pope Leo XIV has indicated his intention to continue with the synodal process initiative.
Source: John Scoble, A St Lucia Spirituality perspective
What was Vatican II?
Vatican II, or the Second Vatican Council, was a major ecumenical gathering of the Catholic Church held from 1962 to 1965, convened by Pope John XXIII and continued by Pope Paul VI. Its primary aim was to modernize the Church to connect more effectively with the contemporary world and renew nearly every aspect of Catholic life, including worship, theology, governance, and the Church’s relationship with other Christian communities and religions. Reformers often describe Implementation of Vatican II recommendations as glacial. In many areas, reformers have experienced entrenched opposition and protection of the status quo.
Source: John Scoble, A St Lucia Spirituality perspective
What is the Catholic Church's teaching on equality of women?
The Catholic Church teaches that men and women are equal in dignity and worth before God, but does not support complete equality in roles within the Church, especially regarding ordained ministry. The Church’s theological understanding of gender is based on complementarity: men and women have different, but equally valuable, gifts and roles. Women are welcomed in significant leadership and administrative roles, but cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, a position reaffirmed by recent popes and official Church teaching. For many women, this is a source of great pain and a strong indication that they are not considered by a male-dominated Church to be truly equal before God.
Source: John Scoble, A St Lucia Spirituality perspective
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About the Author - John Warhurst
John Warhurst is an Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University in Canberra and a prominent contributor to ACCCR.
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