Cardinal McElroy: Women and men religious can lead synodal shift

Women and men religious have a unique and powerful opportunity to lead the Catholic Church in its synodal conversion, San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy told people gathered Nov. 10 at the Religious Formation Conference's semiannual Congress, being held in Chicago.

Because consecrated men and women have already largely embraced synodality in religious life and are a living example of discernment, their prophetic voices can teach the universal church to follow the path the Holy Spirit is leading us on, he said.

"Synodality is not rooted in specific outcomes, no matter how important," McElroy said. "It seeks nothing less than a recasting of the culture of the church that will endure for generations."

The Congress runs Nov. 8-12. In addition to McElroy's keynote, it features numerous speakers and workshops on topics across formation for religious life. On Nov. 11, the conference will present its Sr. Mary Emil Penet award to Incarnate Word Sr. Teresa Maya for significant contributions to formation ministry.