Going from the term synodality, which means simply journeying together, we understand the position of a leader as the one who is journeying with others. We try to understand the movement or the process of synodality in the Church as an appropriate time that helps us to become more conscious of the fact that we are walking together on the same path or that we are together on the way toward the Kingdom of God. Hence, it takes two or others to speak of a leader. Or better, nobody is or can be a leader for himself. One is a leader to lead others in a particular direction or specific activities. And this is the same sense of synodality or togetherness that the Church is pursuing now.

In reality, we have two types of experiences of walking together: walking together side by side and walking together in the same line. These two types of walking characterize walking together in the Church also. While walking together, there is a time when we walk side by side, and there is a time when we walk in line, following the leader and one another on the same path.

While playing like children, an unseen leader always leads others through the game. Here we can think of walking together, holding each other’s hands. The walking together applies when things are going on smoothly. Each one should play his role so the game can go ahead. In this case, the leader is not seen sometimes since all are playing at the same level.

In our position as leaders, there are times when we deal with the confreres using this type of leadership. We play and walk side by side at the same level. We work together with others in the context of children playing together and enjoying the company of others.

When there are challenging situations, we are called to lead differently by walking in line. We walk ahead of others showing the way. For example, in Papua New Guinea, we walk in line in the swamp areas of the Sepik River, following the leader who walks ahead leading the way. We follow the leader in his footprints to avoid thorns and other dangers like snakes.

And as a leader, we give clear instructions and live by example when things are not running smoothly. But, unfortunately, sometimes our leadership attitude or direction does not find good feedback and even produces hostile reactions from others. Hence, walking together becomes a challenge.

A leader uses a simple strategy to help us walk together. A critical component is listening. Listening is a fundamental attitude the Church needs today, especially in the process of synodality. Pope Francis dreams of a new style of being a Church that listens and is close to the people. Indeed, listening leads to understanding, and understanding produces appreciation of one another.

As it is said, “Never judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.” That is why the Church, under the leadership of Pope Francis, is using this listening strategy. The synod is a privileged time when the leadership of the Church listens to others.

As leaders, what type of walking relationships do we have with others? Are we walking side by side, or are we walking in line? What is our strategy in walking together with others?

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Fr. Willibrord Kamion Bhia, SVD. He was born in Bundundu (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1962. He joined the SVD in 1984. He was ordained a priest in 1991. He worked as a missionary in Papua New Guinea. First in pastoral (1991-1998), then in formation (1999-2003). From 2005 he worked in formation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the years 2011-2017 he was provincial of his native province. As of 2019 he is Coordinator of the AFRAM area. He did graduate studies in Counseling at De La Salle University in Manila/Philippines.