The Theology and Ministry Program of the School of Humanities and the Loyola School of Theology invite you to the online oral defense of the Ph.D. Dissertation/S.T.L. Tesina entitled “SYNODALITY-REIMAGINING THE COMMUNION MODEL OF VATICAN II ECCLESIOLOGY” by Fr. EDWIN S. GLIANE (Diocese of Gumaca) on 2 May 2025, Friday, 10:00 a.m. The Board of Examiners is composed of Fr. Emmanuel Marfori, S.Th.D. (Adviser), Br. Joaquin Yap, Jr., S.W., D.Phil. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner), Fr. Oliver Dy, S.J., S.T.D., Ph.D., Fr. Salvador Agualada, Jr., C.M.F., S.T.D., and Fr. Randy Jasper Odchigue, S.T.D., Ph.D. The defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the civil degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and ecclesiastical degree Licentiate in Sacred Theology, both concentrating in the field of Systematic Theology. It is open to the public.
Abstract: Synodality has been a consistent yet new topic in today’s theological, pastoral, and ecclesiological conversation. This dissertation proposes a theological and biblical connection of Synodality with the Communion Model of the Church. However, despite the close connection, Synodality has its own unique character that differentiates itself from Communion Model.
This research endeavors to show that Synodality is the new explicitation of Communion ecclesiology with emphasis given to communal discernment in decision making in the life and activity of the Church, as well as the bigger role the Holy Spirit plays in the Synodal Journey of the Church.
It also highlights that one of the critical ways of implementing the theology and practice of Synodality is through the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), which is described in the post- Vatican II Church as the new Way of being Church. As established Christian communities, the BECs can play the vital role to communicate the sentiments of the people in the peripheries and assert the voice of the ordinary faithful in the ecclesial decision that matters to the life of the people of God.
