As Catholic dioceses across the world have already embarked on the synodal process, Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila stressed that “everyone has a voice” and “everyone must be heard”.

Speaking during Mass on the feast of St. Charles Borromeo at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City Nov. 4, he pointed out that a synod “is not simply a meeting or gathering” but “walking together”.

“Let us journey together. No one should walk ahead and no one should be left behind,” Advincula said in his homily.

It was the cardinal’s first time to celebrate Mass at the country’s first diocesan seminary, which was established in 1702, since he was installed Manila archbishop in June this year.

The synod, according to him, is encouraging “real involvement on the part of each and all”.

Echoing Pope Francis, he also said that the words “communion” and “mission” can risk remaining abstract unless synodality is concretely expressed at every step of the synodal journey.

Advincula then asked the seminarians to be part of the synodal process, adding that the seminary is rooted in synodality.

“Our patron is a bishop who fostered synodality. We were established because of synodality and we were envisioned to become a synodal seminary,” he said.