The Call and the Echo

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The synodal process, anchored on reciprocal listening, has cleared the airwaves for all people—not just the clergy, but the laity, and most especially those from the peripheries—to openly express their sentiments, dreams, and aspirations for a Church they can truly call home. Through this process, the faithful have deeply realized their co-responsible role in guiding others and perpetuating Christ's mission.

For the Archdiocese of Capiz, one most symbolic cultural image of this synodal experience is the bell. This image naturally evokes our identity as the home of the Panay Bell, the largest bell in Asia. For us faithful Capizeños, it is more than just a historical icon; it is an early fruit of synodality itself, having been cast from 76 sacks of coins contributed by the townspeople over four decades.

In this synodal framework, the bell represents the Church’s urgent call to listen to the voices of the least, the last, and the lost. Its striking sound produces echoes—the resounding sentiments long buried by the people out of hesitation and fear of rejection. Yet, these echoes also carry the people’s deep longing to participate in the mission inherent to them by virtue of their baptism.

The reverberating waves of these echoes can go two ways. Positive waves bring renewed commitment and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide pilgrims on the road. Conversely, negative waves may reveal division, discord, or apathy that could disrupt the pilgrimage.

The vast expanse through which these echoes travel is the global Church, which currently seeks structural restoration and healing from the ravages of human greed and imperfection. Thus, the synodal echo serves as a spiritual diagnosis, allowing the Church to initiate healing and grow into a fortified body capable of journeying for the Mission. As the Church of the Third Millennium faces complex modern challenges, it must remain profoundly sensitive to the echoes emanating from its flock. The bell stands as a permanent reminder: we are summoned to mission, and we must respond.

hba 10.01.26

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