Two distinct yet related initiatives are shaping civic engagement in the United States by promoting constitutional literacy among citizens. One is centered around the Vatican's Synod on Synodality and its study groups established to explore theological and canonical issues within the Church. The other focuses on local study groups aimed at educating citizens about the U.S. Constitution, its relevance, and importance.
Starting with the Synod on Synodality, which began its discernment phase in 2021, leaders of the ten study groups convened to navigate theological, pastoral, and canonical knowledge on various themes discussed during the first session held in October 2023. Coordinators and secretaries of these groups met recently to review their progress and future reporting timelines, indicating the Vatican’s commitment to addressing contemporary issues within the Church.
According to CNA, the groups are composed of priests, bishops, and experts, focusing on subjects including Church ministries and relations with consecrated individuals. The secretary-general of the Synod office, Cardinal Mario Grech, emphasized the importance of feedback from the public, opening avenues for wider community input through email submissions until March 31. Any suggestions sent will be integrated, affirming the Synod's inclusive approach.
Meanwhile, stateside, the Marietta community is gearing up for its own constitutional study groups to commence on February 25, under the guidance of local organization Living Democracy: Engaging Citizens. Betsy Cook, one of the organizers, expressed the intent to share the knowledge about how the Constitution serves as the backbone of American democracy, fostering good citizenship among participants.
These study groups, which will meet biweekly, aim to facilitate thorough discussions on the Constitution article by article, encompassing each amendment over approximately four months. Cook stated, "We all live under the same Constitution.", reinforcing the idea of collective responsibility and awareness among residents regardless of their residency status.
Facilitators Mark VanZanten and Jacki Richey have been brought on board to steer the conversations, and they plan to involve additional experts to enrich discussions when necessary. Richey highlighted the growing concern about the lack of civics education, pointing out how traditional academic focus has shifted away from civic instruction toward disciplines like science and mathematics.
"This is a chance to learn about how the government is supposed to work, and we can identify when people in our government are violating the Constitution," Richey remarked, showcasing the civic empowerment vision behind these groups.
The study initiatives also symbolize the recognition of history’s significance; meetings will be held at locations displaying historical democracy exhibits, like the one titled "Journey Along Democracy’s Trail". This display served as an educational platform, showcasing pivotal periods and struggles for citizenship and voting rights, allowing participants to connect historical contexts with contemporary governance issues.
The intertwining of these two initiatives — the Vatican’s study groups and the Marietta groups — reflects broader community efforts to uplift civic consciousness, highlighting the necessity of informed engagement with constitutional issues. Both sets of study groups, operating under different auspices, embrace the objective of facilitating informed discussions on governance, enhancing residents' comprehension of their rights, and responsibilities.
Whether through religious or civic lenses, the focus remains on educating citizens about the frameworks guiding societal structures. The study group models featured here could serve as blueprints for other communities seeking to bolster constitutional knowledge and democratic engagement.