Synod For a Synodal Church

Synod is a Greek word meaning a meeting or assembly. This Synod is not just another meeting with oral presentations and written reports. This Synod is a process of journeying together. As the Church, we will listen to each other, dialogue with each other, pray together, discern together, and make decisions together for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world!

Pope Francis is asking each local diocese to gather — clergy, religious and laity — to first listen to each other’s joys and hopes, and griefs and anxieties (c.f. Gaudium et Spes no. 1). After we listen to each other, we are called to dialogue together on ways we can accompany each other as we seek to grow in holiness. Listening and speaking within the Church always involves prayer. We are listening, dialoguing, and praying together so that we can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. The “goal” of this journeying together is not to create a new vision or pastoral plan with objectives. Rather, the goal of our journeying together is to be present with one another, to listen and learn with each other, and to grow closer to the Lord and His Church.

The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue beginning with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021 with each individual diocese and church celebrating the following week on October 17. The synodal process will conclude in 2023. 

No, Synodality and the Synodal process are not about engaging others for the purpose of deciding matters through a parliamentary vote. Nor is the primary purpose of Synodality to introduce democratic methods into the Church, where the majority determines how the Church will act.  Synodality is also not about strategic plans or managing pastoral parish ministries through objectives. Synodality is about the entire People of God, journeying together to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to become holy.

Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together! We are called to dialogue with each other and pray together to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Synodality involves clergy, religious and laity listening, speaking, praying and discerning together placing the hopes and concerns of the People of God at the foot of the bishops who united with our Holy Father, decide matters of faith and morels to preserve the faith, and strengthen the Church throughout the world.

The Synodal process is meant to be simple, accessible and welcoming for all so that everyone, the poor, marginalized, most vulnerable and excluded of our society feel welcomed to engage with the entire People of God.