What Is The Synod?For many in the Church a synod is something that happens every On October 10, 2021 Pope Francis will open the 16th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops with the theme: For a synodal church: communion, participation, mission. Previous synods have sought to understand how the faithful around the world are journeying together by hearing reports from delegates - usually bishops - as they gather at the specified date. This year however, Pope Francis is shifting the synod from being an event to being a process ; a process the lives out synodality. Synodality in this context refers to a process of discernment that is led by the Holy Spirit and involves clergy, religious and laity – each according to their gifts and charism. The Holy Father seeks the participation of the whole People of God in the mission of the Church. This monumental work is the task that we begin together in October of 2021 and will continue until the assembly of bishops planned for October 2023. This three-year synodal journey has three phases of consultation and discernment: diocesan, continental, universal. The diocesan consultation period begins in October and goes until April of 2022. The General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican produced a helpful infographic describing this three-year process. You will find the infographic by clicking here. For more information and to keep updated on the 2021-2023 Synod go to: www.synod.va |
few years at the invitation of the Pope. These gatherings bring together bishops from around the world to discuss and discern important matters of faith and Church teaching. Recent synods have looked at New Evangelization, Family Life, and Youth.
Last Wednesday, October 4, Pope Francis officially opened the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops with Mass in Saint Peter’s Square. In the opening of his homily Pope Francis said:
Late last week the Canadian Bishops along with their American counterparts released the North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the Synod on Synodality. This completes the Continental stage of the three year process of the preparations for the Synod in October 2023. Pope Francis embarked on preparations for this upcoming Synod as an exercise of listening to the living voice of the Church throughout the world. Encouraging the faithful to consider new ways of being Church has been a hallmark of the Holy Father.
The Pope's invitation to Synodality
The Holy Father hopes that this synod, that focuses on synodality, the act of journeying and discerning together, can be a first step in the whole Church journeying together.
All the People of God have a role in the Church and the Pope wants to hear from you. Thank you for sharing your experience of the Church at this particular time and place in our world.
Synod Resources
General Resources
- General Information on the 2021-2023 Synod: www.synod.va
- Synod Process Infographic
- 2021-2023 Synod Preparatory Document
- 2021-2023 Synod Vademecm (Synod Handbook)
- Synod 2021-2023 FAQ (for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth) (pdf)
- Synod 2021-2023 FAQs-External Consultation (pdf)
Resources for Parish Synod Teams
Reports on the Findings from Diocesan Phase Synod Responses
In July 2022 the reports from the diocesan phase of the Synod 2021-2022 were submitted. These reports included:
- A Diocesan Report: Findings from over 900 responses from both church goers and non- church goers were summarized. This reprsents our diocesan response to Pope Francis’ request for all to take part in the synod. And secondly, the summary helps Bishop Dunn discern the pastoral needs and concerns of the local church.
- An Atlantic Region Report: This report is a summary of the responses from all 13 dioceses in the Atlantic region and was submitted to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) to be included in their synod responses report for Canada.
- A CCCB Report: This report gives an overview of themes and thoughts shared by all the dioceses across Canada.
