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The Synod: Our Shared Experience

Synod on Synodality

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:

“Dear brother Cardinals, brother Bishops, sisters and brothers, we are at the opening of the General Assembly of the Synod. Here we do not need a purely natural vision, made up of human strategies, political calculations or ideological battles. If the Synod allows this to happen, the “other one” will open the door to it. This we do not need. We are not here to carry out a parliamentary meeting or a plan of reformation. The Synod, dear brothers and sisters, is not a parliament. The Holy Spirit is the protagonist. We are not here to form a parliament but to walk together with the gaze of Jesus, who blesses the Father and welcomes those who are weary and oppressed.  So let us start from the gaze of Jesus, which is a blessing and welcoming gaze.”

This synod on synodality has in many ways been organized differently than previous synods.  The voice of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth has joined the voice of the Church worldwide to provide fodder for the discussions of the synod delegates. This synod has been much talked about by bishops, Church leadership,  Catholic media, and people worldwide. It is a significant moment in the life of our Church.  We invite you to pray for all involved in this significant event in the life of our Church. May the Holy Spirit guide the work of the Synod, opening hearts and minds to encounter Christ, to intentionally listen, to actively discern ways for the faithful walk together and live our shared mission to proclaim Christ and make disciples.  To keep up-to-date on what is happening at the Synod visit www.synod.va

The Pope's invitation to Synodality

Pope Francis 58The 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.

 

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:  

  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. A CCCB Report: This report gives an overview of themes and thoughts shared by all the dioceses across Canada. 

 

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