Dear Friends,
The Synod on Synodality is a multi-year, worldwide process of listening, dialogue and discernment encompassing a broad range of issues confronting the Catholic Church. It marks its concluding phase with the synod's second and final general assembly, October 2 through October 27, held at the Vatican. The members include bishops, lay experts and even non-Catholic observers from around the world. This session will focus on “How to Be a Missionary Synodal Church.” The synod’s 368 voting members will consider proposals related to expanding the role of women, decentralizing Church teaching authority and enhancing the laity’s input in decision-making.
Pope Francis, opening the session, urged the members to listen to the Holy Spirit rather than pursue personal agendas. At the first meeting of the full assembly of the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis said a bishop’s ministry should include cooperation with lay people and that the synod will need to identify “differing forms” of the exercise of this ministry. “Differing forms of a ‘collegial’ and ‘synodal’ exercise of the episcopal ministry” in dioceses and in the universal Church, Francis said, “will need to be identified in due course, always respecting the deposit of faith and the living tradition, and always responding to what the Spirit asks of the Churches at this particular time and in the different contexts in which they live.”
