Bishops representing every Catholic community across the globe are taking part in a synod in Rome which commenced on the feastday of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4th
Pope Francis has set the theme of the synod as being about understanding the Church as a community of people who walk together and are united in Christ.
The synod was called by Pope Francis in 2021. He asked each diocese across the world to make a submission in response to a list of questions. These led to national assemblies which in turn contributed to continental gatherings. The documents from all of these gatherings were then submitted to the synod secretariat in Rome.
The Synod of Bishops - of more than 440 members - will convene again this time next year to conclude its deliberations.
June 2022
Submission to the synodal process forwarded from the Diocese of Cork and Ross
A listening exercise was conducted across the diocese to prepare for a synod of the Catholic Church in Rome. This was in response to an invitation from Pope Francis to make our faith communities synodal.
All the reports from these have been distilled into a 10-page document which was sent from the Diocese of Cork + Ross.
Submission from the People of the Diocese of Cork + Ross
August 2022
The synthesis of documents from the Irish Church was submitted to the Synod Secretariat
The National Synthesis
February 2023
The Continental Assembly of the Synod for Europe was held in Prague
The final document of that assembly can be
You can view a livestream of the synod sessions in Rome here
On Oct 9th, 2021, Pope Francis officially opened the Synod on Synodality
He concluded his remarks that day with a prayer:
“Come, Holy Spirit! You inspire new tongues and place words of life on our lips:
keep us from becoming a “museum Church”, beautiful but mute, with much past and little future.
Come among us, so that in this synodal experience we will not lose our enthusiasm,
dilute the power of prophecy, or descend into useless and unproductive discussions.
Come, Spirit of love, open our hearts to hear your voice!
Come, Holy Spirit of holiness, renew the holy and faithful People of God!
Come, Creator Spirit, renew the face of the earth!
Amen.
