Journeying Together in a Synodal Church

On Sunday, October 10, 2021, Pope Francis formally launched the process leading to the 16^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which will take place in October 2023.  Next Sunday, October 17, 2021, dioceses around the world will open the process in their local Churches.

In the Preparatory Document (PD) for the Synod, Pope Francis explains that the Synod process is part of our “journeying together” where we as a Church reflect on our individual and collective experiences and then use our learning to help us better “live communion, achieve participation and open ourselves to mission” in ways that are suitable for these times and circumstances. 

The Listening Phase (October 2021-April 2022)

About this first listening phase at the local level, the Pope writes:

The purpose of the first phase of the synodal journey is to foster a broad consultation process in order to gather the wealth of the experiences of lived synodality, in its different articulations and facets, involving the Pastors and the Faithful of the particular Churches at all the different levels, through the most appropriate means according to the specific local realities: the consultation, coordinated by the Bishop, is addressed “to the Priests, Deacons and lay Faithful of their Churches, both individually and in associations, without overlooking the valuable contribution that consecrated men and women can offer” (EC, no. 7). The contribution of the participatory bodies of the particular Churches is specifically requested, especially that of the Presbyteral Council and the Pastoral Council, from which “a synodal Church [can truly] begin to take shape”.[22] Equally valuable will be the contribution of other ecclesial entities to which the Preparatory Document will be sent, as well as that of those who wish to send their own contribution directly. Finally, it will be of fundamental importance that the voice of the poor and excluded also find a place, not only that of those who have some role or responsibility within the particular Churches.

Preparatory Document #31

The Fundamental Question

The fundamental question that will guide this consultation is this: A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together:” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your particular Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”? (PD #26)

Various Facets of Synodality

Pope Francis makes clear in the Preparation Document, that the process for this Synod which is focused on the synodal process is the model for the post-Vatican II, Synodal Church of the third millennium. He identifies what he calls “Ten Thematic Nuclei to be Explored” (PD #30)

1. Journeying Companions
2. Listening
3. Speaking Out
4. Celebrating
5. Co-Responsible in the Mission
6. Dialogue in Church and Society
7. With Other Christian Denominations
8. Authority and Participation
9. Discerning and Deciding
10. Forming Ourselves in Synodality

Online Communicators Listen, Learn and Share

Online communicators have much to learn from this synodal process. We also have something to contribute for we are in a unique position to reflect on our own experiences and articulate the opportunities and the obstacles we encounter using the Internet for mission. When Pope Francis wants this Synod process “to open ourselves to mission,” he is talking about the mission of evangelization—a mission we strive to carry out everyday.

Read the Documents:

The Preparatory Document

The Official Handbook for the Synod for the Listening Phase

In future posts I will offer my own reflections on some of the themes for the synod consultation and as always I welcome your comments.