Joshua Bennett
The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, is a multiyear process to enhance the communion, participation, and mission of the Catholic Church. The synod, which is set to conclude in 2024, is a journey of listening and dialogue encompassing a broad range of issues confronting the Church. The final document of the synod will become part of Catholic teaching if approved by members with moral unanimity and ratified and promulgated by the Pope. The synod has been criticised for a perceived push towards democratising the church and for its lack of progress on issues such as LGBTQ+ outreach and female ordination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Synod on Synodality |
| Dates | 2021-2024 |
| Initiated By | Pope Francis |
| Theme | "For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission" |
| Purpose | To inspire people to dream about the church, to make people's hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts, and restore strength for the common mission |
| Process | Listening, dialogue, and discernment |
| Stages | Diocesan, national, continental, and global |
| Participants | 364 |
| Voting Members | 368 |
| Voting Rights | Women were allowed to vote for the first time |
| Agenda | The role of women, LGBTQ+ inclusion, priestly celibacy, selection of bishops, sexuality, and church governance |
| Outcome | A final report with recommendations for structural changes |
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What You'll Learn
- The Synod on Synodality is a multiyear process initiated by Pope Francis
- The Synod's final recommendations for the Catholic Church were criticised for lacking equity for women
- The Synod's second assembly will consider the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics
- The Synod's first session proposed a series of recommendations for structural changes
- The Synod's final document becomes part of Catholic teaching once ratified by the Pope
The Synod on Synodality is a multiyear process initiated by Pope Francis
The Synod on Synodality has undergone diocesan, national, and continental stages, culminating in two global assemblies at the Vatican. The first month-long session concluded on October 29, 2023, with the finalization of a 42-page synthesis report. The second session, taking place from October 2-27, 2024, will produce a final report presented to Pope Francis for his consideration in issuing related teachings.
The purpose of the Synod on Synodality is not merely to produce documents but to inspire people to dream about the church they aspire to be. It aims to make people's hopes flourish, stimulate trust, foster healing, deepen relationships, promote learning, build bridges, enlighten minds, and strengthen their common mission. The Synod on Synodality provides a platform for open and energetic debate, with the participation of laypeople and the discussion of controversial issues.
The Synod has faced criticism for its perceived introduction of "new doctrines" and failure to address certain issues, such as female ordination and LGBTQ+ outreach. However, it has also been praised for its potential to bring about real change and enhance the communion, participation, and mission of the Church. Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of examining legitimate diversity and addressing controversies that divide local churches. The Synod on Synodality is a significant initiative in the Catholic Church's journey towards renewal and unity.
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The Synod's final recommendations for the Catholic Church were criticised for lacking equity for women
The Catholic Church's Synod on Synodality was a three-year process of listening and dialogue that began in October 2021 and concluded in October 2024. Pope Francis invited the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission. The synod's purpose was to inspire people to dream about the church they are called to be, to make people's hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, to warm hearts, and to restore strength for their common mission.
The outcome was a disappointment for Catholics who had been campaigning for recognition that women share a spiritual calling equal to men's. They also noted that despite the inclusion of women in the synodal process, the working group guiding discussions on women's roles was run by the Roman Curia, operating outside the synod. Kate McElwee, the executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, said, "I think the final document will be received with much disappointment and frustration by many women around the world who are hoping for concrete changes."
While the synod called for more women in leadership roles, the issue of female ordination for roles such as deacons was taken off the table. This was despite the first phase of the synod process concluding it was "urgent" to guarantee fuller participation by women in church governance positions. The synod was also criticised for failing to make progress on the Catholic Church's LGBTQ+ outreach.
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The Synod's second assembly will consider the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics
The Catholic Church's Synod on Synodality, which concluded in October 2024, was a three-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome in October 2021. Each individual diocese and church celebrated the following week. Pope Francis invited the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission. He described the journey as a gift and a task, where the Church will journey and reflect together, learning through experience which processes can help achieve participation and openness to mission.
In preparation for the Synod's General Assembly in October 2024, New Ways Ministry held a "Conversations in the Spirit" program for LGBTQ+ people and allies. The report highlights the desire for greater inclusion and participation in the church from LGBTQ+ Catholics, their loved ones, and allies. One participant shared their hope that the synodal process "will be continuous so that those who are at the bottom can be heard at the top." New Ways Ministry also hosted two Synod delegates, Dr. Shannon Kearns and Robert Shine, for a conversation about what happened at the assembly and how Catholic LGBTQ+ advocates can proceed in the Synod's final year.
While the Synod's final document did not mention LGBTQ+ people by name, there are several sections that can inform Catholic LGBTQ+ ministry, including emphases on caring for marginalized people, promoting social justice, and creating a welcoming church. The document also mentions the need for a common and shared formation, enabling men and women, laity, consecrated persons, ordained ministers, and candidates for ordained ministry to grow together in knowledge, mutual esteem, and collaboration.
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The Synod's first session proposed a series of recommendations for structural changes
The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, is a multiyear process to enhance the communion, participation, and mission of the Church. The Synod is a three-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021, with each individual diocese and church celebrating the following week on October 17. The Synod's first session proposed a series of recommendations for structural changes, including expanding the role of women, decentralizing Church teaching authority, and enhancing the laity's input in decision-making. The Synod's final document, if approved by the members with "moral unanimity" and if the Pope has "granted deliberative power to the Synod Assembly", becomes part of the ordinary Magisterium of Catholic teaching "once it has been ratified and promulgated by him".
The Synod's first session, which concluded on October 29, 2023, with the finalization of a 42-page synthesis report, proposed a series of recommendations for structural changes. These changes include expanding the role of women in the Church, such as allowing them to vote in the synod for the first time, although the issue of female ordination for roles such as deacons was taken off the table. Additionally, there was a perceived push towards democratizing the church, with an emphasis on enhancing the laity's input in decision-making and decentralizing Church teaching authority.
The Synod on Synodality is intended to inspire people to dream about the church, make people's hopes flourish, stimulate trust, and build new and deeper relationships. The handbook offers guidance to bishops on how to solicit the thoughts of lay Catholics, non-Catholics, and non-Christians, with questions and discussion prompts in 10 general themes to promote reflection and input from a wide range of stakeholders. The basic question is how "journeying together" on different levels, from local to universal, allows the church to proclaim the Gospel according to its mission.
While the Synod has been described as a platform for open and energetic debate, it has also received criticism for lacking progress on certain issues. Despite being hailed as a major event for reform, some have described it as underwhelming and comparable to a "mini version" of the Second Vatican Council. The Synod has been criticized for its failure to make significant progress on issues such as female ordination, LGBTQ+ outreach, and the selection of bishops.
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The Synod's final document becomes part of Catholic teaching once ratified by the Pope
The Synod on Synodality is a three-year process of listening, dialogue, and discernment that encompasses a broad range of issues confronting the Catholic Church. Initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, the synod aims to enhance the communion, participation, and mission of the Church.
The synod's final document, if approved by the members and ratified by the Pope, becomes part of Catholic teaching. This document includes the synod's recommendations and proposals for the Catholic Church. While it has been criticized for lacking progress in certain areas, such as female ordination and LGBTQ+ outreach, the synod is still considered a significant event for reform.
The process of the Synod on Synodality involves diocesan, national, and continental stages, culminating in two global assemblies at the Vatican. The first assembly concluded in October 2023 with the finalization of a 42-page synthesis report. The second assembly, which took place from October 2-27, 2024, focused on "How to Be a Missionary Synodal Church."
The synod's voting members considered proposals related to expanding the role of women, decentralizing Church teaching authority, and enhancing the laity's input in decision-making. While women were allowed to vote in the synod for the first time, the issue of female ordination for roles such as deacons was not included in the final document.
The Synod on Synodality is an important event in the Catholic Church, intended to inspire people to dream about the church and make their hopes flourish. It provides a platform for open and energetic debate, allowing the Church to learn and adapt to the needs of its members.
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Frequently asked questions
The new Catholic Synod is the Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021. It is a multiyear process to enhance the communion, participation, and mission of the Church.
The Synod on Synodality is intended to inspire people to dream about the church we are called to be, to make people's hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts, and restore strength.
Some key topics of the Synod on Synodality include the role of women in the Church, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and priestly celibacy.
