What is The Synod 21-24?
It’s an invitation for us, as Catholics, to walk together. Every member of the Church has the right to speak and the obligation to allow those charged with the work of discernment the freedom to do so.
For the first time, the Synod Office in Rome has produced a comprehensive process which encompasses the stated aim of the Holy Father that the Church in today’s world should have a vision of missionary communion orientated to evangelisation.
What has happened so far?
At the end of 2021, our parish submitted a response to the Diocese. This was made up of reflections and responses from parishioners. We were asked to comment on our experience within the Catholic Church and thoughts on what the Church should look like in the future.
The Diocese took this information and combined this with submissions from other parishes and institutions and formed a synthesis listing the common themes raised.
Click to Download the Diocesan Report
This report was submitted to the Bishops Conference of England and Wales and a national response was produced.
Synod: National Synthesis – England and Wales
Bishops reflection on National Synthesis
Next Steps
The Continental Synodal Assembly in Europe
In February 2023 delegates will meet in Prague to discuss the national responses from Europe to feed into the final ‘Universal Phase’
Step
Pray for Guidance
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go, and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity, so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
Listen to our parish representation Joe as he reflects on the Synod process and how we can get involved as individuals and as a parish.
Step
Complete the Questionnaire
Click on the button below to complete a simple questionnaire that will allow you to record your feelings on the Synod. We will use this to complete our parish response which will be given to the Bishop at the beginning of March.
Step
Information from the Bishop’s Conference
A two-year ‘synodal’ process is taking place in the Catholic Church that culminates in the final Synod Gathering of Bishops in Rome in October 2023. The overall theme is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”.
But what exactly is synodality and what does it mean for Catholics in England and Wales? Fr Chris Thomas, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and Father Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission, discuss the process and explain this invitation to communion, participation and mission.