Synod 2021-2024
Synthesis Report of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (Update November 2023)
After a month-long presence in Rome during the Synod on Communion, Participation, and Mission, the synod delegates have returned to their homes with gratitude-filled hearts. For weeks, they engaged in conversations in the Spirit about a myriad of hopes, concerns, and questions which Catholics and people of faith around the world have asked to be addressed. In the late afternoon of Saturday 28 October 2023, the members of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops adopted the following Synthesis Report.
After a month-long presence in Rome during the Synod on Communion, Participation, and Mission, the synod delegates have returned to their homes with gratitude-filled hearts. For weeks, they engaged in conversations in the Spirit about a myriad of hopes, concerns, and questions which Catholics and people of faith around the world have asked to be addressed. In the late afternoon of Saturday 28 October 2023, the members of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops adopted the following Synthesis Report.
What is the Synod?
In its technical sense a synod is a gathering of church leaders to discuss matters of faith or church practice. The word literally means “journeying together” (from the Greek word synodía), to indicate that this process should always be done in the company of others and never alone.
What is that is the purpose?
The objective of this synodal process is not merely to offer a brief or singular encounter of unity, but rather to present a chance for the entire People of God to collectively determine the way forward in the journey toward becoming a more synodal Church over the long haul.
"We recall that the purpose of the Synod is not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands."
In its technical sense a synod is a gathering of church leaders to discuss matters of faith or church practice. The word literally means “journeying together” (from the Greek word synodía), to indicate that this process should always be done in the company of others and never alone.
What is that is the purpose?
The objective of this synodal process is not merely to offer a brief or singular encounter of unity, but rather to present a chance for the entire People of God to collectively determine the way forward in the journey toward becoming a more synodal Church over the long haul.
"We recall that the purpose of the Synod is not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands."