First Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality

From Oct. 4 - 29, bishops and select delegates, including laypeople, will gather in Rome for the first of a two-part discussion, which will close with a similar gathering in October 2024.

This Synod is intended as a Synodal Process. The aim of this process is not to provide a one-time exercise in synodality, but rather an opportunity for the entire people of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church.

Synodality denotes the particular style that qualifies the life and mission of the Church, expressing her nature as the People of God journeying together. This is reflected in the theme of this Synod: Communion; Participation; and Mission.

Communion

The communion we share finds its deepest roots in the love and unity of the Trinity. Together, we are inspired by listening to the Word of God, through the living Tradition of the Church, and grounded in the sensus fidei that we share. We all have a role to play in discerning and living out God's call for his people.

Participation

Participation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualified and are called to serve one another through the gifts they have each received from the Holy Spirit in baptism. In a synodal Church the whole community is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice on making pastoral decisions that correspond as closely as possible to God's will.

Mission

Our mission is to witness to the love of God in the midst of the whole human family. This Synodal Process has a deeply missionary dimension to it. It is intended to enable the Church to better witness to the Gospel, especially with those who live on the spiritual, social, economic, political, geographical, and existential peripheries of our world.