A three-year 'synodal' process took place in the Catholic Church from 2021 to 2024. We are now in an 'Implementation Phase' that will culminate in an ecclesial assembly in the Vatican in October 2028.
For us, as Catholics, the Synod process offered a chance to ‘walk together’ and every member of the Church had the right to speak, and the obligation to allow those charged with the work of discernment the freedom to do so. It is an ongoing process.
On Saturday afternoon, 26 October 2024, the members of the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops approved the Final Document. Pope Francis approved its publication. You can download it in English here:
Diocesan and national organisational reports were submitted to the Bishops’ Conference just before Holy Week 2022. After this, the National Synthesis Team worked to produce the National Synthesis – a document that reflecting on the reports received, discerned the main themes that emerged from the listening conversations, and collated them together to give a picture of the synodal process in England and Wales.
You can read a reflection on the life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales that was offered as part of the ongoing synodal process and in preparation for the second meeting of the Synod of Bishops that took place in Rome during October 2024. Read more.
The Final Document of the Synod on Synodality and a simple, accessible 'take-outs' resource has been produced to help Catholics engage with the Final Document (FD).
The Vatican's Synod Office has released the 'Instrumentum laboris', or working document, that will guide the work of the second session.
The Synthesis Report at the conclusion of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality is published.
A series of reflections given at the Synodal gathering in Rome in October 2023
An Ecumenical Vigil of Prayer will take place on Saturday, 30 September 2023 in St Peter's Square between 5-7pm
Ahead of the 2023 Synod of Bishops in Rome, Fr Jan Nowotnik, a voting member, joins theologian Prof Anna Rowlands to preview the Synod.
Reflection on the life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales offered in preparation for the meeting of the Synod of Bishops in Rome, October 2024.
Released on 20 June 2023, Instrumentum laboris will be the basis for the work of the participants in the General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, which begins in the Vatican in October 2023.
The 'Continental Stage' of the synodal journey aims to deepen our discernment on what has emerged from the previous stage of local and national listening.
The National Synthesis reflects on Synod reports received by the national synthesis team, discerning the main themes that have emerged from the listening conversations, collating them together to give a picture of the synodal process in England and Wales.
The Bishops of England and Wales, having carefully considered the Synodal National Synthesis, offer their initial reflections in the light of our shared faith in Christ and our shared belonging to his Church.
People with disabilities from the world's five continents were invited to actively participate in the Synodal Journey to share their realities in an open dialogue with the Holy See.
As we journey together towards the Synod of Bishops meeting in Rome in 2023 that examines the synodal church in the 21st century, here we offer some useful information prepared by the Bishops' Conference on the process.
Pope Francis has highlighted the importance of ‘mutual listening’ and this will be at the heart of the synodal process throughout the Church and beyond the boundaries of the Church.
Here are some answers, provided by the Bishops' Conference, to frequently asked questions on the synodal process.
The National Synthesis Team is responsible for collating and organising the Synod submissions received from the Dioceses of England and Wales as well as national Catholic organisations and other bodies to produce a National Synthesis for Rome.
The Catholic Dioceses of England and Wales have named contacts taking the lead throughout the local synodal process.
