ABOVE: Pope Francis gives his blessing at the conclusion of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops’ last working session on Oct. 28, 2023, in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
By Sr. Katie Eiffe, contributing writer
The First Session of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops took place at the Vatican in Rome, encompassing the month of October 2023. Shortly thereafter, the Vatican issued a Letter to the People of God, followed shortly by a more comprehensive Synthesis Report on the proceedings, entitled A Synodal Church in Mission. That document was divided into three sections:
- The Face of the Synodal Church, which reflected on “the practice and understanding of synodality” as the Church has experienced it thus far.
- All Disciples, All Missionaries, which dealt with “all those involved in the life and mission of the Church and their relationships with one another.”
- Weaving Bonds, Building Communities presented synodality “mainly as a set of processes and as a network of bodies enabling exchange between the Churches and dialog with the world.”
The introduction to the document includes this inspiring statement: “Despite our diversity of backgrounds, languages and cultures, through the common grace of Baptism we have been able to live these days together with one heart and spirit … The Holy Spirit has gifted us with an experience of the harmony that He alone can generate; it is a gift and a witness in a world that is torn and divided.”
Sister Katie Eiffe
The Synod then focused on twenty topics, issues which had arisen in the consultation phases which took place throughout the world. For each topic, the document speaks of convergences, matters for consideration, and proposals. Those topics included “Synodality: Experience and Understanding”, “Church is Mission”, ”Women in the Life and Mission of the Church”, and ”Structures for Participation” among others.
Now we are in the Interim Phase – the time between the First Session and the Second Session which will be held in October 2024.
Dioceses have been asked to do deeper and broader consultation by holding two to three additional listening sessions, focusing on how the Church can continue to learn to be a synodal Church in Mission. Recall the theme of the Synod: Communion, Participation, Mission.
Those listening sessions will focus on two levels – the local Church (diocese), and the relationship between Churches and with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.
The full documents referenced here are on the Diocesan Website on the “Synod” tab. (https://syracusediocese.org/diocesan-synod)
At the time of this writing, Bishop Lucia and I are in the process of scheduling listening sessions, hoping to provide further opportunities for people across the diocese to engage with and participate in these broader and deeper conversations in the Spirit. “Stay tuned” to The Catholic Sun, Catholic TV, our social media platforms and the diocesan website — syracusediocese.org — for more specific information in the days to come.
Editor’s note: Sr. Katie Eiffe is Director of Synodal Planning for our diocese. She also serves as Vicar for Religious.
