Diocese of St. Catharines Synod 2021-23 Consultaton Summary Report
Regional Syntheses
National Report
Click to read report (English)
Letter of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to the People of God (2023 October 25)
To read the letter in English, click here or in French, click here
Synthesis Report from First Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to the People of God (November 2023) The Participants in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God. The text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse.
It is not a final document, but an “instrument at the service of ongoing discernment“.
The Synthesis Report is structured in three parts:
The first outlines “the face of the synodal Church”, presenting the practice and understanding of synodality and its theological underpinning.
The second part, entitled “All disciples, all missionaries”, deals with all those involved in the life and mission of the Church and their relationships with one another.
The third part bears the title “Weaving bonds, building community”.
Episcopal Conferences are now called to focus on the questions and proposals that are considered most urgent, all this sustained by a climate of mutual listening and sincere dialogue.
Click to read report (English) (French)
For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission
What is Synodality?
Synodality is the path and process of the Church in which all the baptized listen to each other, dialoguing with each other and praying together to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. In creating the opportunity for listening and dialogue on the local level, Pope Francis is calling the Church to rediscover its deeply synodal nature.
The practice of living as a synodal Church involves communion, participation and mission. Through synodality, the People of God talk to one another about things that matter, even when their opinions differ. This attentive, respectful listening and conversation opens the path to personal transformation and the deepening sense of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. A new sense of one’s place in the Church begins to take hold. Excitement and joy are felt as one’s baptismal call to evangelize and proclaim the Gospel is given a new importance.
Across the diocese, beginning in February 2021, parishes will be hosting what the Diocesan Synod Organizing Committee is naming Listening Sessions. Whether in-person or using virtual platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet, small groups will gather and, with the help of a trained facilitator, will pray together and discuss several common questions in a focused and reflective way.
Together, through this synodal process, matters of faith and modern challenges can be discerned, allowing the Church to grow in its mission for the third millennium.
SYNOD ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Email: synod2021@saintcd.com
Phone: 905-684-0154
Mailing Address:
Diocese of St. Catharines
P.O. Box 875
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6Z4
Letter from Bishop Gerard Bergie
