This Synod is about the Church becoming a synodal Church, meaning that everyone in the Church has a part to play in our common mission. The Second Vatican Council reinvigorated the sense that all the baptised, both the hierarchy and the laity, are called to be active participants in the saving mission of the Church. We have received the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation and so have received gifts for the renewal and building up of the Church, as members of the Body of Christ. The purpose of this process is to discern God’s will for the Church in these times.

Pope Francis is keen that we integrate the theme of journeying together (synodality) into our local way of working. This means that all the people of the local Church, clergy, religious and laity are called to listen together to each other and to the Holy Spirit to discover what God’s will is for the Church as we move forward. It is, firstly, a spiritual process that we follow by praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It also involves listening to each other in a spirit of prayer and openness.

As a parish, we contributed to the Diocesan submission. Please see the following link to the document from the Final Session of the Synod in October 2024.