The Synod of Bishops 2023

Cardinal Mario Grech speaks with Polish bishops during a meeting on the Synod (archive photo)

30/01/2023

Cardinal Grech: There is no synod without a bishop

In an interview with Vatican Radio, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Mario Grech, explains the role of the Bishops in the synodal process, and why it is ...

Bishops and faithful together at the opening of the synodal process

30/01/2023

Letter from Synod leaders highlights crucial role of Bishops in synodal process

In a letter addressed to all the diocesan and eparchial bishops throughout the world, the General Secretary and the General Relator of the Synod offer considerations on the role of ...

Listening session with Bishop Rojas, Diocese of San Bernardino, California

29/01/2023

Synod: ‘The Holy Spirit is calling us back to the basics’

Sr Leticia Salazar, Chancellor of the Diocese of San Bernardino in the US state of California, says the ongoing Synodal process she has participated in has “transformed” her.

Photogram of the Regional Episcopal Conferences in Africa

18/01/2023

Africa’s regional secretaries-general share Synod outcomes and challenges

The Vatican’s General Secretariat of the Synod tells Catholic African media professionals that the Church counts on them to circulate clear and precise information about the Synod ...

File photo of a Synod meeting in the Vatican

18/01/2023

Cardinal Grech encourages prayerful synodality

The Secretary General of the Synod, Cardinal Mario Grech, speaks at webinar launching a formation course on synodality, and recalls the power of prayerful synodality and welcoming ...

09/01/2023

Synod: second on-line course on synodality to start in February

In the lead-up to the Synod of Bishops on synodality in October, Catholic institutions prepare to hold their second Intercontinental Massive Online Course (MOOC) focused on the ...

Cardinal Mario Grech lights a candle at a recent event in India (© Synod.va)

16/12/2022

Registration opens for online Synod course on synodality

The General Secretariat for the Synod teams up with Sophia University Institute to offer a multilingual online course to explore the theme of synodality.

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas (archive photo by Mariusz Krawiec)

14/12/2022

Looking for the Catholic way of synodality

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas and Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich present Europe’s continental phase of the Synod, one more step in the process of “walking together, striving to be a ...

Participants at the SECAM meeting in Accra, Ghana

14/12/2022

SECAM: Towards an African Synodal Document.

The first phase of a three days working sessions of the African Synodal working group of experts under the auspices of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and ...

Fr Rafael Simbini Júnior, SECAM Secretary General.

13/12/2022

SECAM: Towards an African Synodal document.

The first phase of a three-day working session of Africa’s Synodal process under the auspices of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has ended ...

(File) SECAM plenary in session, Ghana July 2022

07/12/2022

SECAM convenes meeting of Africa’s Synodal team

SECAM is working towards a Synodal Continental Assembly scheduled for March 2023.

2019.10.26 Sinodo dei Vescovi sedicesima Congregazione generale

28/11/2022

Synod for a Synodal Church: dialogue, listening and discernment continue

Leaders of the continental stage of the Synod for a Synodal Church meet in Rome on Monday and Tuesday, providing them the opportunity of meeting directly with the Secretariat of ...

Adjunct Prof. Susan Pascoe and Dr. Christina Kheng as they were participating in the General Conference of the 50th anniversary of the FABC, 28 October 2022

28/11/2022

Synod on synodality: Harnessing 'sensus fidei fidelium'

In a ‘synodal style’ interview with Vatican News, two women involved in the various stages of the Synod for a Synodal Church speak about how the People of God are finding their ...

28/10/2022

Synod: Church leaders welcome Document for Continental Stage

As the Church gears up for the continental phase of the Synod on synodality, local Catholic Church leaders are encouraging the people of God to continue walking together in the ...

The group of experts that met at Frascati

27/10/2022

Synod: Voices of excluded heard in Document for Continental Phase

The Synod of Bishops publishes the text that will provide a “frame of reference” and form the basis for the work of the second stage of the synodal path launched by Pope Francis in ...

Susan Pascoe, presenting to the FABC General Conference, 26 October 2022

26/10/2022

Susan Pascoe to FABC: Synod document is genuine voice of People of God

Susan Pascoe, a member of the team who drafted the Synod Continental Document shares with delegates at the FABC General Conference how Pope Francis was involved in the process.

File photo of Pope Francis meeting with Cardinals in the Synod Hall

16/10/2022

Pope: Synod Assembly of Bishops to be held in 2023 and 2024

Pope Francis announces that the Assembly meetings of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality will take place in two sessions: in October 2023 and October 2024.

Pope St John XXIII enters St Peter's Basilica for the Opening of the Second Vatican Council

10/10/2022

Secretariat of Synod sends message for Vatican II anniversary

Sixty years on from the opening of the Second Vatican Council, the General Secretariat of the Synod says the anniversary is a moment of “particular grace” for the Synod and the ...

The entrance to the Pontifical Lateran University, which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its foundation

05/10/2022

Cardinal Grech: Synodal process is mature fruit of Vatican II

As the Pontifical Lateran University begins the celebration of the 250th anniversary of its founding, Cardinal Mario Grech reflects on the Second Vatican Council and synodality.

Pope Francis visits an indigenous parish in Edmonton during his Apostolic Journey to Canada in July

30/09/2022

Reconciliation with indigenous a priority for Canada’s Bishops

The Bishops of Canada wrap up their first in-person Plenary Assembly since 2019, and pledge to continue “to walk together with Indigenous Partners on the Healing and Reconciliation ...

2022.09.28 NON USARE copertina del video 04 della Segreteria del Sinodo 28 settembre 2022

29/09/2022

Synod: An exercise in hope

As the Synod on Synodality enters a new phase, we bring you the fourth in a series of videos to explore how the continental phase is being prepared, following the completion of ...

copertina del video 03 della Segreteria del Sinodo 26 settembre 2022

26/09/2022

What women are saying about the Synod

As the Synod on Synodality enters a new phase, we bring you the third in a series of videos to explore how the continental phase is being prepared, following the completion of ...

25/09/2022

Synod: Learning to discern

As the Synod on Synodality enters a new phase, we bring you the second in a series of videos to explore how the continental phase is being prepared, following the completion of ...

23/09/2022

The Synod enters its continental phase

As the Synod on Synodality enters a new phase, we bring you the first in a series of videos to explore how the continental phase is being prepared, following the completion of ...

21/09/2022

US Bishops issue Synthesis finalizing diocesan phase of Synod

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) releases the “National Synthesis of the People of God in the United States of America” outlining common themes raised in synod ...

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg

26/08/2022

Cardinal Hollerich: Spirit at work in the Synod

At a press conference introducing the Continental Stage of the Synodal Process, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, says the first stage of the Synod produced a great hope that ...

A Catholic community in the Czech Republic

04/08/2022

Synod in the Czech Republic: Participation ‘beyond expectations’

Sister Klára Maliňáková, a religious of the Infant Jesus Sisters, reflects on the synodal process in the Czech Republic, saying the Church is called to a deeper response, a ...

SECAM President, Cardinal-designate Bishop Baawobr flanked by the two SECAM vice presidents and some religious sisters in Ghana.

01/08/2022

Bishops of Africa: It is painful to see young people leave the continent.

Catholic Bishops of Africa call for dedicated pastoral care of migrants, saying it pains to see young people leave the continent on journeys that lead to suffering and death.

At the SIGNIS Congress in Kigali, Rwanda: Cardinal Antoine Kambanda with Bishop Filippe Rukamba (middle) and Msgr. Janvier Yameogo of the Dicastery for Communication.

17/07/2022

SIGNIS Africa discusses the Synodal way in church communication structures.

Describing the importance of listening and walking together as a Synodal Church, the just ended SIGNIS Africa Congress says Church communication structures in Africa would do well ...

Diocesan Synod leaders participate in National Synod Day, 1 June 2022

28/06/2022

National Synod process ‘opens new horizon’ for Church in England & Wales

The National Synthesis summing up the Synodal process in England and Wales reports an “awakening in the faithful of a desire for discipleship”.

25/06/2022

WMOF: The family is a vital instrument of evangelization

A married couple from Cameroon, present at the 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome, represent both “family” and Diocesan “Coordinators of the Family Life Apostolate”. They bring ...

The Papal Cross in Phoenix Park in Dublin

17/06/2022

Irish Bishops end summer meeting on Synodal process

The Catholic Bishops of Ireland wrap up their Summer 2022 General Meeting in Maynooth, as Irish Church prepares for its National Pre-Synodal Assembly to take place on 18 June.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass to open the Synod of Bishops in October 2021

09/06/2022

Synod: Series of free online courses on discernment and decision making

A host of Catholic institutions are teaming up to offer a series of free, online courses to explore discernment and decision making in the Church, as part of the ongoing Synod on ...

Opening Mass for the National Synod Day in St George's Cathedral, Southwark

02/06/2022

National Synod Day for Church in England and Wales

Members of the hierarchy, clergy, and laity, who have coordinated the diocesan synodal conversations in England and Wales, participate in a National Synod Day.

20/05/2022

Church welcomes people with disabilities in synodal process

Two Vatican dicasteries hold a listening session on the theme “The Church is your home: The contribution of persons with disabilities to the Synod on Synodality,” in order to give ...

Cardinal Parolin celebrates Mass in Mexico City

27/04/2022

Cardinal Parolin in Mexico to mark 30 years of diplomatic relations

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin visits Mexico to mark the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy See, and celebrates the opening ...

26/04/2022

UISG plenary to focus on the synodal experience in religious life

The 22nd Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) is scheduled to meet in Rome from 2 to 6 May, and their encounter will be explored at a press conference in ...

Archbishop Benjamin Ndiaye of Dakar in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall

26/03/2022

Dakar Archbishop urges Senegalese Catholics to witness to Christian identity

Archbishop Benjamin Ndiaye of Dakar encourages the Catholic faithful in Senegal to greater participation in the synodal process through mutual listening and respect, urging them to ...

Cardinal Mario Grech meets with people in Poland

21/03/2022

Cardinal Grech warns Ukrainian women, children at risk of trafficking

Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, sounds the alarm about the risk Ukrainian women and children refugees face at the hands of human traffickers.

The Church must be a hospitable house with open doors

19/03/2022

Letter to priests: May the Church be a hospitable home

The Secretary-General of the Synod of Bishops and the Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy write a joint letter to all the priests of the world urging them to continue ...

Synod discussion in the Diocese of Cabinda, Angola.

17/03/2022

Angola. The synodal process is well underway in various dioceses of Angola and São Tomé.

The experience of the Synod consultations continues to draw many of the Catholic faithful in the different dioceses of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST).

German Bishops gather online for a video conference in February 2021

11/03/2022

Nordic Bishops ‘concerned’ about German Church’s synodal path

The Bishops of Scandinavia send an open letter to the Bishops’ Conference of Germany, and express their ‘fraternal concern’ over the direction and content of the German Church’s ...

11/03/2022

Colloquium highlights dimensions of synodal path in Africa

A synodal conference gathering African Catholics reflects on the concerns and challenges of African Catholics, as the universal Church continues on the two-year synodal process ...

Synodal Consultation in the Archdiocese of Libreville, Gabon.

10/03/2022

Gabon’s synodal process: Assuring the lay faithful that their voice counts.

Coordinator of the synodal consultation in Gabon’s Archdiocese of Libreville, Father Jean Davy Ndangha Mbome, has said that initially, the faithful of the diocese were not sure if ...

Pope Francis meets with the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops on 11 October 2021

07/02/2022

Synod of Bishops offers initial assessment of synodal process

The Synod of Bishops releases an initial report on the synodal process currently being held at the diocesan level, and lays out the criteria for reports prepared by dioceses, ...

“For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”.

23/01/2022

African prelates devising innovative ways of making the synod accessible to the faithful.

As the universal Church prepares for the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in 2023, prelates in Africa are translating base documents and reaching ...

Bishop António Juliasse F. Sandramo, Apostolic Administrator of Pemba (Mozambique.

20/12/2021

Mozambique: Bishop says Synodal journey is a moment of privilege for every Christian.

Mozambique’s Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Pemba says that the synodal journey embarked upon by the Church is an essential milestone in the life of every Christian.

Christmas shopping on Oxford Street, London

20/12/2021

Archbishop Longley: Christmas a time to listen, reflect and pray

As Christian communities prepare for the birth of Our Lord at Christmas, Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, in England, speaks about the challenges at this time of year due ...

Pope Francis celebrates his 85th birthday

17/12/2021

Happy 85th birthday Pope Francis: "Ad multos annos!"

Messages of felicitation pour in as the Holy Father turns 85 on Friday. Cardinal Michael Czerny reflects on how some of the issues he champions give us an insight into his ...

16/12/2021

Council of Cardinals meets to discuss local enthusiasm for Synod

The Council of Cardinal advisors wraps up a three-day meeting in the Vatican, examining the progress of the Synod of Bishops and the ongoing health crisis due to the pandemic.

Pope Francis Apostolic Journey to Cyprus

03/12/2021

A "Patient Church”: in Cyprus Pope Francis sheds light on the synodal process

The Pope’s words in Cyprus on Thursday portray an identikit of Christian communities that allow people to grow through accompaniment, without complaining or harbouring nostalgia ...

Pope Francis at the opening of the Italian Bishops' General Assembly

23/11/2021

Pope Francis opens Italian Bishops’ Assembly in Rome

Pope Francis had a private conversation with Italian Bishops on Monday at the opening of their Extraordinary General Assembly, which will be focused on the ongoing synodal process. ...

2019.10.02 MARIO GRECH di MALTA pro segretario generale del Sinodo dei Vescovi

17/11/2021

Card. Grech to US bishops: “Let the pastors not be afraid to listen to the flock"

Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary-General of the Synod of Bishops, addresses a video message to US Bishops encouraging them in the Church’s ongoing synodal process and urging ...

Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria

12/11/2021

Abp Akubeze: The Nigerian Church is not shy of confronting challenges

Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), reflects on the synodal process among the faithful in Nigeria, as the Church continues ...

Pope Francis presides at Mass for the opening of the Synod of Bishops on 10 October 2021 at St. Peter's Basilica

29/10/2021

Deadline extended for first phase of the synodal process

The General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops extends the deadline for the first phase of the synodal process to 15 August 2022.

27/10/2021

Pope Francis donates $170,000 to Church in Syria

Meeting with Syrian Bishops in Damascus, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri announced that the Holy Father will give a contribution to their charitable work for the most needy in the ...

20/10/2021

Patriarch Pizzaballa: Synod must be illuminated by the Word of God

In a Pastoral Letter on the 2021-2023 Synod, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa says all ecclesial communities should get involved, and suggests the method of the two Disciples of ...

Cardinal Oswald Gracias presents the Synod handbook at the Mass to launch the diocesan synodal process in Bombay, Oct. 17, 2021.

19/10/2021

Card. Gracias launches synodal process for a listening and inclusive Church

A week after Pope Francis launched a 2-year-long process in preparation for the 2023 Synod of Bishops, Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay inaugurated it at the level of his ...

19/10/2021

'Click To Pray' 2.0 at the service of the synodal process

A new and updated version of the Pope’s prayer app helps the faithful pray for a synodal Church.

2021.10.13 Venezuelan theologian Rafael Luciani

14/10/2021

A theologian's take on how the 2023 Synod is a turning point for the Church

As the two-year global consultation process leading to the 2023 Synod begins, Venezuelan theologian Rafael Luciani highlights the importance of this epochal event for the Church ...

13/10/2021

Cardinal Schönborn: the synodal process asks us to listen, to share, to discern

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, discusses the meaning of the word synodality, and its origins, as the process culminating with the 2023 Synod of Bishops on ...

12/10/2021

Let us be inspired by St. Joseph in the synodal process

In an interview with Vatican media, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of People, talks about his devotion to St. Joseph in this ...

12/10/2021

Cardinal Nichols: The synodal process is focused on listening

The president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales highlights the importance of listening in the synodal process leading up to the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the ...

2021.10.10 Santa Messa per l'inizio del cammino sinodale

10/10/2021

Pope: Celebrating Synod means walking together on the same road

Pope Francis celebrated Mass at St Peter’s Basilica for the solemn opening of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in three stages over the next two years.

Pope Francis joins Cardinal advisors in Monday's online meeting

22/09/2021

Council of Cardinals meets to discuss next Synod of Bishops

The Holy See Press Office says the Council of Cardinal met online on Monday to speak about the next Synod of Bishops on the topic of synodality.

Pope Francis meets with the faithful of the Diocese of Rome

18/09/2021

Pope to Rome's faithful: Synodality expresses the nature of the Church

In a discourse to the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis describes the Synodal process due to begin in October and the importance of the diocese as the Church works ...

File photo from the 2019 Synod of Bishops

07/09/2021

Listening to the Faithful: Vatican releases Synod Preparatory Document

The General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops presents the base text and “vademecum” – or handbook – to guide the journey of the Synod on Synodality.

23/07/2021

Sister Becquart: there is no synodality without spirituality

The Under-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops recalls the themes of the 1 July Day of Study and Reflection noting that as Pope Francis has stated, the synodal experience is a journey ...

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