Walking Together as the Church in Ireland

Since 2021, the Catholic Church in Ireland has been journeying together on a Synodal Pathway – a process of listening, prayer, and discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit. This pathway was first announced by the Irish Bishops' Conference in 2020, inspired by Pope Francis' call to build a synodal Church: one of communion, participation, and mission. Over the past four years, parishes, dioceses, and communities have shared their hopes, challenges, and experiences of faith in today's Ireland.

This journey will lead to a National Synodal Assembly in October 2026, a historic moment of renewal for the Church in Ireland.

As part of the preparations, a Pre-Synodal Assembly will take place in Kilkenny on Saturday, 18th October 2025. Delegates from every diocese across the country will gather to reflect on the insights and priorities that have emerged during local consultations. Bishop Donal McKeown will lead the delegation from the Diocese of Derry.

To guide these conversations, a document entitled Baptised and Sent – Preparatory Document for the Pre-Synodal Assembly has been published. This text brings together contributions from the spring gatherings held across Ireland earlier this year and highlights the themes that the Spirit is calling the Church in Ireland to attend to at this time.

Although not all of us will be in Kilkenny, the Synodal Pathway belongs to all of us. You are warmly invite you to:

• Read the Preparatory Document and reflect on the emerging priorities.
• Share your reflections at home, in your parish, in your school, or wherever two or three gather in His name.
• Pray for the delegates who will gather in Kilkenny, that the Holy Spirit will guide their listening and discernment.

The Synodal Pathway is not about one meeting, but about building a culture of listening and walking together as Christ's people. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, as the Church in Ireland, we continue to listen for what the Spirit is saying today.