Synod
October 2024
For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission - FINAL DOCUMENT
Synod on Synodality Concludes
Affective collegiality precedes effective collegiality.
The need to form missionary disciples ....
The room where it happens - Bishop Brendan Leahy
A time of hope and joy - Bishop Alan McGuckian
Technology serving Synodality - Bishop Brendan Leahy
July 2024
Towards October 2024: Second Instrumentum Laboris Published
'Instrumentum Laboris', the text that will guide the work of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod in October has been published by the Vatican.
The 'Instrumentum Laboris', or “working tool” for the upcoming 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, was presented at a July 9, 2024 press conference by Cardinals Mario Grech and Jean-Claude Hollerich, together with the special secretaries of the synodal assembly.
The second October assembly is a continuation of the multiyear Synod on Synodality, which began in October 2021 and has included stages of discernment and discussion at various levels of the Church.
May 2024
Towards October 2024: Ireland’s Summary Document Published
March 2024
Towards October 2024: Diocese of Derry response
Between the XVI Assembly of October 2023 and the XVI Assembly planned for October 2024, the local Churches and the groupings of Churches are invited to contribute by deepening aspects of the Synthesis Report that are fundamental to the Synod's theme.
In Ireland, each diocese is asked to provide a response to the following question: How can we imagine the life of the Church in Ireland where people are co-responsible for the Church’s mission in different ways?
In February and March 2024, the Diocese of Derry held two regional Synodal Listening Days in Galliagh, Derry City and Omagh, Co Tyrone. Aware that the voice of young people was somewhat absent from these gatherings, two further events were organised by the Diocesan Youth Ministry team.
On review of the submissions received at the end of the listening sessions, the following is a synthesis of comments, considerations, concerns and possibilities. The report can be viewed here. This will be part of the Irish response for the next stage of the Universal Synod.
View the ReportLatest News from the Synod
October 2023
Universal Synod's Synthesis Report
On Saturday, 28 October 2023, the members of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops adopted the Synthesis Report which was initially published in Italian.
The official report is now also available in English and can be viewed here
View the ReportJune 2023
First Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
The Instrumentum Laboris, the official working document for the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, was launched on 20 June 2023. A large number of people from various parts of the world with different expertise prepared this important text which will animate all the work of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (4th-29th October 2023).
View the document Instrumentum LaborisFebruary 2023
European Continental Assembly - part of the Universal Synod
The continental stage of the Synod is organised by the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, in collaboration with the Czech Bishops' Conference and the Archdiocese of Prague.
Venue: Prague (Czech Republic)
Dates: 5 - 12 February 2023
From 5 to 12 February 2023, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh along with thirteen other delegates from across Ireland, attended the first ever European Assembly of a Synod within the Catholic Church, in Prague, Czechia.
This was one of seven continental assemblies convening across five continents in a new stage of the universal Synodal Process.
View the Assembly final remarks
View what the Bishops have commited to
December 2022
Diocese of Derry Synod Working Group Reflection on the Continental Stage of the Universal Synod
December 2022
The Secretariat for the Synod in Rome released the working document for the Continental Stage of the Universal Synod on Thursday, 27th October 2022. This is the fruit of the syntheses received from 112 Bishops’ Conferences, including Ireland that is unprecedented in the history of the Church. The Continental Stage document can be downloaded here.
The Diocese of Derry synod working group were invited to read through and compare the Diocese of Derry submission, Ireland's National Synthesis, and the Document for the Continental Stage and submit their responses by 22nd December 2022. This reflection is published below for reading and sharing.
May 2022
Diocese of Derry Synod Report
May 2022
The people of the Diocese of Derry have taken part in parish discussions, online contributions and deanery gatherings during recent months in response to the call from Pope Francis about the next Synod.
The fruit of this listening has been collated and a synthesis is now submitted to form part of a national synthesis. This diocesan document is published below for reading and sharing.
The entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops! This Synod is entitled: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”
Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together. This Synod is not just another meeting with oral presentations and written reports. This Synod is a process of journeying together by listening, dialoguing, praying, discerning and making decisions together for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis is asking each local diocese to gather – clergy, religious and laity together- to listen to each other. The “goal” of this journeying together is not to create a new vision or pastoral plan with objectives. Rather, the goal of our journeying together is to be present with one another, to listen and learn with each other, and to grow closer to the Lord and His Church.
Diocese of Derry Synod on Synodality Timeline
October 2021
Preparation
Preparing materials for the consultation process.
October 2021
28 November 2021
Guided catechesis
Guided catechesis each Sunday of Advent... view >
Sunday, 28th November, 5th, 12th and 19th December.
Early January 2022
Training
Early January 2022
Sunday, 16 January 2022
Listening
Period of local consultation and listening sessions.
Friday, 29 April 2022
Parish Response to Listening Gatherings
Friday, 29 April 2022
May 2022
Deanery Gatherings - Sharing Fruits Together
Sunday, 29th May 2022
Diocesan Synthesis - Diocese of Derry Report
View the Synod report.
Sunday, 29th May 2022
December 2022
Diocese of Derry reflection on the Continental Stage of the Universal Synod
View the Reflection.
Irish Synodal Pathway
The process explained
Fr Eamonn also explains that "This process is not meant to be a burden on anyone. It is not meant to draw energy from the work going on in each parish as people attend the urgent needs of their own community"
Synod on Synodality
All you need to know
What are we being asked to do?
The Holy Father, Pope Francis is asking that the entire Church participate in this Synod. The faithful, clergy and religious are invited to pray, listen, and talk together with the Bishops before the 2023 gathering of Bishops in Rome. In our Diocese, we will pray, listen and talk with one another through parish and diocesan listening sessions.
"This is the start of our Synodal Journey"
Help for Parishes
Guidance and promotion materials
Parish Preparation
RESOURCE GUIDES & VIDEOS
Parish Promotion
LOGO, BANNERS...
Banners for Churches, Prayer Cards, Posters and more.
Parish Listening Session
TOOLKIT
This toolkit will help priests and parishes understand and implement the diocesan Synod plan.