XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops An introduction to the Synod of Bishops Credit: Sydney Centre for Evangelisation INTRODUCTION | DIOCESAN CONSULTATION | CONTRIBUTING AS A GROUP | REFLECTING AS AN INDIVIDUAL | SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSEOTHER RESOURCES | PREPARING SYNTHESIS DOCUMENTS | THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS AND THE PLENARY COUNCIL | NEWS Introduction In March 2020, Pope Francis announced that the theme for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023 would be “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”.The journey towards the celebration of the Synod opened in October 2021 in dioceses around the world and Pope Francis has invited the entire Church to reflect on this theme that is decisive for its life and mission. All Catholics are invited to take part in the diocesan consultation process to promote a sense of communion and journeying together. Australian Diocesan Consultation Phase (October 2021-April 2022) The fundamental question that guides this consultation of the People of God is the following: A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together:” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your particular Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”? In order to respond, you are invited to read and reflect on the questions in the material provided and submit your response. You can contribute as a group or as an individual. Contributing as a group Reflecting on Synodality as a group is the best way to journey together. Contact your parish/diocese to find out how you can join a group. Or, get together with friends and family to form your own group! You may even want to consider reaching out to others beyond your parish community and invite them to take part. Their voice matters too! Use the guides below (one for each theme) and follow the instructions within the guide to submit your response. Listening and Discernment Guide Session I - Communion Listening and Discernment Guide Session II - Participation Listening and Discernment Guide Session III - Mission Reflecting as an individual You may also wish to reflect on the synod questions as an individual: Here are the resources to guide you through the process. Individual Reflection Guide Questions for Reflection (English) In other languages: Arabic | Croatian | Filipino | Italian | Malayalam | Polish | Spanish (more languages to follow) Submit your response The period for online submissions through the portal has now closed. If you would like to make an individual or group submission, please send it directly to your diocese. For information on diocesan contacts, email ncpr@catholic.org.au NEW Preparing Synthesis Documents Suggestions for Preparing Synthesis Documents Vademecum Extract -- Preparing the Diocesan Synthesis Other Resources NEW Diocesan Pre-Synodal Meeting - Guide to Liturgical Resource NEW Diocesan Pre-Synodal Meeting - Full Liturgical Resource Trifold Brochure -- "Coffee Conversations" Synod of Bishops prayer A4 Synod of Bishops prayer A5 Access the Synod of Bishops prayer in other languages Yarning Circle Resource -- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council Logo for Synod of Bishops Official Synod of Bishops website Preparatory document for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Vademecum (handbook) for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Synod of Bishops Social Media Toolkit The Synod of Bishops and the Plenary Council The Catholic Church in Australia is currently celebrating the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, with assemblies in October 2021 and July 2022. The Plenary Council and Synod of Bishops processes will overlap, and a national committee has created a timeline to explain how the processes will unfold. Click here to access the Synod of Bishops and Plenary Council timeline (updated February 18, 2022) News Deadline extended for local Synod of Bishops submissions -- ACBC Media Blog | February 18, 2022 Local submissions rolling in for Synod of Bishops -- ACBC Media Blog | February 2, 2022 Bishops elected as Australian representatives to Synod of Bishops -- ACBC Media Blog | December 1, 2021 New timeline for local Synod of Bishops consultation -- ACBC Media Blog | November 18, 2021 Dioceses making plans for Synod of Bishops journey -- ACBC Media Blog | November 3, 2021 Local consultation opens for global Synod of Bishops -- ACBC Media Blog | October 19, 2021 Australian dioceses prepare for Synod of Bishops launch -- ACBC Media Blog | October 14, 2021 Experts see synod as ‘biggest consultation exercise in human history’ -- Crux | October 11, 2021 Australia has helped shape Synod of Bishops -- ACBC Media Blog | October 8, 2021 National committee begins work on Synod of Bishops process -- ACBC Media Blog | September 21, 2021 Australians to help prepare 2023 Synod -- CathNews | July 22, 2021 Information about the Synod of Bishops will be provided on this website. Check back regularly for updates.
