In unprecedented letter, synod urges more synodality
An unprecedented letter published by the synod on synodality Wednesday said that the Church should focus more on the idea of synodality ahead of the October 2024 final session of the Church’s years-long consultative process.
The Oct. 25 text also emphasized discipleship of Jesus Christ, and commitment to both service of the poor and protection of the environment.
“We hope that the months leading to the second [Vatican] session in October 2024 will allow everyone to concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word ‘synod,’” said the letter, which was addressed to Catholics around the world.
“This is not about ideology, but about an experience rooted in the apostolic tradition,” the letter added.
The letter was published Wednesday afternoon, as more than 300 of the synod on synodality’s delegates deliberate on an interim report they’ll publish later this week. The aim of the synod on synodality is to recommend to the pope how the Church might better engage Catholics around the world in “synodality” — a process of common prayer, listening, and discernment of God’s will for the Church.
“To progress in its discernment, the Church absolutely needs to listen to everyone, starting with the poorest. This requires a path of conversion on its part, which is also a path of praise,” the letter said.
