Synod For a Synodal Church
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Final Document of the XVI Assembly
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On October 26, 2024, the members of the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops approved the Final Document. Pope Francis approved its publication.
The Final Document is available for now only in the original Italian. A working translation in English is available. Other language versions will be available soon. Visit the Synod website at www.synod.va/en.
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Where We Have Been
- 1: Diocesan Phase
- 2: Episcopal Conference Phase
- 3. Continental Phase
- 4. Universal Phase
- 5. Interim Phase
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On June 30, 2022, the Diocesan Team submitted to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, our synthesis representing the voice of the People of God. Our sincere gratitude to each of you who participated, prayed and joined in this critical process.
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The USCCB has gathered the reports from each diocese in the United States to create one report from the United States. This is The Episcopal Conference/Synods of Oriental Churches Phase of the Synodal process.
The National Synthesis of the People of God in the United States of America. The synthesis marks the completion of the Diocesan Phase of the 2021-2023 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.
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The USCCB has joined with the Canadian and Mexican Conference of Bishops in The Continental Phase of the Synodal Process. In this phase three, a single report has been made to synthesize trending topics, concerns, joys and highlights for the whole of North America. The single report will be sent off to the Vatican where Pope Francis will review the reports in The Universal Phase.
The North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod marks the end of the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.
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Following the Continental Phase, The members of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2023) adopted the Synthesis Report. We now enter the Interim Phase of Diocesan Consultation Sessions and look forward to the 2024 Assembly of Bishops.
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Following 2023’s diocesan phase which culminated in the October 2023 Synod Gathering in Rome with the Holy Father, this October will be a second gathering in Rome, which was the catalyst of our recent Interim Phase. The Diocese of Austin Interim Phase Synthesis is a result of five gatherings hosted across the diocese in February and March 2024 which included:
- A gathering in English at St. Albert the Great in Austin;
- A gathering in Spanish at San Jose in Austin;
- A gathering in English at St. Mary’s College Station;
- A gathering of diocesan staff; and
- A gathering with twelve priest representatives of the entire presbyterate.
This diocesan synthesis was sent to Region 10 to be incorporated into the national synthesis, The National Synthesis for the Interim Stage will, along with the contributions of episcopal conferences worldwide, form the basis of the work to be engaged by the Catholic Church until the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod in October 2024.
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BackgroundThe entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the Synod of Bishops! The Synod is entitled: "For a Synodal Church: COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION, and MISSION." Synod is a Greek word (synodos) meaning a meeting or assembly. The two Greek words that make up Synod are syn meaning together and hodos meaning way of journey. Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together! This Synod is a process of journeying together. As the Church, we will listen to each other, dialogue with each other, pray together, discern together and make decisions together for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world!
¡Toda la Iglesia Católica está llamada a participar en el Sínodo de Obispos! El próximo Sínodo se titula: "Por una Iglesia sinodal: Comunión, participación y misión". Sínodo es una palabra griega (synodos) que significa reunion o asamblea. ¡El Papa Francisco ha llamado a todo el Pueblo de Dios a caminar juntos! Como Iglesia, nos escucharemos unos con otros, dialogaremos, oraremos juntos, ¡discerniremos juntos y tomaremos decisiones juntos con el propósito de proclamar el Evangelio de Jesucristo al mundo!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Synod is a Greek word meaning a meeting or assembly. This Synod is not just another meeting with oral presentations and written reports. This Synod is a process of journeying together. As the Church, we will listen to each other, dialogue with each other, pray together, discern together, and make decisions together for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world!
Pope Francis is asking each local diocese to gather — clergy, religious and laity — to first listen to each other’s joys and hopes, and griefs and anxieties (c.f. Gaudium et Spes no. 1). After we listen to each other, we are called to dialogue together on ways we can accompany each other as we seek to grow in holiness. Listening and speaking within the Church always involves prayer. We are listening, dialoguing, and praying together so that we can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. 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.
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The Synod on Synodality is a multi-year process of listening and dialogue beginning with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021.
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No, Synodality and the Synodal process are not about engaging others for the purpose of deciding matters through a parliamentary vote. Nor is the primary purpose of Synodality to introduce democratic methods into the Church, where the majority determines how the Church will act. Synodality is also not about strategic plans or managing pastoral parish ministries through objectives. Synodality is about hearing from the People of God, and allowing ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit as one Body of Christ so that we may go out together to proclaim the Gospel of life!
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Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together! We are called to dialogue with each other and pray together to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Synodality involves clergy, religious and laity listening, speaking, praying and discerning together placing the hopes and concerns of the People of God at the foot of the bishops who united with our Holy Father, decide matters of faith and morels to preserve the faith, and strengthen the Church throughout the world.
The Synodal process is meant to be simple, accessible and welcoming for all so that everyone, the poor, marginalized, most vulnerable and excluded of our society feel welcomed to engage with the entire People of God.
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Contact Us
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luisa-depooaustindiocese.orgSecretariat Dir. Life, Charity and Justice | Director of Life, Marriage and Family -
camille-garciaaustindiocese.orgSecretariat Director of Communications & IT; Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Lead
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