The Synodal Process
Pope Francis wants to hear from the whole Church about what is happening in local parishes. He and the bishops would like to know what individuals think we should all be doing to help make our parishes better. The way he has proposed doing this is a synodal process. Synod means “journeying together” and it involves listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other in order to discern the path we are called to walk together.
The synod "is intended to inspire people to dream about the Church we are called to be, to make people's hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts, and restore strength to our hands for our common mission.” Synod Handbook
‘‘…we need a respectful, mutual listening, free of ideology and predetermined agendas…’’
‘‘…a protected space of community discernment…’’
‘‘…we listen, we discuss in groups but above all we pay attention to what the Spirit has to say to us…’’
Pope Francis - Let us Dream: the Path to a Better Future
Parish Synodal Questions
Approaches to the Synodal Pathway
Could you offer a response to the questions the Church has proposed?
Your words will contribute towards a whole-parish response from St Boniface, which we need to submit in March. Please see the questions below and submit responses via the form at the end of the page.
What changes need to be made - in myself, in our parish, in the Diocese - to make the Church’s mission today more vibrant and effective?
1. THE JOURNEYING COMPANIONS
How can we be more welcoming as a Christian community?
2. LISTENING
How can we be good listeners to those close to us and those outside the Church? To whom do we listen?
3. SPEAKING OUT
How can we be more honest in our dealings with eachother?
4. CELEBRATING
How might we celebrate better the Liturgy in our parish?
5. CO-RESPONSIBLE IN THE MISSION
How well do we work together as clergy and laity for the mission of the Church?
6. DIALOGUE IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY
How can our group, parish, diocese and the Church be more outward-facing?
7. WITH THE OTHER CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS
In what ways might we improve our dialogue and relationship with other Christians?
8. AUTHORITY AND PARTICIPATION
How can we make the Church more participatory and increase co-responsibility?
9. DISCERNING AND DECIDING
In a synodal style Church, what new processes of decision-making and decision-taking are needed? How transparent and accountable are the decisions made?
10. FORMING OURSELVES IN SYNODALITY
How do we form people to make them more capable of ‘journeying together’?