Synod and Synodality

The international symposium, “Towards a Fully Synodal and Missionary Church in Asia: Re-reading Ecclesia in Asia for the Jubilee Year”, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Ecclesia in Asia, was held on December 13-14, 2024, at St. John’s NAHS, Bangalore.

Pope Francis has appointed members to the XVI Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod, including Sister Simona Brambilla and María Lía Zervino, marking a historic shift as papal appointees are no longer required to be bishops on December 13, 2024.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, emphasized the wisdom and values of Indigenous communities as models for modern societies during his address at the Asian Forum on Celebrating Synodality and Indigenous Living Traditions in the Asian Church, which was held at the National Conference & Resource Center in Kathmandu, Nepal, from November 10 to 16, 2024.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan (AVC) holds second collection in Masses for typhoon those affected “Kristine”, according to a “Pastoral Instruction re Special Second Collection in all Sunday Masses for Assistance to Heavily Affected Persons, Families and Communities Caused by Tropical Storm ‘Kristine’,” issued by Bishop Moises M. Cuevas.

In a heartfelt letter to Catholics in the Middle East, Pope Francis has offered a message of solidarity and hope amid the ongoing violence and suffering in the region.

Pope Francis addressed a profound and heartfelt message to the newly elevated Cardinals, emphasizing their call to embody compassion and mercy in a world ravaged by suffering and injustice.

At the opening of the second session of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis underscored the importance of lay involvement in shaping a Church that is humble, inclusive, and guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Pope’s Video for the month of October prays for "for a shared mission," and calls on all faithful in whatever vocation they may have to do their best to contribute to a sense of co-responsibility in the Church, according to Vatican News.

Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay, has been appointed co-ordinator of the study group, evaluating the functioning and role of papal representatives in the church worldwide.

Prelates from the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference, Latin American Bishops Council, and Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar have gathered to identify common pastoral issues and a manner for cooperation in a synodal approach in Luxembourg on August 28-29.

In a synodal Church, we are encouraged to embrace new perspectives and approaches. During our last XXVI general chapter in Rome in 2021, I learned about an innovative process used in religious life.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh held a Synod and Synodality Seminar at the CBCB Centre in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, from June 27 to 29.

“In the sacrament, God invites the couple to make an act of faith, not just in each other, but in the God who calls them to build a family” said bishop David.

"To listen and to exchange experiences and ideas is paramount," said Bishop David.

“Learn to practice the art of communal discernment,” said the Pope to parish priests at the Synod.

Archbishop Peter Machado said, “We need to move from synod to synodality, which includes a change of mindset and attitude.”

Three Filipino clergymen were chosen to participate in a worldwide meeting of parish priests later this month in the Vatican.

Pope Francis began the year 2023 by mourning Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 and died on December 31, 2022.

These are guidelines with a concrete roadmap in which the deepening of synodality from a missionary perspective and the broadening of synodality experiences at the local level are the cornerstones on which the local communities are called to reflect.