Video: Cardinal Tobin shares pre-synod message with faithful

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace be with you, your family and your community of faith.

I want to share a word with you before I depart for the second and final session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, which begins on Sunday, September 29.

The faithful of the Archdiocese of Newark have participated in this Synod ever since Pope Francis convened it in October 2021. We joined Catholics across the world in prayerfully listening to the Holy Spirit, who gathers the Church together in every age. Our contributions enriched the reflection of the First Session of the Synod, which took place last October, and I have little doubt that the listening sessions in this Archdiocese will benefit the work that begins this weekend.

The theme at the heart of Synod 2021-2024 is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission” – a call to joy and to the renewal of the People of God as we follow the Lord, always committed to serving His mission. The call to be missionary disciples is based on our common baptismal identity. It is rooted in the diversity of the contexts in which the Church is present and finds its unity in the one Father, the one Lord, and the one Spirit. It is a call to all the baptized, without exception.

The work of the second session is concerned with How — How to be a missionary synodal Church. What can we expect from the coming four weeks?

I foresee a further deepening of the shared understanding of the way of being  Church that is called synodality, a better focus on the practices of a synodal Church, and the proposal of some changes in canon law. Nonetheless, at this point, we cannot expect the answers to every question. In addition, the Second Session will invite the whole Church to undertake a path of conversion and reform. Along the way, other proposals will emerge.

My love for the Archdiocese of Newark compels me to participate fully in the Synod because I am convinced that we will benefit from the prayer, silence, listening and sharing that will take place. Ever since I began serving you in January 2017, I have been asking myself, as well as anyone else who loves our Church, “What is the Holy Spirit asking of us today?”

Over the summer and early fall, I have had some unique opportunities to listen. A group of sixty-some people from across the Archdiocese gave up four summer Saturdays to meet with me and other leaders to share hopes and dreams for the future of our Archdiocese. At the end of August, I met with our auxiliary bishops and other colleagues from the Pastoral Center here in Newark. And earlier this week, I spent a marvelous day praying and reflecting with 413 of our priests.

I am confident that I will have a lot to share with you in the remaining months of 2024.

Like last year, I will record a video of the Synod each week to keep you informed of what’s happening in Rome. Once I return to northern New Jersey, I will be able to share some elements of a way forward so our Archdiocese may more faithfully witness to Jesus and His Kingdom.

For now, please pray for all the members of the Synod that our hearts will be open to the Holy Spirit. Be sure of my love and my prayers for you. May God bless you and yours.