What’s a Synod?

Traditionally, synods have been a gathering of bishops from around the world to reflect on key issues or questions for the Church during a single event. Its purpose is to collectively pause and reflect on the issues that impact the Church faithfully living as the presence of Christ in the world.   

The Synod on Synodality is totally different! Pope Francis has challenged the Church to gather ALL the voices of the People of God, and especially to make sure to invite people who don’t always feel welcome or appreciated. And not only bishops will be attending the gathering in October. Lay women and men and religious will attend as well! But the real challenge for the Church is to become synodal. So, this is not just a one-time event, but to become an ongoing journey of making this attentive listening and sharing part of the very nature of the Church, to become our way of being together.

People answered the following questions:

• How is this journeying together happening in your parish?
• What steps does the Holy Spirit prompt us to take to get better at journeying together?
• What happiness have you experienced in the Church?
• What difficulties and challenges have you experienced?
• What insights do you have from these experiences?
• What ways do you think the Church needs to change or evolve?

Below are links to two reports that synthesize the answers heard from people. The first is specifically focused on the experiences of disability, life, and the Church in the Archdiocese of Newark and the second is the general report for the archdiocese. If you didn’t get a chance to participate in any of the listening sessions, you can share your thoughts and experiences in the survey link below.