The Vatican released a new 45-page document for the next phase of Pope Francis' Synod listening sessions to listen to and engage with the world's Catholics. Reckoning with topics once considered taboo in the Catholic Church, including women's ordination, LGBTQ relationships, children of priests, sexism, and clergy sexual abuse, it is a comprehensive and candid expression of the Catholic Church's relationship with the modern world.
The document looks forward to ecclesial gatherings on every continent over the next six months, ahead of assemblies that will be held in Rome in October 2023 and October 2024.
We invite you to review the full document and an article from the National Catholic Reporter. Use the buttons below.
Pope Francis convened the XVI Ordinary Synod of Bishops for the Universal Church with the theme of Synodality. As we travel our parish journey of development, we'll accompany the wider church on this voyage "that offers us the opportunity to become a listening Church, to break out of our routine and pause from our pastoral concerns in order to stop and listen." Watch this space for more on this event but for now, we share this link to the Holy Father's speech of October 9, 2021 for the
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We areweak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
Come, Spirit of Love
The Pope's Concluding Prayer
at the Opening of the Synod
Come, Holy Spirit!
You inspire new tongues and place words of life on our lips: keep us from becoming a “museum Church”, beautiful but mute, with much past and little future. Come among us, so that in this synodal experience we will not lose our enthusiasm, dilute the power of prophecy, or descend into useless and unproductive discussions. Come, Spirit of love, open our hearts to hear your voice! Come, Holy Spirit of holiness, renew the holy and faithful People of God! Come, Creator Spirit, renew the face of the earth! Amen.