by Tom Magill

The General Secretariat of the Synod with the approval of Pope Leo has published ‘Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod 2025-2028’. With this we begin a three year process during which the Church will become more synodal.

‘The local Churches and groupings of Churches are now called upon to implement, in their different contexts, the authoritative proposals contained in the Document through the processes of discernment and decision-making provided for by law and by the Document itself.’

Pathways is addressed principally to diocesan bishops and their synod teams, encouraging them to put into practice the teaching of the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality (FD).  It makes an appeal that the Final Document be fully understood and appreciated by those tasked with its implementation. They should ‘aim to examine new practices and structures that will make the life of the church more synodal’.

Vision

The introductory letter from Cardinal Grech offers an overall vision of what a synodal church should look like. It will be a missionary church that builds bridges and encourages dialogue, ever open to welcoming; constitutes a further act of reception of the Second Vatican Council, thus deepening its inspiration and reinvigorating its prophetic force for today’s world; shares responsibility with all the baptised; and contributes to dialogue and exchange of gifts between churches for the benefit of the whole church and its unity

Divided into four chapters, the 24-page document outlines the general approach which should be taken through reflection on the following:

• What is the implementation phase and what are its objectives?
• Who will participate in this phase and what are their tasks and responsibilities?
• How to engage with the 2024 synod assembly’s final document?
• What method and tools can help shape the implementation phase?

‘The point of reference is the Final Document, which expresses the consensus reached at the end of the discernment process by the Pastors from all the Churches and which, as part of the ordinary Magisterium of the Successor of Peter, commits the entire People of God by indicating the direction in which to proceed.’

Dr Tom Magill is a retired priest of the Diocese of Motherwell.

Photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash