A Synodal Church on Mission

As the First Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was drawing to a close with the Concluding Mass on Sunday, Oct. 29, Pope Francis lifted his voice to remind us all of the fundamental cornerstone from which life continually springs forth: love.

He affirmed: “Loving God with our whole life and loving our neighbour as ourselves. Not our strategies, our human calculations, the ways of the world, but love of God and neighbour: that is the heart of everything. And how do we channel this momentum of love? I would propose two verbs, two movements of the heart, on which I would like to reflect: to adore and to serve. We love God through adoration and service.” 

He then shared his dream of the Church's identity - a Church that exists to be a servant to all, particularly the most vulnerable among us. A Church that doesn't require a certificate of 'good behaviour,' but instead, embraces, serves, and loves with open arms. The Church's true calling is to be "a Church with open doors that is a haven of mercy."

• Bishop McGrattan - spotted on Pope's Instagram
• Pope Francis' homily highlights here

A Letter to the People of God

With gratitude and hope, Synod 2023 participants have released a Letter to the People of God speaking to the experience of these last weeks: "Together, in the complementarity of our vocations, our charisms and our ministries, we have listened intensely to the Word of God and the experience of others." 

• ​Read Letter here

The Synthesis Report

16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops Participants. Photo: Vatican News.

The Synthesis Report at the conclusion of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality is published. Looking ahead to the second session in 2024, the text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse.

The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is pleased to share the Synthesis Report of the First Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, "A Synodal Church on Mission."

This "is not a final document, but an instrument at the service of ongoing discernment." We invite you, along with all the People of God, to continue to #WalkTogether as a #ListeningChurch by praying and reflecting with the synthesis report highlights below.

• Full Synthesis Report is available here in various languages
• Read Synod Briefing: 'A new way to be Church' - Vatican News
• Read Synod Report: A Church that involves everyone and is close to world's wounds - Vatican News

​Let’s continue our journey towards the Second Session of the 16th Assembly adoring our Lord and serving our sisters and brothers.