Synodal Pathway

31 Mar 2021

The Synodal Pathway 

The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has invited the Church in Ireland to embark on a journey of renewal called a Synodal Pathway.  To date a Steering Committee has been appointed to facilitate progress and it is expected that Synodal Assembly/ies will be held within the next five years.

The current initial two-year phase of the Synodal Pathway in Ireland helpfully coincides with preparation for the Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops which will take place in Rome in 2023, entitled, For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission

Currently, the Synodal Pathway involves periods of prayer, listening and discernment, and a nationwide consultative conversation on the above theme.  This is allowing individuals and parishes, religious orders and associations as well as groups, movements and organisations – both within the Church and in Irish society – to share their insights into the life of the Church in Ireland, past, present and future.  It also includes personnel contributing to discussion and debate in related information sessions and educational programmes on the meaning and processes of ‘Synodality’. 

Using the Synodal Pathway website

This new Synodal Pathway website is live on www.catholicbishops.ie/synod.  This link can be shared on websites and social media pages to encourage people to participate and to keep up to date with news on the Synodal Pathway. The home page features a user-friendly menu with the following options:  

Background – This section outlines the background to the Synodal Pathway and shares a timeline from 2021 – 2025. 

Submissions – This section will feature the live submission opportunities. At the moment this section covers the initial submission request that is active from 5 April – 23 May 2021. 

FAQs – This section has answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the Synodal Pathway. 

News – News on the Synodal Pathway will be shared on this section. 

Reading and Resources – As we begin the period of prayer, listening and discernment, this section offers some recommended reading resources. 

Multimedia – The multimedia section will feature infographics, videos and podcasts relating to the Synodal Pathway. 

ENDS