As announced by Pope Francis earlier this year, the next Ordinary Synod of Bishops will take place in October 2023. The theme is synodality itself: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.” In preparation, the Vatican has approved a new three-stage process for the next gathering of the synod the purpose of which to encompass the whole Church at the diocesan, national and continental levels.

On Oct. 9 and 10, Pope Francis will open the three-year process to prepare for the 2023 Synod focusing on reform of the synodal process. Synodality, as defined by the International Theological Commission in 2018, is “the action of the Spirit in the communion of the Body of Christ and in the missionary journey of the People of God.” The pope is inviting all Catholics to synodality –  that is, listening to — and hearing — one another in all facets of church life (Catholic News Service). 

Join Bishop Walkowiak for the synod opening Mass Oct. 17:

To mark the opening of the synodal process in our diocese, Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate the 10 a.m. Mass on Oct. 17 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. All are welcome.

Also, WATCH MASS LIVE: on the diocesan website or Facebook. Mass will also be broadcast live locally on TV on WXMI Fox 17.

Diocesan Phase (October 2021 – April 2022)

During the diocesan phase which begins in October 2021, each bishop is asked to undertake a consultation process within his respective diocese. Each bishop is asked to appoint co-chairs to help him shepherd the diocese through this process. To assist in the synod, the Vatican will send dioceses a preparatory document, accompanied by a questionnaire, and a guide (known as a “vademecum”) with proposals for consultation.

The questions are categorized under 10 general themes, and people can respond to what is most relevant to their situation and “share with honesty and openness about their real-life experiences, and to reflect together on what the Holy Spirit might be revealing through what they share with one another,” the document said.

The responses to the questionnaires will be compiled into a diocesan synthesis for discussion at the episcopal conference level. In the U.S., this is the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). They will integrate the suggestions gathered during the diocesan level and combine them into a document for the entire United States.

Instrumentum laboris draft #1 created (April – September 2022)

Vatican officials will create a first draft of the synod’s instrumentum laboris, or working document, from the submitted texts.

Continental Phase (September 2022-March 2023)

In the second phase of the process, bishops gather on each continent to discuss the first draft of the instrumentum laboris and submit their thoughts to the Vatican. A second draft of the working document will be created from these texts and released by June 2023.

Synod of Bishops (October 2023)

The synodal assembly meets in Rome to discuss the second draft of the working document and produce a Final Document for Pope Francis’ review. Pope Francis decides on the publication of the Final Document.

Synod participants include Church leaders and delegates nominated by Pope Francis or their episcopal conference, in addition to Vatican department heads. The synodal assembly is held in accord with episcopalis communio, an apostolic constitution, issued by Pope Francis in 2018.