What is the Church in Ireland’s National Synodal Assembly on 17 October?

On Saturday, 17th October 2026, bishops, priests, religious and lay people from dioceses and Catholic organisations across Ireland will gather in Gormanston, Co Meath for a National Synodal Assembly.

The Assembly is a national gathering at which representatives of the Catholic Church in Ireland will pray, listen and discern together what God may be asking of the Church in Ireland at this time.

Why is the Assembly taking place?
The Assembly marks the culmination of five years of prayer, listening and local discernment through the Irish Synodal Pathway, which began in 2021.

During that time, people throughout the Church have been invited to share their experiences, hopes and concerns and to consider the central question:

"What does God want from the Church in Ireland at this time?"

The Assembly will consider what has emerged from this five-year process and help to identify priorities for the next stage of the Church's life and mission.

The word synodal means "walking together".

For the Catholic Church in Ireland, this means listening carefully to one another and reflecting and praying together about what we hear. Through this process, we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we carry out our shared mission of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is a time of prayerful listening and shared discernment through which bishops and delegates will seek to recognise where the Holy Spirit is leading the Church in Ireland.

The day will not simply be a conference or a series of speeches. Those attending will take part in prayer, conversation and communal discernment.

Their discussions will focus on seven areas identified through the five-year listening process:

• Belonging
• Co-responsibility and Lay Ministry
• Family
• Formation and Catechesis
• Healing
• Women
• Youth

The recommendations emerging from the Assembly will be received and discerned by the bishops of Ireland as they consider how its fruits can be carried forward.

A Working Document entitled Is not this what God asks of you? has been prepared to guide the Assembly. It brings together proposals developed by seven national Working Groups in response to what has been heard during the Synodal Pathway.

The document is not intended only for those attending the Assembly. Everyone is invited to read it, pray with it and reflect on the question that has accompanied the process from the beginning:

"What does God want from the Church in Ireland at this time?"

Read the Working Document for the National Synodal Assembly

Bishop Michael Router will attend the Assembly with seven delegates representing different areas of diocesan life:

• Very Rev Kevin McElhennon PP VF – Diocesan Council of Priests, Cappagh Parish Pastoral Council and Diocesan Synodal Team
• Mark Holloway – Maghera Parish Pastoral Council and Diocesan Synodal Team
• Anne Friel – Diocesan Synodal Team
• Dympna Kelly – Drumragh Parish Pastoral Council and Diocesan Synodal Team
• Lizzie Rea – Youth Director, Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, and Diocesan Synodal Team
• Áine Gallagher – Interim Director of Operations, Derry Diocesan Trust
• Sister Evelyn Fergus – Sister of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd and Diocesan Synodal Team

Please remember Bishop Michael and the diocesan delegates in prayer as they prepare for the Assembly. We are also invited to pray for everyone who will gather in Gormanston and that they will remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus,

You have called us together through Baptism and faith.

Make us a Church that proclaims your Gospel,
accompanies all who seek you,
heals the wounded,
walks with people on their journey,
and empowers all the baptised to share in your mission.

Guide the National Synodal Assembly and all who participate in it.

May we listen to one another,
discern your will,
and courageously follow where your Spirit leads.

Amen.

This prayer was prepared by the Archdiocese of Dublin.