Diocese of Derry

Synod

The entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops! This Synod is entitled: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”

Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together. This Synod is not just another meeting with oral presentations and written reports. This Synod is a process of journeying together by listening, dialoguing, praying, discerning and making decisions together for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis is asking each local diocese to gather – clergy, religious and laity together- to listen to each other. The “goal” of this journeying together is not to create a new vision or pastoral plan with objectives. Rather, the goal of our journeying together is to be present with one another, to listen and learn with each other, and to grow closer to the Lord and His Church.

Irish Synodal Pathway
The process explained

Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon, member of the Irish Synodal Pathway task group, explains the two Synodal process currently taking places across Ireland. The Universal Synod and the Irish Synod.

Fr Eamonn also explains that "This process is not meant to be a burden on anyone. It is not meant to draw energy from the work going on in each parish as people attend the urgent needs of their own community"

Synod on Synodality
All you need to know

Do you have questions regarding the Synod on Synodality? Here's all you need to know - right from what does synodality mean to what can you do.

What are we being asked to do?

The Holy Father, Pope Francis is asking that the entire Church participate in this Synod. The faithful, clergy and religious are invited to pray, listen, and talk together with the Bishops before the 2023 gathering of Bishops in Rome. In our Diocese, we will pray, listen and talk with one another through parish and diocesan listening sessions.

"This is the start of our Synodal Journey"

Bishop Donal McKeown outlines the prayerful consultation process of Synodality, of walking together, of listening, of being led by the Holy Spirit to understand where the Lord is leading us.

Help for Parishes
Guidance and promotion materials

Parish Preparation
RESOURCE GUIDES & VIDEOS

'Listening' conversation resources, the Synod questions, help guides and videos

View Materials

Parish Promotion
LOGO, BANNERS...

Promotion materials in the lead up to the start of the Synod process in our diocese.
Banners for Churches, Prayer Cards, Posters and more.

View Materials

Parish Listening Session
TOOLKIT

This toolkit will help priests and parishes understand and implement the diocesan Synod plan.

View Listening Toolkit

Questions?

Each parish in the Diocese is being asked to have 'listening' conversations.

Facilitation training for those conversations are being held throughout the Diocese in January and February. If you have questions or require information on the Synod process please email:

synod@derrydiocese.org

Diocese of Derry Synod on Synodality Timeline

October 2021

Preparation

Appointment of Synod Diocesan Working Group.
Preparing materials for the consultation process.

October 2021

28 November 2021

Guided catechesis

Synodality as a journey in hope and expectation.
Guided catechesis each Sunday of Advent... view >
Sunday, 28^th November, 5^th, 12^th and 19^th December.

Early January 2022

Training

Training for every parish Synod facilitation group.

Early January 2022

Sunday, 16 January 2022

Listening

Sunday 16^th January 2022 to Sunday 13^th February 2022.
Period of local consultation and listening sessions.

Latest Synod News

The Net - January 2022

News The Net Synod

The January 2022 edition of 'The Net', the monthly publication sharing the fruits of the faith in our parish communities within the Diocese of Derry and beyond. Coverage in this month's edition includ...

18 January 2022

Homily - Baptism of the Lord - Bishop McKeown

News Bishop's Homilies and Statements Synod

It took us a fortnight to get through the Christmas season. The stories in the scripture readings during that period were about a baby but were laden with hints of what was to come for Jesus – his rej...

15 January 2022

Homily - Fourth Sunday of Advent C - Bishop McKeown

News Bishop's Homilies and Statements Synod

Sunday, 19 December 2021 We talk about Advent being the time when we prepare to welcome Christ into our world. But Christians do not just recall an event 2,000 years ago and then move on. We are...

20 December 2021

Homily - Third Sunday of Advent C - Bishop McKeown

News Bishop's Homilies and Statements Advent Synod

Sunday, 12 December 2021 Lent has its Laetare Sunday, and Advent has its Gaudete Sunday – a day in the penitential seasons when the faithful are encouraged to stick with the message of Advent, n...

13 December 2021

Homily - Second Sunday of Advent - Bishop McKeown

News Bishop's Homilies and Statements Advent Synod

Sunday, 5 December 2021 On this second Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves face to face with the strange character that is John the Baptist. According to the Gospels, he was the only child of a ...

06 December 2021

Homily - First Sunday in Advent - Bishop McKeown

News Bishop's Homilies and Statements Advent Synod

Sunday, 28 November 2021 There is one image that I like when it comes to explaining the various seasons of the Church's year. Just like a globe of the world, you cannot see all of it at once, so,...

28 November 2021

Walking together in hope - Bishop McKeown

News Bishop's Homilies and Statements Synod

Why a synodal process and why now? Advent is a time of expectation, awaiting the Lord's revelation in our midst. This year we start our synodal journey. The Lord is inviting us through Isaiah, John th...

26 November 2021

Synod Timetable for the Diocese of Derry

Bishop's Homilies and Statements Synod

Pope Francis has invited all Catholics to engage in discussion around 'synodality'. But what does this mean and how is the Irish Church responding? Bishop Donal McKeown shares how the Derry Diocese is...

15 November 2021

Prayer for the Synod

Synod

Adsumus Sancte Spiritus Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, the first word of the original Latin, meaning, "We stand before You, Holy Spirit," wh...

27 October 2021

Synod Parish Resources

Synod

Pope Francis has approved a new synodal programme for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops - the Synod, "For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission" Pope Francis i...

27 October 2021

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Safeguarding Questions?

A safeguarding concern or allegation should be directed to the Designated Liaison Person - Marie Gormley on +44 (0)75 9650 0793.

Diocese of Derry

Synod 2021-2023

Synod

The entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops! This Synod is entitled: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”